Ben Duckett– In a surprising turn of events during the Multan Test between Pakistan and England, the English cricket team has been dealt a severe blow. The ongoing Test match, which has already seen some impressive performances from Pakistan’s batsmen, took a dramatic twist when Ben Duckett suffered an injury at a critical moment.
Ben Duckett Injured While Taking a Catch
The incident occurred when Ben Duckett attempted to catch Pakistan’s last wicket, Abrar Ahmed, off a delivery by Joe Root. Although Duckett successfully took the catch, he injured his hand in the process. This unexpected injury came as a shock to the England team, especially since it happened just as they were looking to begin their batting innings.
As a result of the injury, Duckett was unable to open the innings for England, and Ollie Pope had to step in alongside Zak Crawley to face the opening overs. This shift in England’s batting order could have significant implications on their performance in the match.
Strong Start by Pakistan with Three Centuries
Before Duckett’s injury, Pakistan had already put England under pressure with a massive first-innings total of 556 runs. The standout performers for Pakistan were Abdullah Shafique, who scored 102, Shan Masood with 151 runs, and Salman Ali Agha, who added 104 to the scoreboard. Their powerful display has made it a challenging task for England to turn the game around.
England Struggles Without Ben Duckett
The absence of Ben Duckett as an opener added to England’s troubles early on. Ollie Pope, who usually bats at number three, opened the innings and was dismissed for a duck by Naseem Shah in the second over. With their captain dismissed for zero and Duckett unable to bat, England now faces an uphill battle to salvage the match.
What’s Next for England?
The injury to Ben Duckett has placed England in a difficult position. Pakistan’s high score, combined with Duckett’s absence and Pope’s early dismissal, has intensified the pressure on the remaining batsmen. As the match progresses, England’s ability to handle these setbacks will be key to determining the outcome.
The injury will be closely monitored, as Duckett is a crucial player for England. His recovery will play a pivotal role in England’s prospects for the rest of the Test series.
