England registered a comprehensive victory over Pakistan at their own backyard as Ben Stokes won yet another series as captain. Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes’s England cricket team won the 2nd Test match by 26 runs and sealed off the 3-match Test series.
Post the match, Ben Stokes had reached out to Pakistan’s bowler Mohammad Ali to shake hands. However, Ali refused to shake hands as Ben Stokes was prematurely trying to do the customary gesture. Ollie Robinson had bowled a fullish delivery to the Pakistani tailender and he nicked it to Ollie Pope. But he took the DRS to try his luck. Evidently, it was out but this was probably to make use of the DRS that was available at Pakistan’s disposal and delay the celebrations of Ben Stokes’s team.
When the 3rd umpire was making his decision, Ben Stokes reached out to Mohammad Ali to shake hands. However, Ali blatantly refused to do so and signalled the England skipper to wait as the decision was not made yet. Stokes immediately backed off and went back to his jubilant team.
However, after the inevitable decision of the 3rd umpire was made, the handshakes took place and both the players shook hands like gentlemen. Pakistan lost the game despite a valiant knock from southpaw Saud Shakeel. His knock of 94 runs went in vain as England had the last laugh.
Mark Wood scythed through the batting line-up of Pakistan in the 2nd innings and bagged 4 wickets. Ollie Robinson and James Anderson took 2 wickets each to help their other bowler with the onslaught. Ben Stokes’s aggressive approach paid rich dividends in this Test match as well.
Ben Stokes’s England attained a 2-0 unassailable lead over the home team in this series. The 3rd Test will be played at Karachi and it will commence from 17th December, 2022. Pakistan hereby has lost their last 3 games at home. Babar Azam’s side will be hoping to win the 3rd Test as a consolation prize.
