England’s Ben Duckett becomes the fastest cricketer to score 2,000 runs in Test cricket, measured by the number of balls faced.
On the second day of the Test match against Pakistan, England’s Ben Duckett delivered a stunning performance with a dynamic 120-ball century.
Ben Duckett’s remarkable inning in Multan propelled Duckett past the previous records of cricket luminaries such as Tim Southee, Adam Gilchrist, Virender Sehwag, and Rishabh Pant. Duckett’s achievement saw him eclipse New Zealand’s Southee, the prior record holder, setting a new benchmark as the fastest player to reach 2,000 runs in Test cricket. This feat reshuffled the rankings, placing Gilchrist, Sehwag, and Pant in third, fourth, and fifth positions.
Despite Duckett’s success, the day they proved challenging for England. Pakistani spinner Sajid Khan dramatically shifted the game’s momentum by taking three wickets in just ten deliveries, including that of Duckett, who scored 114. This pivotal moment drastically altered the course of the innings, with England’s promising position of 211-2 rapidly deteriorating to 239-6.
The pitch in Multan, noted for its propensity to assist spinners and previously used in the first Test, played a significant role. This condition favoured the host team, who, after finishing their first innings with 366 runs, established a 127-run lead.
The day they ended with England’s Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse at the crease, facing an uphill battle in a series where England currently leads 1-0 thanks to their win in the first Test.
Overall, the day saw 11 wickets fall, with Sajid Khan claiming four for 86 runs and Noman Ali taking two for 75. This underscored a day dominated by Pakistan’s spinners and marked by significant shifts in momentum.
