Ben Duckett Shines with a Century in England's Response Against Pakistan
Ben Duckett has once again demonstrated his incredible batting skills in the ongoing second Test between England and Pakistan in Multan. On a tricky, spinning pitch, Duckett's composed and aggressive batting has been the highlight of England's reply to Pakistan's first innings total of 366. Duckett reached his century in a measured 120 balls, a performance characterized by precision, innovation, and mastery over the spin-heavy attack.
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As England began their innings, Pakistan's bowling posed immediate challenges. After dismissing opener Zak Crawley for 27, Pakistan seemed to gain momentum, but Duckett remained resilient at the crease. His partnership with Joe Root was pivotal in stabilizing England’s innings after a few quick losses of wickets. Duckett’s sweep shots were particularly effective, accounting for 23% of his runs. In fact, since 2006, only one player—Joe Root in 2018—has used the sweep as effectively in a Test innings. This shot selection has allowed Duckett to adapt quickly to the conditions, keeping the scoreboard ticking even on a difficult pitch.
The match saw some intense moments, especially when Duckett hovered on 99 for a while, turning down risky singles and showing great patience. Eventually, he reached his milestone with a sweep shot, fittingly becoming his fourth Test century. This innings, while slower than his previous centuries, showcased Duckett's ability to adjust his game depending on the conditions. His composure was a testament to his experience and growing stature in international cricket.
Duckett’s century came at a critical juncture when England needed a solid response to Pakistan's respectable total. While Pakistan’s debutant Kamran Ghulam led their innings with a gritty 118, Duckett’s century gave England hope of staying competitive in the match. Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, tried to maintain pressure, but Duckett's brilliance kept England in the game. With England trailing by 139 runs with 4 wickets remaining, Duckett's performance will be crucial as they seek to take control of this Test. His innings is a shining example of how technique, timing, and temperament can prevail even in challenging conditions.
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