Right then, that’s a wrap on Day 2 of this second Test! Pakistan holds the upper hand and will aim to dictate terms on Moving Day. Day 3, on October 17th, promises to be crucial for both sides and is set to deliver more exciting red-ball action. The first ball will be bowled at 5 am GMT, but be sure to join us early for all the pre-match buildup. Until then, it’s cheers and goodbye!

Brydon Carse made an immediate impact right after the Lunch break, striking on the very first ball to break the frustrating partnership, which Jack Leach soon wrapped up, ending Pakistan’s innings at 366. In response, England’s openers came out aggressively, surviving a few close calls to build a solid 73-run stand before Zak Crawley departed. Ollie Pope then settled in alongside Ben Duckett, who continued his attacking approach, bringing up his half-century. The duo saw England through to the session break at 88/1 in just 17 overs.

Earlier, in a thrilling start to Day 2, England made an early impact, dismissing both overnight batters to momentarily take control of the match. But just when the momentum seemed firmly in their grasp, Aamer Jamal and Noman Ali stepped up with a determined, unbeaten 49-run stand. Their dogged resistance not only blunted England’s attack but also swung the pendulum back in Pakistan’s favour frustrating the bowlers and ended the first session on an excitingly balanced note. 

The man of the moment, the centurion Ben Duckett is down for a quick chat. He starts off by saying that playing spin was always his strength. Continues that he enjoys opening the innings with Zak Crawley. Adds that his main strategy was to keep the pressure on the bowlers which certainly helped him build a strong figure on the board. Ends up saying that the first session of Day 3, the Moving Day, would be a big one for them and he hopes that his side bowls well in the second inning.

Throughout the day, Pakistan have been anxiously awaiting the moment when the pitch would start to spin or keep low, justifying their decision to field with only one pacer. Suddenly, the conditions have come to life, and their spinners have discovered a rhythm, ready to hunt in packs. With England now trailing by another 127 runs, Pakistan will be eager to capitalize on this revitalized pitch and swiftly remove the final four wickets, aiming to take the lead before heading into bat again. On the other hand, England face a daunting challenge, tasked with both countering the spinners and scoring enough runs to overcome the deficit.

Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett launched the final session with confidence, expertly capitalizing on some wayward deliveries, particularly from Aamer Jamal. However, skipper Shan Masood's decision to reintroduce Sajid Khan immediately paid dividends, as the off-spinner struck in his very first over of the new spell, breaking the partnership by dismissing Ollie Pope. As the session progressed, the variable bounce began to create half-chances for Pakistan, but both Duckett and Root stood firm. Duckett displayed remarkable skill, using sweeps and reverse sweeps to counter the spinners, and brought up a brilliant century off just 120 balls. Root looked solid until an unfortunate miscue saw him drag one back onto the stumps, seemingly awakening the demons of the pitch alongside some tight bowling from the spinners. Sajid Khan then tore through England's middle order, and with Noman Ali joining in the fray, they orchestrated a dramatic collapse that brought Pakistan right back into the game, and perhaps even put them ahead at this moment! 

SESSION SUMMARY - 36 Overs, 151 Runs, 5 Wickets. Sajid Khan and Pakistan all of a sudden have seized the English batting lineup by the scruff of its neck, unleashing a breathtaking collapse that only few could have predicted as the day’s play draws to a close. This exhilarating turn of events has completely turned the match on its head, propelling Pakistan ahead in the contest as they head back. From a solid 211/2, England have plunged to a staggering 225/6 in less than three overs, sending shockwaves rippling through their camp. However, Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse stepped up well to ensure there were no further casualties ending the day at 239/6 with England still trailing by 127 runs.