Pakistan cricketer Aamer Jamal took a stunner to provide a perfect start for the hosts Pakistan during England’s first innings of the Test series opener. 

Pakistan are busy to host the three-match Test series against England, which is a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. Multan is hosting the Test series opener from Monday (October 7).

After choosing the bat first, Pakistan batters dominated in the first innings. Thanks to three centuries, opener Abdullah Shafique (102), captain Shan Masood (151), and the no. 8 batter Salman Agha (104*), the hosts scored 556 runs before losing their last wicket.

Watch: Richa Ghosh takes stunning catch to dismiss Pakistan captain

Incredible Aamer Jamal took a one-handed catch

Due to an on-field injury, opener Ben Duckett didn’t come to bat on the second day. Captain Ollie Pope took the opening batting role along with the opener Zak Crawley. However, it didn’t work well as Pope was dismissed very early, thanks to a blinder catch by Aamer Jamal.

Naseem Shah started his spell during the second over of England’s first innings. On his second ball of the match, Shah delivered a shorter ball, which Pope attacked. However, at the mid-off, the 28-year-old all-rounder Aamer Jamal took a brilliant catch by timely stretching his right hand to successfully grab the ball.

Naseem Shah strikes with a perfect start exactly what Pakistan needed at this moment. Aamir Jamal stunning catch is nothing short of sensational. Truly brilliant fielding 🏏🙌

#PAKvsENG #PAKvENG

pic.twitter.com/ybIOylKO3D

— 𝔸𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕪❁ (@wordsbyher_) October 8, 2024

England trailing by 460 runs

It was a perfect start for Pakistan as Pope scored a duck and England were battling at 4/1. However, that dismissal was the only joyful moment for the hosts in England’s innings of the day. Opener Crawley and the former captain Joe Root successfully handled the early situation very well and ended the day at 96/1 in 20 overs. 

The opener Crawley scored run-a-ball 64 not out with 11 fours. Meanwhile, Root was unbeaten at 32 runs off 54 balls with the help of two fours. 

At the stump of the second day, England are trailing by 460 runs. 

Ollie Pope reached his sixth Test century on Day 1 of the second Test at Trent Bridge against the West Indies. Despite not being a fluent knock, it held immense significance for England, especially as Pope had to step in during the very first over following Zak Crawley’s dismissal for a duck.

Pope initially played second fiddle to Ben Duckett during their century partnership for the second wicket. While Duckett sped ahead to score the fastest fifty by an England opener in Test cricket, Pope patiently bided his time. The pair put together a 105-run stand off just 112 balls, with Pope contributing 31 runs off 53 deliveries. There was never any doubt about Pope’s form heading into the Nottingham Test, especially after his brisk 57 in the first Test’s only innings for England.

At Nottingham, Pope adopted a more cautious approach. Between deliveries 31 to 60, he registered a false shot percentage of 33.3%, focusing on absorbing the pressure while scoring just 10 runs, all the while watching Duckett dominate from the other end. This disciplined approach showcased Pope’s adaptability and resilience, crucial for England’s innings.

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In-depth Analysis of Ollie Pope’s Ton on Day 1

Ollie Pope’s innings was marked by some luck as he was dropped twice around the lunch break. On the penultimate ball of the first session, Alick Athanaze missed a sharp chance to dismiss Pope for 46. Then, five overs into the second session, Jason Holder failed to grasp a straightforward catch at second slip, giving Pope another life at 54.

With West Indies’ bowlers being inconsistent throughout the day, Pope’s task became easier. After the second reprieve, he capitalized on the loose bowling, scoring 65 off 76 balls with a false shot percentage dropping to just 6.5%. This phase of his innings was characterized by a mix of controlled aggression and careful shot selection.

Pope had walked in with England struggling at 0/1 within the first three balls of the innings. By the time he was dismissed in the final session, he had steered England to a strong position at 281/5, laying a solid foundation for the team. Alzarri Joseph eventually claimed Pope’s wicket with a good length delivery, targeting an area where Pope had shown vulnerability throughout his knock.

The Surrey batter, Ollie Pope, had a lazy waft at a delivery similar to the ones that had produced the earlier chances. This time, he edged it to the wicketkeeper, Joshua Da Silva, who made no mistake. Pope’s tendency to score big in the first innings was evident once again, as five of his six Test centuries have come in the first innings, each against different opponents.

