Pakistan Endures Historic Test Defeat: First Team to Lose by Innings After Scoring 500+

In a stunning and unprecedented turn of events, Pakistan has suffered a historic defeat in Test cricket, falling to England by an innings and 47 runs in Multan. This loss marks a first in the 147-year history of Test matches, as Pakistan became the inaugural team to lose by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in their first innings.

England showcased their dominance throughout the match, declaring their first innings at a colossal 823-7. The highlight of their innings was Harry Brook’s sensational maiden triple century, complemented by an impressive 262 from Joe Root. Their formidable total set a daunting target for Pakistan, who began their second innings on the fifth day at 152-6, hoping for a miraculous turnaround.

However, hopes quickly faded as the Pakistani batsmen struggled against an effective England bowling attack. The absence of leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who was unable to bat due to illness, proved detrimental to Pakistan's chances. England's Jack Leach played a pivotal role in dismantling the lower order, claiming four wickets and sealing the victory for his team.

As the day progressed, Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal briefly gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope. Jamal, who bravely continued after being struck on the head by a bouncer from Brydon Carse, reached an admirable 55 not out. He was granted a lifeline when England's stand-in captain, Ollie Pope, dropped a difficult catch, marking England’s fifth dropped chance of the innings. However, Leach’s exceptional skills shone through when he executed a stunning catch off his own bowling to dismiss Shaheen Afridi and later stumped Naseem Shah, sealing the match.

With this defeat, Pakistan's woes deepened as they faced their sixth consecutive Test loss, all under the captaincy of Shan Masood, who took over from Babar Azam. The team has now lost all six matches since his appointment, including three against Australia away and two against Bangladesh at home. This ongoing struggle has raised concerns about the team's future in Test cricket.

Pakistan’s performance in Multan has severely affected their chances in the World Test Championship, leaving them at the bottom of the table with just two victories from eight matches. The team's inability to recover from such defeats has sparked discussions about the need for a thorough reassessment and rebuilding of their Test squad.

As the dust settles on this disheartening defeat, Pakistan faces an uphill battle to regain their standing in international cricket, with urgent changes needed to revitalize their performance in the longest format of the game.