Multan Test: Zak Crawley fifty leads England's reply after Pakistan's 556 on Day 2

Pakistan amassed 556 in their first innings, while England's restructured top order comfortably reached 96 for one by the end of a lively second day in the opening Test in Multan on Tuesday.

In Short

• England trail Pakistan by 460 runs on Day 2
• Pakistan amassed 556 in their first innings
• England top order comfortably reached 96 for one

Salman Agha became Pakistan's third centurion, solidifying their commanding position in Multan. England then faced a turbulent period, losing Ben Duckett to injury and captain Ollie Pope for a golden duck, leaving the visitors struggling to gain a foothold in the first match of the series. At stumps on Day 2, England (96/1) trail Pakistan (556) by 460 runs with nine wickets in hand, as both sides gear up for another gripping day of cricket in Multan.

Pakistan's batting lineup proved formidable as they extended their innings deep into the second day. Salman Agha became the third player from his side to score a century, joining Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique, who had laid the groundwork on Day 1 with their brilliant knocks. Salman's aggressive stroke play in the final session, where Pakistan added 118 runs in 26 overs, solidified their dominance before they were bowled out.

Pakistan vs England 1st Test, Day 2: Highlights

England's bowlers struggled in the sapping Multan heat, with debutant Brydon Carse securing his first Test wicket and Jack Leach toiling for figures of 3 for 160. However, there were key missed opportunities that hampered England's efforts, including dropped catches and missed stumping.

The morning session saw Pakistan's lower order add valuable runs. Naseem Shah's gritty 33, including three sixes, frustrated England as he shared a 64-run partnership with Saud Shakeel (82). Saud, who fell just short of his century, was one of Carse's victims. The hosts' tail wagged, further stretching England's time in the field.

England's top-order reshuffle became necessary after Ben Duckett injured his thumb while taking a catch to dismiss Pakistan's last man, Abrar Ahmed. Duckett's absence saw stand-in captain Ollie Pope open with Crawley, but Pope's stay was brief as he was dismissed for a duck by Aamer Jamal, courtesy of a stunning one-handed catch at midwicket.

Zak Crawley, however, seized the moment. Displaying aggressive intent from the start, he punished Pakistan's pace attack, smashing boundaries at will. His half-century came off just 55 balls, setting the tone for England's reply. Joe Root, batting at No. 3, provided solid support with an unbeaten 32, as England's pair shared an unbroken 92-run partnership by the close.

England will hope Crawley and Root can carry their momentum into Day 3, with Duckett expected to bat later in the innings. Meanwhile, Pakistan will look to capitalize on their formidable first-innings total and make inroads into England's batting line-up.