The only exception to this pattern was his remarkable 196, which came in the second innings during England’s win in Hyderabad earlier this year. This innings added to his reputation as a crucial first-innings performer for England, showcasing his ability to lay a strong foundation when it matters the most.

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England opener Ben Duckett made history with the fastest fifty by an England player in Tests. He achieved this remarkable feat in just 32 balls during the 2nd Test against West Indies at Nottingham, showcasing his exceptional skill and talent.

In the 10th over, Jason Holder bowled a good length delivery. Duckett opened the face of his bat and guided it perfectly past the gully fielder for a boundary. This shot marked his 11th boundary of the innings, bringing up his fifty in style.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, their cheers echoing throughout the stadium as they celebrated Duckett’s historic achievement.

Duckett eventually got out for 71 runs off 59 balls by Shamar Joseph in the 19th over, with England at 105 for 2. He lost his opening partner, Zak Crawley in the first over when Alzarri Joseph bowled him out for a duck after the West Indies chose to bowl first in Nottingham.

Fastest team fifties in Test cricket by overs

4.2 overs – England vs West Indies (today)

4.3 overs – England vs South Africa in 1994

4.6 overs – England vs Sri Lanka in 2002

5.2 Overs – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in 2004

Fastest Test fifties for England by balls

28 – Ian Botham vs India, 1981

30 – Jonny Bairstow vs New Zealand, 2022

32 – Ben Duckett vs West Indies, 2024

32 – Ian Botham vs New Zealand, 1986

Former India player Pragyan Ojha has praised Ollie Pope’s century during England’s second innings on Day 3 (Saturday, January 27) of the ongoing first Test in Hyderabad as well. He referred to Pope’s hundred as one of the best by an England player on Indian soil. He also lauded the batter for his grit and determination as England extended their lead to 126 and counting. He cited the example of Kevin Pietersen’s century in Mumbai as well. Ojha said as Pope stayed unbeaten on 148 off 208 balls, with 17 boundaries.

He told Cricbuzz: “One of the great knocks by an Englishman in India. I had witnessed it in 2012 when Kevin Pietersen had smashed a century in Mumbai. He had played a big innings and took the match away from India’s grip. Today, they are placed in a similar scenario [like 2012].”

He again shared, “If Ollie Pope plays a session tomorrow, the way he is playing comfortably. Rehan Ahmed is also playing in a way that he’s not trying to find himself. So, anything can happen. I want to say one thing about Ollie Pope. Always, when something new happens, then every time one wrong-headed person shows their willpower and then re-write history), he’s batted that way. It was not easy. He showed his discipline and grit. Playing at 148 not out, it’s a big thing. The way he single-handedly ran the game, a 126-run lead is too big. If they go a little ahead, then the Indian unit will have to think about it.”

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It is also noteworthy that, Kevin Pietersen had played a similar knock during England’s tour of India in 2012-13, when they last won the Test series in India (2-1) as well. However, Pietersen had smashed 186 runs off 233 deliveries, including four sixes and 20 boundaries, during the first innings of the second Test at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai where England registered a convincing win by 10 wickets as well.

“England were looking for a fightback and now they’ve got that. The way Ben Foakes batted with Pope was tremendous. That 112-run partnership, on a normal wicket, would’ve been 200-250. Above all, discipline and control of the mind.”The way the ball was turning and Jasprit Bumrah was in his spell, it was not easy, but the duo showed pride and proved why the England team always evolves in front of any challenge,” Pragyan Ojha concluded.

Pope’s first innings knock of 82 has helped him advance nine slots to 49th position among batters while Thakur’s two half-centuries have lifted him a good 59 places to 79th position in the ICC test ranking. Thakur has also moved up seven places to 49th in the bowlers’ list after finishing with four wickets in the match.

Jasprit Bumrah climbed to No. 9 in the latest ICC Test Player Rankings updated on Wednesday, September 8 after his heroics in India’s win over England in the 4th Test of a 5-match series at Oval in London. Bumrah picked up 4 wickers across 2 innings at Oval to take his tally in the series to 18. He is currently at the 2nd spot for the most wickets taken in the series, 3 behind England pacer Ollie Robinson.

