How Pakistan Engineered the Multan Miracle

Pakistan's remarkable turnaround in the second Test against England is a tale of strategic shifts, timely selections, and a change in mindset. After suffering a disheartening defeat in the first Test, the team faced a daunting challenge, trailing by 115 runs with only four wickets remaining at the end of Day Four. Their historic first innings score of 556 was overshadowed by becoming the first team in Test history to lose by an innings after surpassing the 500-run mark. The defeat marked their seventh loss in 11 home Tests since February 2021, a troubling streak that included six consecutive defeats.

In response to this setback, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took immediate action by restructuring the national men's selection committee. New members, including umpire Aleem Dar and former Test cricketers Aaqib Javed and Azhar Ali, joined the existing panel of Asad Shafiq, Hasan Cheema, Shan Masood, and Jason Gillespie. They aimed to address the team's performance and devise a winning strategy for the remaining matches in the series.

A Shift in Strategy

Recognizing the failures of previous strategies, the PCB decided to abandon the neutering of pitches that had previously favored seamers. This approach had not yielded results, culminating in a first-ever home series whitewash against England in December 2022. To rectify the situation, the selection committee instructed the curators to create spin-friendly conditions that would benefit the team's strengths. They even opted to recycle the pitch for the second Test, ensuring it would assist spinners from the start.

The Babar Azam Decision

A significant turning point came with the decision to drop former captain Babar Azam from the squad. Despite Masood and Gillespie's earlier commitment to providing a stable environment for the top players, Azam's dismal form—failing to score over 50 runs since December 2022 and averaging only 20.70 in his last nine Tests—prompted a reevaluation. After discussions between the selectors, the captain, and the coach, they collectively agreed that a break could benefit Azam, allowing him to regain his confidence after a tumultuous year marked by resignations and a poor T20 World Cup.

In Azam's place, the selectors considered several candidates, ultimately leaning towards Kamran Ghulam, a prolific middle-order batter. Ghulam’s inclusion proved to be a masterstroke as he scored 118 on debut, becoming the first Pakistani to achieve this feat since Abid Ali in 2019. His contributions were instrumental in lifting Pakistan to a total of 366, enough to secure a win on the prepared pitch.

Strengthening the Spin Attack

With a shift towards a spin-dominant strategy, the selectors made notable changes to the bowling lineup. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, both seamers, were rested, and the focus was on deploying a spin-heavy attack. However, challenges arose with the fitness policies implemented by the PCB, which had strict benchmarks that led to the release of Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood from the first Test due to fitness test failures.

Recognizing the necessity for experienced spinners, the PCB relaxed these fitness benchmarks for the series, allowing Ali and Mehmood to return to the squad. The decision paid off, as both spinners showcased their skills by sharing all 20 wickets between them, marking a historic achievement as only the second spin pair in Test history to do so.

Ultimately, Pakistan's strategic overhaul and decisive actions in the lead-up to the second Test proved transformative. By embracing a spin-friendly approach, making courageous selections, and addressing the psychological aspects of player performance, they not only salvaged their reputation but also orchestrated a miraculous comeback in Multan. The combination of innovative thinking and timely execution culminated in a resounding success against England, allowing Pakistan to bounce back and regain confidence on home soil.