The Multan track for 1st Test between Pakistan and England drew criticism from Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan on social media, who termed it as a ‘graveyard’ and ‘road’. Veteran England batters Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan lashed out the Multan pitch after Pakistan captain Shan Masood and opener Abdullah Shafique sublime centuries on Day 1 of the opening Test match.
After losing the Test series to Bangladesh, Pakistan decided to opt for a flat track for the series opener against England but faced criticism straightaway after the English pacers failed to find any assistance from the surface. However, the Multan track drew criticism from Pietersen and Michael Vaughan on social media, who termed it as a ‘graveyard’ and ‘road’.
Pakistan Cricket Team’s dismal performance in 1st Test at Multan
England have been at the forefront of Test cricket and have revolutionized it for good. At one point in time, Test cricket was perceived to be a dying format. But the England Cricket Team, under the leadership of skipper Ben Stokes and Head Coach Brendon McCullum have revived Test cricket with their aggressive style of play, popularly known as ‘Bazball’. England are currently touring Pakistan for a three-match Test series, a territory that they have conquered before.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) always finds itself embroiled in some controversy. The board has been called out time and again for their strange ways of administering cricket in the country. Pakistan recently lost the two-match Test series against Bangladesh on their home soil. This was Bangladesh’s first-ever Test series win against Pakistan and in Pakistan. With England touring Pakistan for a three-match Test series, the PCB did not want to take any chances and has produced a pitch that is nothing less than a road.
Pakistan eventually lost the first match on the flat pitch after one innings and 47 runs demolition though scoring 550 runs and England former commentator Michael Vaughan blasted Pakistan team for their dismal performances.
Not to forget the fact that England had defeated Pakistan in Pakistan 3-0 in their last series in 2022. The Multan Cricket Stadium is hosting the first Test match of the series and it looks like a track that has nothing for the bowlers. The PCB might have forced to produce such a wicket seeing the quality of their batters. Pakistan ended the first day’s play with 328 runs of the board. Former English captain and the winner of Ashes 2005, Michael Vaughan took to his X (formerly known as Twitter) account and called out the playing conditions of Multan.
Michael Vaughan slams Pakistan Cricket Team 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 out batted 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.
Michael Vaughan praises Harry Brook’s performance in Multan test.
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 England begins on October 15 at the same venue.