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[Watch] Chris Woakes Bamboozles Abdullah Shafique With A Beauty In Multan Test

Abdullah Shafique departs [Source: @CallMeSheri1/X.com]Abdullah Shafique departs [Source: @CallMeSheri1/X.com]

Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique had hopes of making a big impact in the second innings of the first Test against England in Multan. After scoring a century in the first innings, he walked in with confidence. But cricket, as always, had surprises in store. On the very first ball of the second innings, bowled by England’s Chris Woakes, Shafique’s stay at the crease came to an abrupt end, departing for a golden duck.

England had already put a massive 823/7 on the board in their first innings, and they were looking for quick wickets to pile pressure on Pakistan. Chris Woakes was handed the new ball, and he did not disappoint. The very first ball he bowled to Shafique swung beautifully, catching the batter off guard. The ball, full on the off-stump, swung in sharply. Shafique, not getting his footwork right, tried to drive but left a gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaked through and shattered his off-stump.

As Shafique watched his off-stump cartwheel, the hosts were left in shock. It was the worst possible start for Pakistan, as their key opener walked back without scoring. Shafique’s golden duck gave England the upper hand early in Pakistan’s second innings. It was an immediate blow, and England seized the momentum, adding to the pressure Pakistan was already under after England’s mammoth first-innings total.


England Declare Their First Innings At 823

Earlier in the day, England declared their first innings at a towering 823/7 in just 150 overs. Led by a record-breaking partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook, the visitors took control of the game. Root scored a career-best 262, while Brook smashed 317, becoming the sixth Englishman to score a double century. Their partnership of 454 for the fourth wicket completely deflated Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Despite early wickets, England’s batters took full advantage of the flat pitch, with contributions from Zak Crawley (78) and Ben Duckett (84). The carnage only ended when England declared, giving Pakistan a daunting task ahead.

At the time of writing, Pakistan trail by 251 runs.