India opener Rohit Sharma remains fifth but his match-winning 127 in the second innings sees him increase the lead over captain Virat Kohli from seven to 30 rating points while fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is up from 10th to ninth after finishing with two wickets in each innings of the match.

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Meanwhile, James Anderson has dropped 2 spots to 7th place in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings. On the other hand, Chris Woakes, who picked up 7 wickets on his return to the England Test side, has re-entered the top 10 in ICC All-rounder Rankings. In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, South Africa opener Janneman Malan has moved up 31 places to 34th after scoring 162 runs in the three-match ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League series that Sri Lanka won 2-1.

Rohit achieves career-best test rating points

India’s Oval Test hero, Rohit Sharma has, meanwhile, extended lead over captain Virat Kohli. Rohit, who overtook Kohli last week, has reached career-best rating points of 813, 40 points more than the skipper. Rohit hit his maiden overseas hundred in India’s win at the Oval. He is at the 2nd spot in the batting charts this series with 368 runs from 4 Tests.

Only 2 Indian batsmen are in the top 10 of ICC Test Batting Rankings. Rishabh Pant, who dropped out of the top 10 last week, has slipped a spot to 13th place in the latest rankings. Aiden Markram (up to six places to 69th) and Heinrich Klaasen (up to seven places to 70th) are the others from the team to progress among batters. Left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, who is the top-ranked bowler in T20Is, has moved up nine places to 28th among bowlers.

Sri Lanka’s Avishka Fernando is up 11 places to 41st while Kariyawasa Asalanka’s series topping 196 runs see him shoot up 122 places to 66th position. Wanindu Hasaranga is up three places to 32nd among bowlers.

R Ashwin drops to No. 5 in all-rounder rankings

Meanwhile, R Ashwin continues to be at the 2nd spot on the ICC Test Bowling Rankings. The off-spinner has not played a single Test so far in the 5-match series in England and is unlikely to play the series decider in Manchester from September 10. The India all-rounder has dropped from 4th to 5th in the ICC All-rounder rankings.

Joe Root continues to lead the ICC Test Batting Rankings with 903 points, only 2 more than New Zealand captain Kane Williamson who reached Dubai earlier this week to join Sunrisers Hyderabad for the remainder of the Indian Premier League, starting September 19. Pat Cummins is well ahead of the chasing pack in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings as the Australia pacer holds the top spot with 908 rating points, 76 more than Ashwin. Jason Holder holds the top in the ICC All-rounder Rankings while Ravindra Jadeja is at the 3rd spot.

In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, Paul Stirling has gained nine slots to reach 14th place after scoring 234 runs in the five-match series against Zimbabwe, which they won at home. Craig Ervine is another batter to move up the batting rankings, from 128th to 85th. For Bangladesh, spin bowlers Shakib Al Hassan and Mehedi Hasan, who have four wickets each in the first three matches of their ongoing five-match home series against New Zealand, have also progressed. Shakib has gone up from 12th to ninth and Mehedi from 91st to 24th.

ICC Test Batting Rankings (As of September 8, 2021)

1. Joe Root – 903 rating points
2. Kane Williamson – 901
3. Steve Smith – 891
4. Marnus Labuschagne – 878
5. Rohit Sharma – 813
6. Virat Kohli – 783
7. Babar Azam – 749
8. David Warner – 724
9. Quinton de Kock – 717
10. Henry Nicholls – 714

ICC Test Bowling Rankings

1. Pat Cummins – 908
2. R Ashwin – 831
3. Tim Southee – 824
4. Josh Hazlewood – 816
5. Niel Wagner – 810
6. Kagiso Rabada – 798
7. James Anderson – 794
8. Shaheen Afridi – 783
9. Jasprit Bumrah – 771
10. Jason Holder – 766

Ollie Pope was enjoying the home comforts of the Kia Oval, making an unbeaten 74 as England overtook India on day two of the fourth LV= Insurance Test. The Surrey batsman has a longstanding love affair with the ground, where he has scored seven of his 11 first-class centuries, but this was his first visit in England colors.

He came to the crease in the second over of the day, with England in strife at 53 for four after losing nightwatchman Craig Overton and by tea, he had led the side to 227 for seven. The 23-year-old, restored to the side after three games on the sidelines, shared stands of 89 and 71 with Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali to turn a potential collapse into a first-innings lead of 36.

