Ben Duckett breaks Tim Southee's batting record with hundred in PAK vs ENG 2024 2nd Test
England opener Ben Duckett notched up his fourth Test on Day 2 of the second Test against Pakistan in Multan on Wednesday, October 16. With his ton, the left-hander also became the fastest to reach 2,000 Test runs in terms of balls taken.
Responding to Pakistan's first-innings total of 366, England went to stumps on Day 2 at 39-6. Duckett scored 114 off 129 balls, with the aid of 16 fours. During his fine innings, the southpaw brought up 2,000 Test runs in 2,293 balls, surpassing the previous record held by Tim Southee (2,418 balls).
Australia's Adam Gilchrist (2,483 balls) and the Indian duo of Virender Sehwag (2,759 balls) and Rishabh Pant (2797 balls) complete the top list of batters who have been fastest to 2,000 Test runs in terms of balls faced.
Following his knock against Pakistan on Day 2 in Multan, Duckett has 2,026 runs in Test cricket from 2,325 balls faced, averaging 42.20 at a strike rate of 87.13. The 29-year-old added 73 runs for the opening wicket with Zak Crawley (27). Duckett and Ollie Pope (29) added 52 for the second wicket.
Pakistan's off-spinner Sajid Khan led a brilliant fightback for the hosts in the Test, picking up four wickets, which included the scalp of the centurion in England's first innings. At stumps on Day 2 in Multan, Jamie Smith was batting on 12 and Brydon Carse on 2, with England trailing Pakistan by 127 runs.
"We're definitely not going to play for a draw" - Duckett
While England lost a bit of momentum following the loss of quick wickets late in the day, Duckett asserted that the visitors will continue to push for a win. He stated that Pakistan are vulnerable and can collapse in their second innings.
The left-handed batter told Sky Sports (as quoted by ESPNcricinfo):
"We bat all the way down. I think it's going to be really important that we look to score runs. We know on this pitch, it's not going to be a draw and we're definitely not going to play for a draw. Runs are going to be so, so vital… That first hour, if we can try and get as close as we can, we know that they [Pakistan] can crumble."
Earlier, Pakistan resumed their first innings in Multan at 259-5 and were bowled out for 366. Left-arm spinner Jack Leach finished with 4-114, while Carse claimed 3-50 in 20 overs.