"This is the worst Pakistan side I can remember" - Michael Vaughan after 1st PAK vs ENG 2024 Test
Former England captain Michael Vaughan underlined the current Pakistan side as the worst he has seen in history, given how comprehensively they lost the first Test in Multan. Simultaneously, Vaughan said he was in awe of England, who scored at well above five runs an over by playing risk-free cricket.
Pakistan created an unwanted record by becoming the first side in Test history to lose by an innings after scoring over 550 in their first dig. Despite posting 556 after batting across almost two days, England outbatted them by amassing 823/7 declared in the first innings. On what was a docile surface, the hosts collapsed to 220 in their second essay to lose the Test.
In his column for The Telegraph, the 49-year-old observed the bowling attack was quite disciplined with role clarity standing out the most. Vaughan stated:
"This is the worst Pakistan side I can remember. But to make 823 for seven at 5.5 runs an over, while taking few risks and looking in total control, is very special. The most impressive thing for me was the way the bowling attack combined. You could tell what everyone’s role was. And they stuck to their task gallantly and were right up for the challenge, which is exactly what Brendon McCullum wants to see."
Nevertheless, Michael Vaughan expressed doubts about Shoaib Bashir being England's first-choice spinner over Jack Leach, who was superior in Multan, taking seven scalps.
"The one selection point I was not sure about at the start of the summer was opting for Shoaib Bashir over Leach as the front-line spinner. I can see Bashir’s potential, but Leach outbowled him in Multan, and had a very good season for Somerset. I am a bit old school with spin bowling. Your finger spinner just needs to bowl, bowl, bowl. That is the way to learn, get used to conditions, make subtle variations to your release point, and angle of attack. Bashir just has not bowled that much this summer."
Bashir played in all six Tests in the summer, while Leach was not in any of those squads. However, the left-arm spinner forced his way back into the squad for the Pakistan tour with some match-winning spells for Somerset in County Championship.
"His method means he looks like he has all the time in the world" - Michael Vaughan on Harry Brook
With Harry Brook creating history by scoring 317, Vaughan remarked that he looks ready for tougher challenges. He continued:
"Brook is another who will face tougher challenges, but that was a very special performance. His method means he looks like he has all the time in the world, three or four options to every ball. He has developed this year, in his fitness and mindset, and is right up there with the best in the world across all formats."
Although Vaughan reckons Brook is a Kevin Pietersen-clone, he feels getting a triple-hundred at a run-a-ball was surreal.
"There is a bit of Kevin Pietersen in him. Pietersen could play remarkable innings, but he never scored a triple hundred in Tests. Make no mistake, we all played on flat pitches against average attacks like this. But no one got 300 at a run-a-ball. That is staggering, as is the fact that England won this game in such style," Vaughan concluded.
The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh begins on October 15 at the same venue.