[Watch] Ben Stokes loses his bat and gets stumped on Day 4 of 2nd PAK vs ENG Test 2024
England captain Ben Stokes could not pull off a miracle in the run-chase as he was dismissed for 37 in the final innings on Day 4 (Friday, October 18) of the second Test against Pakistan in Multan. Chasing 297 for victory, the visitors started the day at 36/2 with Ollie Pope and Joe Root at the crease.
However, wickets tumbled even as Stokes battled with an array of sweeps and reverse sweeps. Finally, the England skipper's patience ran out as he charged down the wicket to slog over the mid-wicket region.
In the process, Stokes lost his bat and was stranded a long way down the pitch. Mohammad Rizwan completed a simple stumping off the bowling of Noman Ali.
Here is a video of his dismissal:
Stokes' dismissal was effectively the final nail in England's coffin as they slipped to 125/7.
The all-rounder had missed the first Test which England won by an innings margin but returned to lead the side in this outing. However, things went awry for him with the bat and on the field.
Stokes scored a combined 38 runs in the two innings, as England lost by a massive 152 runs.
"The ones who had success were the ones who put the spinners under pressure" - Ben Stokes
After England's defeat, Ben Stokes acknowledged that the batters needed to put the Pakistan spinners under more pressure on a challenging wicket in Multan.
Ben Duckett was the only England batter to cross 50. He scored a brilliant 114 in the first innings of the second Test.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Ben Stokes said (via Cricbuzz):
"If you look at the whole Test, the ones who had success were the ones who put the spinners under pressure. Duckett's hundred in the first innings showed us the way. I don't like to live by hindsight. You don't get them too often behind the wickets, you have to take those chances."
He added:
"In conditions like this, Potts and Carse kept charging in ball after ball. That's what you want. They were a big threat which a massive help. Good to get through this game, worked hard to get fit for this game. Looking forward to the next week now. It's been a great series so far."
The victory was Pakistan's first this year in Tests, breaking their six-match losing streak.
With the series tied at 1-1, the action shifts to Rawalpindi for the series decider, starting October 24 onwards.