Ben Stokes and England lost the 2nd Test vs Pakistan by 152 runs in Multan, giving the hosts their first victory at home in over 3 years.
England captain Ben Stokes summed up his team’s woes on Day 4 of their 2nd Test against Pakistan in Multan on Friday. Chasing 297 to win the game and seal the series with a 2-0 lead, the visitors are already 7 wickets down with more than 160 runs to win.
Stokes was looking good, smashing 37 off 36 balls to take the attack to Pakistan after a spate of early wickets on Day 4.
However, he charged down the track to Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali but Stokes bat went flying out his hand as Mohammad Rizwan completed an easy stumping. The wicket was also Noman Ali’s fifth wicket of the innings. Stokes dismissal was so comical it went viral on social media.
WATCH Ben Stokes lose his bat on Day 4 of 2nd Test vs Pakistan HERE…
The bat goes flying and Rizwan does the rest behind the stumps 🎯
Noman Ali outfoxes the England captain ☝️#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/Q2a2GtfmsV
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 18, 2024
Pakistan stuck to their spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan on a turning track and England had no answer to their twin spinners. Resuming at 36 for 2, the visitors lost the wickets of Ollie Pope, Joe Root and 1st Test’s triple centurion Harry Brook to slump to 78 for 5.
Only two Pakistan bowlers were employed in the second innings till the 32nd over with Noman Ali taking 6 wickets out of the first 8 and Sajid Khan grabbing the other two.
All-rounder Brydon Carse tried to put up some resistance, smashing three sixes while scoring 27 but even he succumbed to the spin of Noman Ali. The 38-year-old grabbed is 7th wicket when he induced an inside edge of Jack Leach as England lost their 9th wicket for 144 runs.
It was also Noman’s 10th wicket in the Test match – his first-ever 10-wicket haul in his 16th match for Pakistan. He ended up with career-best figures of 8/46 with Shoaib Bashir falling first ball.
Pakistan ended up winning the match by 152 runs and won their first Test match at home after more than 3 years time.