Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes mental exhaustion contributed to Pakistan‘s batting struggles on day four in Multan. The 56-year-old praised Test cricket for challenging players in all aspects over five days.
Pakistan’s bowling unit labored for nearly two days as England batted for 150 overs. With the tourists building a 267-run lead, the home side faltered to 82/6 in their second innings. However, Salman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal mounted a fightback, ending the day at 152/6.
In his Sky Sports column, Hussain noted that Pakistan switched off for about half a session, which ultimately cost them. He stated:
“That’s why Test cricket is an unbelievable format, because it tests you for five days. You can’t switch off, you can’t drift away for half a session, and that’s exactly what happened to Pakistan. The mental baggage of having to field for 150 overs and going for 800-plus runs, and then the mental scarring. You get one, you get two and then all that mental baggage and scarring comes back to haunt you.”
Pakistan’s problems intensified on day four when leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was sidelined due to fever and hospitalized. He is also expected to be unable to bat on day five, leaving the visitors needing just three more wickets with a 115-run lead.
“It’s One Of The Flattest Pitches That We’ve Ever Seen” – Nasser Hussain On The Multan Surface
Hussain praised England’s ruthlessness on day four, noting they are close to victory after batting for 150 overs. He added:
“That’s one thing maybe this side have been criticised for with the bat, is that they’ve not been ruthless. Forget the conditions and forget the pitch, it’s one of the flattest pitches that we’ve ever seen really, but they were definitely ruthless. And in their own special way. How you can score 820 in 150 overs and still be ruthless? This side has managed to do that.”
Salman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal have formed an unbroken partnership of 70 runs and will need to survive day five for Pakistan to avoid defeat.
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