England slip late against Pakistan after Duckett century

Late wickets have England at risk of conceding a first-innings lead in the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, despite Ben Duckett scoring a brisk century on Wednesday.

After beginning on 259/5, Pakistan were able to add a little over 100 runs to their total in the morning of day two before Jack Leach wrapped up the tail for 366 all out.

English openers Duckett and Zak Crawley then began with intent, racing out to a 73-run partnership from the first 12 overs.

When Crawley fell for 27, Duckett held firm and received good company from Ollie Pope (29) and then Joe Root (34).

The opener brought up an attacking century, and at 211/2 with stumps in sight, England were on track for another enormous first-innings total.

CRICKET NEWS: ENGLAND CLINCH HISTORIC TEST VICTORY OVER PAKISTAN

That is, until Pakistan’s gamble on four spinners paid off.

Sajid Khan and Noman Ali bagged four wickets in quick succession to leave the visitors reeling at 225/6, forcing Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse to batten down the hatches and grind out the nine remaining overs until the close of play.

Cricket betting sites now have Pakistan as -151.52 favourites to win the Test, with England paying +160 for a victory.

But centurion Duckett is confident that, one way or another, the game will move forward on day three.

“Tomorrow will be a big hour in the morning,” he said.

“The game’s going to move forward.

“Every half an hour moving forward, the pitch will only get older.

“It was a big toss. We know the pitch will get harder to bat on, and we’ll be batting last, so tomorrow morning will be huge.

“Hope to bowl well in the second innings, get a collapse.”

Pakistani spinner Khan, who took four wickets on day two, also believes the pitch will dictate play over the coming days.

“There’s a patch slightly wider outside the off stump that was producing turn, and at a particular pace,” he said.

“We were bowling a little too quickly, but if you slow it down to 67-68km/h, that’s when you got purchase.

“If you bowl at particular spots at 90-plus, you’ll only get the odd break.

“But there’s nothing in it for the spinner if you’re bowling within the stumps.

“If you bowl wider outside the stumps, and slow, that’s where the cracks are, and that’s what we seek to exploit.”

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