Ben Duckett, England’s top-scorer in their first innings of the ongoing second Test in Multan, maintained that the visitors would continue with a positive brand of cricket even against Pakistan’s mystery-spinner Abrar Ahmed, returned 7/114 on debut on Day 1 of the ongoing second Test against in Multan.
Abrar was handed the ball in just the ninth over of his debut and castled Zak Crawley on the fifth delivery he bowled – a googly that breached the right-hander’s defence – to earn his maiden Test wicket.
The 24-year-old then trapped Duckett leg-before for 63 to break a 79-run second-wicket stand involving Ollie Pope, and accounted for the latter, Joe Root and Ben Stokes too, to round off a memorable outing.
“I can only talk individually and I obviously had my plans for him. He was basically a leg-spinner who had a good googly; there was no real mystery to it. He bowled beautifully today and I’m sure we’ll have our plans in the second innings – but I’m pretty sure that we won’t be blocking it,”
Duckett told Sky Sports.
Ahmed bagged 7/114 – the third-best bowling returns by a Pakistan bowler on Test debut – in England’s first innings effort of 281 all-out.
Duckett stated that sweep would be his go-to stroke against Abrar once again, when he walks in to bat in the second innings.
“There was limited footage, mainly on him bowling in the nets here, and not much to left-handers. Personally, I’d rather not know all of his tricks because I’d be worried and thinking about what he can do.
I’d rather focus on what I can do to him and when you’re looking to sweep – and he generally bowls quite slow – it doesn’t really matter which way it’s turning.”
England bundled out Pakistan for 202 in their first innings, with Jack Leach leading the way with 4/98, helping visitors gain a 79-run lead.