India drew first blood in the morning, Umesh Yadav following his dismissal of Joe Root on the first evening with a double strike. Overton lasted just four balls, slashing impatiently to slip, but Dawid Malan (31) lingered for more than half an hour before finally providing the outside edge that Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah had been hunting.

At 62 for five, things were looking bleak for England, but Pope and Bairstow were working up a fitting response. In the space of just two overs, the floodgates opened with seven boundaries, completely altering the tone of the session. Pope was first to unleash, dispatching Shardul Thakur to the ropes four times in a row. He started with a perfectly balanced on-drive, followed with a whip off the pads and four leg-byes, and concluded his assault with a dominant pull.

Picking up the baton at the other end, Bairstow took three off Mohammed Siraj – a steer to third man, a risky flip that came perilously close to the mid-wicket catcher, and a powerful square cut.

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Ollie Pope shines for England, misses century by 19.

England was the happier side at lunch, with two set batsmen at 139 for five. The pendulum swung again at the start of the afternoon, Bairstow adding just three runs after the restart before Siraj pinned him lbw with a nip-backer. Bairstow, who had earlier been bumped into by pitch invader Daniel Jarvis, appeared to be angry about movement in the crowd and seemed unhappy with the stewards as he remonstrated on the team balcony.

Pope was having a more serene stay, reaching his half-century with a gift of delivery that he flicked off his pads for four. He and Moeen enjoyed an entertaining time together, clearing the remainder of the deficit in pleasing fashion and starting to build the advantage. Ravindra Jadeja stuck to his guns by bowling with unwavering discipline on the second day of the fourth Test at The Oval. The left-arm spinner was duly rewarded with a couple of lower-order wickets as Moeen Ali and Ollie Robinson bit the dust. While Ali searched for a six only to edge a dolly to cover, Robinson went down on his haunches to sweep but had to hear the death rattle. India should be fairly pleased with their synchronized bowling display as the hosts slip to 272/9.

Moeen had a slice of luck on 14 when India missed out on an lbw shout that would surely have gone their way, but he was soon entertaining the crowd with a series of languid drives. Some hits were intercepted by fielders, but several pierced the infield and raced to the ropes. He fell for 35 in the run-up to tea, looking to smash Ravindra Jadeja out of the ground but instead skying a catch to Rohit Sharma at the cover. Pope reached tea with half an eye on a second Test century, with Chris Woakes his latest accomplice.

Ollie Pope says the withdrawal of Ben Stokes for the Test series against India is a reminder of how mentally tough the demands of playing international sport are during a pandemic.

Stokes, England’s Test vice-captain and heartbeat of the team, has taken an indefinite break from cricket to protect his mental wellbeing and rest the left-index finger he fractured playing in the Indian Premier League in April. The all-rounder’s absence is a blow to England’s chances in the five-Test series against India that starts at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

Yet after England players have spent months in numerous biosecure bubbles since the start of the pandemic, the decision by Stokes has been widely applauded as a positive step forward in acknowledging an athlete’s mental health must come before everything else.

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“It’s obviously sad but I think it’s a reminder to everyone,” Pope said. “We as a nation and the world look at Stokesy as a real macho fighter character – and he is. But this shows how mentally straining cricket and sport at the highest level can be and the situation of being in a bubble away from the family does make that tougher. We all support him 100% and would love to get him back as soon as we can but I think mental health is much more important than a game.

A break from India vs England will make him even better for T20 World Cup: Ollie Pope

“Of course, we’re well behind him with that decision and I wish him to be the best he can be as soon as he can. Of course, it’s a blow. No matter who you’re playing, Stokesy is one of the best, if not the best, all-rounder in the world so you’re always going to miss him. But we’ve got guys who can come in and I’m sure they’ll step up.”

England’s managed team environment – the word “bubble” has now been outlawed by management – is now less restrictive than it was last summer and during the winter in Sri Lanka and India, where the players were largely confined to their hotels.

Yet it is still tough, mainly because of the Covid outbreak in the camp last month that forced England to name an entirely new squad – led by Stokes – for the one-day series against Pakistan.

