ENG vs PAK, 2nd Test, Day 3 Review: England wrap up Pakistan inside three days to level the series

After winning the first Test so comfortably, no one expected Pakistan to go down with a performance like this in the second Test. But as it turned out, England were clinical and ruthless across all the departments which helped them win the game by an innings and 55 runs.

The 3rd day began with some magic flowing out of Jos Buttler ‘s bat. It was imperative for their side to finish with a decent lead and ensure there’s enough pressure on the visitors. As it turned out, Buttler hammered the bowlers to all parts and earned England a 189-run lead heading into the second innings.

Things began on a decent note for Pakistan, who scalped Sam Curran very early on the day. The youngster, who was celebrating his 20th birthday, did stay in the middle for a good period. He whacked a few boundaries en route to a 38-ball 20. England, at that point, had a lead of 145.

Buttler then took charge and completed a fifty. He scored 11 boundaries and 2 sixes on his way to an unbeaten 111-ball 80, which saw England post 363 runs. Despite Broad and Anderson contributing just 9 runs collectively, Buttler’s heroics ensured they garnered 44 runs after Curran’s wicket.

Faheem Ashraf returned with three wickets for the visitors whilst Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Amir scalped two wickets each.

Abysmal batting show helps England win the game easily

It really was a poor performance from the Pakistani batters in the second innings. If their show in the first innings was bad, this was horrendous. They lacked application and the desire to win the game, which eventually cost them a chance to clinch the series.

It all began with the wicket of Azhar Ali, who shuffled a little too much in the crease and Anderson hit the bullseye, middle stump off cartwheeling! Anderson next picked up the wicket of Haris Sohail, which happened to be his 540th wicket in Test cricket and he went past the birthday boy Wasim Akram’s record. He’s inching ever so close to Glenn McGrath’s iconic 571-tally.

Asad Shafiq was the next to walk back just before the lunch break, giving away his wicket cheaply to Stuart Broad. It was a great chance was the youngster Imam-ul-Haq and Usman Salahuddin to prove their worth and they did get off to a great start.

After the lunch break, they showed great composure and were batting brilliantly. But Imam’s wicket triggered another collapse which pretty much settled the deal for England. Imam and Usman added 42 runs for the 4th wicket before young Dominic Bess picked up his first wicket in International cricket.

Pakistan then lost another couple of big wickets in quick succession. Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and their talisman in the middle order in the last few weeks, Shadab Khan, walked back in a span of three overs. The victory was fast approaching despite some resilience shown by Salahuddin.

His effort came to an end in an abrupt way as he hit it straight to the one fielder at mid-on whilst he could’ve easily avoided that. The next couple of wickets were a mere formality despite Abbas and Amir trying their best to stay in the middle. Broad eventually earned the final scalp and Englanlevelleded the series 1-1 in the most ruthless way possible.

Brief Scores

Pakistan first innings: 174 all out in 48.1 overs (Shadab Khan 52; Stuart Broad 3/38, James Anderson 3/43)

England first innings: 363 all out in 106.2 overs (Alastair Cook 46, Jos Buttler 80*, Dominic Bess 49; Mohammad Amir 2/70, Faheem Ashraf 3/60)

Pakistan second innings: 134 all out in 46 overs (Usman Salahuddin 33; Dominic Bess 3/33, Stuart Broad 3/28)

England won by an innings and 55 runs.