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After being well beaten in the first test, Pakistan are arguably marginally on top after day one in the second test thanks in part to a century on debut by Kamran Ghulam, who scored 118. This effort, which saw him drop on 79, helped the home side to 259/5 at the close.

Mohammed Rizwan (37 out) and Salman Ali Agha (five not out) were unbeaten at stumps. On a topsy-turvy day, which saw Pakistan slip to 19-2, Saim Ayub (77) and Ghulam (118) put on 149 for the third wicket to prevent further early damage.

In the circumstances, this partnership was well-crafted and really needed, as the tourists looked set to run riot through the Pakistani batting line-up.

This Multan pitch, used in the first test, showed some misbehaviour. Many times, deliveries could have been faster. Visiting wicket-keeper Jamie Smith would gladly see the back-of-the-day play.

There were times when the ball hinted that it was reverse-swinging, and for a country that is usually the master of delivering the art, one has to say it’s arguably a bit of a gaffe on their part that Pakistan have only included one seamer (Aamer Jamal) in their playing 11.

Kamran Ghulam, who does bowl left-arm spin despite being a right-hand bat, could cause England some trouble, who have notoriously found left-arm spinners hard to face.

Just for good measure, Saud Shakeel, Saim Ayub and the premier Spinner Noman Ali bowl left-arm spin. It’s well known that Pakistan are in a poor run of form, but after the first day, they’re very much in this first test.

The same could be said after day one of the first test, too. Pakistan will need a good start tomorrow; if they don’t, it will undo all the good work they did on the first day of the test.

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