Fri Oct 11 10:03:30 UTC 2024: ## England Seal Historic Victory in Multan, Pakistan Crushed Despite First Innings Mammoth Score

**Multan, Pakistan:** England secured a historic victory in the first Test against Pakistan in Multan, winning by an innings and 55 runs. This victory marks England’s fourth consecutive Test win in Pakistan, a remarkable feat given their previous struggles in the country.

The match saw a dramatic turnaround after Pakistan scored a record-breaking 550 runs in their first innings. Despite the monumental score, England fought back fiercely, led by Joe Root’s masterful 241 and Harry Brook’s sensational 153. This allowed England to set a target of 583 for Pakistan, a near insurmountable challenge even on a relatively flat pitch.

The Pakistani batsmen struggled against England’s disciplined bowling attack. Jack Leach was the star of the show, claiming a match haul of 7 wickets, including a crucial four-wicket burst in the second innings. Brydon Carse, making his Test debut, impressed with his pace and aggression, claiming valuable wickets and causing the Pakistani batsmen considerable discomfort.

The victory was further amplified by the fact that Pakistan became the first team in Test history to lose by an innings after scoring 500 runs in their first innings. The result highlights the growing dominance of England’s “Bazball” approach, which encourages aggressive and attacking cricket.

Speaking after the match, England captain Ollie Pope praised his team’s resilience and determination, stating: “We knew the way to win this game was to put a mammoth score on the board, so credit to Rooty and Brooky for their skill, fitness and determination.”

Pakistan captain Shan Masood acknowledged England’s superior performance, stating: “We’re getting in good positions but we’re struggling to set the game up. The trick for us is to learn from England, who found out ways to get those 20 wickets.”

The second Test is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Multan. Both teams will be hoping to make changes to their squad, with England likely to bring in Matthew Potts for the injured Chris Woakes. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be searching for ways to improve their performance and avoid another humiliating defeat.

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