Ben Duckett Warns of Pakistan's Fragility in Pivotal Multan Test

In the gripping second Test of the series, England's batsman Ben Duckett has voiced his concerns over Pakistan's batting resilience, suggesting they may falter under pressure during their second innings in Multan. England concluded the second day of the match trailing by 127 runs, with six wickets remaining, on a pitch that has shown signs of significant wear from the first Test.

Throughout their four Tests in 2024, Pakistan has demonstrated a pattern of collapsing in the third innings after batting first, with scores of 115 against Australia in Sydney, 146 and 172 against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, and most recently, 220 against England in a previous Multan encounter. Duckett, who contributed a substantial 114 to England's response to Pakistan's 366, believes the deteriorating pitch could exacerbate these issues.

"The importance of scoring runs on this pitch cannot be overstated," Duckett emphasized in an interview with Sky Sports. "We're aware that a draw is unlikely, and we're certainly not aiming for one. We're focused on scoring, knowing that the first hour will be crucial in narrowing the gap. We're confident that Pakistan could crumble if we apply the right pressure."

With England leading the series 1-0 and having won the previous series 3-0, Duckett is optimistic about his team's chances. "The pressure is on them. We've got the momentum, and we're here to keep fighting. If we can restrict them to a chase of around 200 or less, we believe we have a strong chance of winning."

Duckett also highlighted the pitch's increasing favor towards spinners as the day progressed, suggesting that it will continue to deteriorate. "The pitch is changing, and our seamers, Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts, were exceptional in the first innings. We'll leverage their skills again in the second innings to exploit any variations in bounce."

Sajid Khan, who claimed four wickets for 86 runs, reflected on Pakistan's spinners' strategy, noting that they had adjusted their pace to find success. "There's a specific area outside the off stump that's turning, and at a slower pace, around 67-68 kph, we can get more purchase. Bowling wider outside the stumps at a slower pace is where we can exploit the pitch's cracks."

As the Test match continues, all eyes will be on how both teams navigate the challenging pitch conditions in Multan, with Duckett's words ringing in the ears of cricket fans worldwide.