Salman turns the tables on England, excelling in their style on his best days

Pakistan entered this Test match with high hopes, vowing to challenge England on their terms. However, the reality of the situation was stark, as they hadn’t secured a home victory in nearly four years and were still reeling from a shocking defeat just a month prior. The first Test in Multan starkly contrasted Pakistan’s recent struggles. While they executed the fundamentals well, more than succeeding in the basics of Test cricket is needed; psychological pressure must also be applied to quell the ambitions of the opposition. This aspect has been the hallmark of England’s Bazball era, a lesson Pakistan learned the hard way during their 2022 series, where they suffered a disheartening 3-0 loss.

Following a day one performance that showcased near-perfect execution of fundamentals, Pakistan faced the critical task of elevating their game on Tuesday. The morning began slowly, with Saud Shakeel and Naseem Shah forcing England’s bowlers to work hard in the sweltering heat. Pakistan managed a mere 2.5 runs per over. With the nightwatchman having successfully neutralized the second new ball under increasingly placid conditions, Pakistan needed a more aggressive approach to steer the match towards a decisive result.

This is where Salman Ali Agha stepped into the spotlight. Agha has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most consistent performers in recent years, providing a silver lining amid a string of challenging series. His scintillating unbeaten 104 on Tuesday was a testament to his resilience and skill. Batting sides often focus their attacks on specific bowlers. Still, it becomes a statement when they dismantle the opposition’s leading bowler. Jack Leach, who played a vital role in England’s previous tour victory, entered this series with a solid reputation, making Agha’s performance even more impressive. Known for his exceptional record against finger spinners, Agha showcased remarkable strike rates and averages, notably neutralizing the threats posed by Prabath Jayasuriya during Pakistan’s previous success in Sri Lanka.

Agha’s afternoon session began with stylish strokes, quickly shifting momentum. He took the initiative against Leach, hitting back-to-back sixes and showing mastery with a delightful sweep for four. He amassed four fours and two sixes in just four overs against England’s premier spinner. “I back myself to attack spinners,” Agha remarked after day two, confident in his ability to take them on in any situation. One of those sixes came with an element of luck when Chris Woakes, attempting to catch, tumbled back over the boundary. “For you to score hundreds, things have to go your way,” Agha noted, acknowledging the fortune that accompanied his achievement. With each innings, Agha solidifies his reputation as a formidable lower-order batter, maintaining a steady scoring rate after Shakeel’s dismissal and ensuring that Pakistan’s run rate improved by the end of the session.

Agha’s partnership with Shoaib Bashir showcased his attacking prowess as he quickly dispatched boundaries. England had touted Bashir as a rising star. Still, Agha found gaps and targeted him effectively, scoring through reverse sweeps and aggressive down-the-pitch shots. Agha displayed remarkable composure and finesse as the innings progressed, reaching his third Test century in just 108 balls. His impressive performance had a significant psychological impact on England, desperate to end their struggles. England missed opportunities, including a stumping chance by Jamie Smith and a dropped catch from Atkinson, which highlighted their mounting pressure. Agha downplayed the notion of intentionally exacerbating England’s misery, focusing instead on his team’s collective efforts. Since his debut in July 2022, only three batters, including Agha, have exceeded 1,000 runs in the lower middle order, with Agha amassing 1,033 runs at an impressive average of 47.

In response, England managed 96 runs at nearly five an over. Still, they faced a daunting target of 460 runs, mainly due to Agha’s brilliance. As Zak Crawley, who initiated Bazball in Pakistan in 2022, remained unbeaten on a rapid 64, the stage was set for an enthralling contest. Suppose Abrar Ahmed, who has dismissed Crawley thrice in four innings, cannot find a way to contain him. In that case, Shan Masood will count on Salman’s off-spin to turn the tide back in Pakistan’s favor.

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