“What is Pakistan going to gain by producing such highways?” – Former India cricketer reacts to Multan pitch for 2024 PAK vs ENG 1st Test
Former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh has slammed Pakistan over the Multan wicket in their opening Test against England. The 51-year-old called the pitch a 'highway' as only two wickets fell and 396 runs were scored on Day 3 (Wednesday, October 9). Notably, only 13 wickets have fallen and a mammoth 1,144 runs were scored in the first three days.
The Test match has already witnessed five centuries – Joe Root, Harry Brook, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, and Agha Salman. Meanwhile, no bowler has managed a five-wicket haul on the belter.
Dodda Ganesh, who has represented India in four Tests and one ODI, wrote on X:
“What is Pakistan going to gain by producing such highways for every test match?”
Earlier in the day, former England player Kevin Pietersen slammed the pitch in Multan for the second time in the Test match. He took to X and wrote:
"Still a bowlers graveyard! If this wicket doesn’t crumble and produce a result, it’s helping DESTROY Test cricket."
Notably, Pakistan are known to prepare flat decks. The Men in Green have failed to win a single game from their last 10 home Tests. The Shan Masood-led side recently lost to Bangladesh by a 0-2 margin.
“Try to bowl them out on Day 5 pitch” – Ben Duckett backs England to beat Pakistan in Multan Test
England batter Ben Duckett, meanwhile, has backed the visitors to beat Pakistan in the first Test despite batting-friendly conditions in Multan. The southpaw said that the hosts would be keen to get a healthy lead on Day 4 before trying to bowl them out on the final day.
He said (via Cricbuzz):
“We have all day tomorrow, go past them and then try to bowl them out on a day 5 pitch.”
At stumps on Day 3, England were 492/3, with Brook (141 off 173) and Root (176 off 277) at the crease. The duo have already shared a 243-run partnership for the fourth wicket. They are trailing by 64 runs in the first innings.
Batting first, the hosts posted 556 in their first innings. Skipper Shan Masood top scored with 151 off 177 balls, hitting two sixes and 13 boundaries. Agha Salman and Abdullah Shafique also chipped in with 104* (119) and 102 (184), respectively. Jack Leach bagged three wickets for the visitors, while Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse picked up two wickets apiece.
Ben Stokes-led England beat Pakistan by 26 runs during their last Test in Multan during the 2022-2023 series.
Follow the PAK vs ENG 1st Test live score and updates here.