For the first Test in Nottingham this week, players are allowed to leave the team hotel during their spare time only to exercise, play golf or pick up takeaway food and drink from a designated coffee shop in the city. Anything else, including going out for meals, is not allowed.

“It’s tough,” Pope said. “I think we’re finding ways of dealing with it better. I think in India and back at home last summer it was incredibly strict and I spent too much time in my bedroom just watching Netflix and playing Xbox. We’re finding ways of trying to make the whole experience a little bit more enjoyable and that will hopefully help us on the pitch as well.”

The prospect of even tougher restrictions in Australia this winter, including the possibility that players’ families will not be allowed to travel because of the country’s strict entry requirements and Covid regulations, has raised the fear that some leading players may opt-out of the Ashes, especially as England have the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and white-ball tours of Bangladesh and Pakistan immediately beforehand.

“Cricket Australia and the ECB are still trying to come to an agreement,” Pope said. “The guys with families and kids, you break it down and look at it, and if that did happen no families allowed in Australia then they wouldn’t probably see them for half a year just like that. And that’s putting aside all the other series as well. Everyone has got their own decision to make but no specific agreement has been made between the two boards yet so we’re still waiting to hear on that.”

As for Pope’s own prospects of playing this week after working his way back from a grade-three tear in his thigh, the 23-year-old said: “I’m hopeful but it’s up to physios and management. I’m feeling it a little bit but nothing major. It’s just trying to make sure if I did play this one there’s not going to be issued for the next four Tests if selected.”

Ollie Pope endured a thigh muscle injury while playing for Surrey against Kent. England’s middle-order player Ollie Pope endured an injury while playing in the Vitality Blast for Surrey against Kent. He persevered through an injury in the left thigh muscles on July 02 and in the most recent turn of events, he has been ruled out of the action until England’s high profile Test series. England’s Test series against India is good to start on August 04. 

It must be noticed that India’s Test series against England remains an all-important significance and Pope wouldn’t want to miss on the same. Nonetheless, the fitness and rehabilitation team of England and Surrey is focused on working for the player’s betterment and they aim that he would be prepared for the first Test against Virat Kohli and his squad. 

Pope was in great touch in the T20 Blast tournament as he recorded two half-centuries in his last five thumps. The 23-year-old scored an unbeaten 52 against Middlesex and followed it up with a 60-run thump against Glamorgan. 

The England Cricket Board (ECB) affirmed Ollie Pope’s injury with the accompanying statement: 

“Pope has been ruled out until England’s LV Insurance Test Series against India in the wake of suffering a left thigh muscle injury. The ECB and Surrey fitness teams will cooperate to deliver Pope’s recovery with a focus for him to be able to return for the first Test against India,” a statement by ECB read. 

It must be taken into consideration that Pope has not been able to penetrate the 35-run mark in his last 15 Test innings yet it was reported that he was expecting to get his crew squad in the Test team. He was cheerful for his squad as he has been seen as quite possibly the most capable young person in England’s first-class setup. 

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Pope was scheduled to play three matches for the Welsh Fire in The Hundred 2021. In any case, it appears he will be unavailable for the games due to his thigh injury. The tournament has been best with withdrawals with a host of overseas players pulling out due to the congested international schedule and complications around travel in the hour of Covid. 

One might say that his absence may open an entryway for another talented hitter Dawid Malan who has been sparkling alright for England in the limited-overs format. Another batsman who could be profited can be Dan Lawrence yet it actually remains to be seen if Pope can really make it to the first Test against India. The 23-year-old’s injury may likewise close his chances of utilizing trade The Hundred-England’s new 100-ball format game which is good to start off this year. 

Will Ollie Pope’s injury open the entryways for Dawid Malan’s return to the England Test squad? 

While Ollie Pope is expected to recover in time for the Test series against India, the home side would prefer to have a backup alternative available in the crew. Pope has predominantly played at the number five and number six positions in Tests. 

In the event that Pope misses out on this major opportunity, Dawid Malan could get back to the Test team. The left-gave batsman recently scored a match-winning fifty against Pakistan on his return to the ODI side. Malan has played 15 Tests for England, however, his last appearance in the Test format came back in 2018. 

Last month, Malan played a superb knock of 199 runs for Yorkshire in a county game against Sussex. Since he has enormous first-class experience under his belt, the selectors could consider him for the series against India.