At the first Test toss against England, Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, acknowledged that his team had asked for a flat pitch for the Multan Test. Because of this, the hosts won the toss and amassed a large run total on the first day, with centuries coming from Masood and Abdullah Shafique. Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen voiced concerns about the pitch as the bowlers struggled to get wickets.
Pakistan continued to chase after the runs, finishing their innings with 556 runs. In response, England batted with a run rate of more than 5.00 and showed that they were not too concerned by the queries posed by Pakistan’s bowlers. In the third session, England passed the 400-run threshold thanks to a 35-run haul from Joe Root. Pietersen claimed that the wicket is ruining Test cricket as soon as he saw the events.
Still a cemetery for bowlers! Pietersen posted on the microblogging social networking platform X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, “If this wicket doesn’t crumble and produce a result, it’s helping DESTROY Test cricket.”
Check Pietersen’s post on X here:
Still a bowlers graveyard! If this wicket doesn’t crumble and produce a result, it’s helping DESTROY Test cricket.
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) October 9, 2024
Not too much spinning of the ball is expected: Kevin Pietersen
Along with pitch-aiding bowlers, the veteran had expressed concern. The issue came up earlier this year during England’s trip of India. Pietersen was surprised by Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin’s ability to provide spin on the first day of the first Test in Hyderabad. In 35 overs, half of the England team was back in the hut as a result.
“Observe how Jadeja’s first two deliveries went. In a Test match, there is Day 1. There shouldn’t be much turning of the ball. Take a look at the dismissals—it’s not like the ball was bouncing and twirling. (Zak) Root out sweeping, Crawley caught at mid-on.
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The technique of all the other batters was poor. Pietersen had stated, as cited by NDTV Sports, “It wasn’t turning and bouncing that much.”
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