Salman Ali Agha’s knock on day two has put Pakistan in the driving seat, propelling them to a commanding total of 556. Resuming their innings at 328 for 4, Pakistan’s morning session had England chasing shadows. Despite the early pressure from England’s bowlers, night-watchman Naseem Shah frustrated them with his resilience. Salman, however, was the real story of the day, playing a pivotal role after lunch when he began to unleash his natural game, attacking the spinners with flair and authority.

Salman’s innings truly gained momentum right after lunch. Facing Jack Leach, he announced his intent immediately, driving the first delivery through the covers for four and stepping out to dispatch another one with power. When asked about this flurry of boundaries during the post-match conference, Salman reflected, “I didn’t have any special plan; it’s just my natural game to attack spinners when I get the ball.” His statement perfectly captured the fearless approach he adopted against Leach.

The turning point in Salman’s knock came when he went after Leach again, sending the ball soaring for what seemed like a stunning catch by Chris Woakes. However, replays showed Woakes had touched the boundary, awarding Salman a six instead of sending him back to the pavilion. “I thought it was out, and I was walking back,” Salman mentioned, recalling the moment. “But then the umpire told me we have to check, and eventually, it was ruled as six because Woakes had touched the boundary."

This innings highlighted not just his knack for capitalizing on spinners, but also his ability to play crucial, match-defining knocks. Since his debut, Salman has consistently proven his worth, adapting to challenging conditions across different continents, whether it was the turning tracks of Sri Lanka, the bouncy wickets in Australia, or the pressure of playing England at home. Today was another reminder of his consistency and ability to rise to the occasion, irrespective of the opposition.

Salman pushed the aggressive Bazball onto the back foot, forcing England to field all nine players on the boundary line as he unleashed his attacking prowess. His journey from initial skepticism to becoming one of Pakistan’s most reliable Test batters has been a tale of grit and perseverance. Early in his career, there were whispers about his selection being favored by captain Babar Azam and selector Mohammad Wasim, but Salman has silenced those doubts with performance after performance. His ability to produce under pressure, whether in Sri Lanka or Australia, and now here in Multan, marks him as a key figure in Pakistan’s batting lineup.

The post-lunch session was where Salman really took control. Pakistan’s run rate shot up from 2.65 in the morning to 4.54 in the second session, as Salman’s aggressive batting tore through England’s attack. Leach, in particular, bore the brunt of Salman’s onslaught, with boundaries flowing freely, especially during a phase where four consecutive overs from Leach were boundary-laden. Salman’s partnership with Saud Shakeel stabilized the innings and ensured Pakistan was firmly in command before Saud’s eventual dismissal for 82.

While the pitch began to offer uneven bounce, particularly against the pacers, Salman remained unflustered. He continued to punish the spinners, sweeping Leach for another boundary that took him past the 1,000-run milestone in Test cricket, a significant achievement in just his 15th Test match. His strike rate of 63.59 is the fourth-highest among Pakistani players to reach 1,000 runs, further highlighting his ability to keep the scoreboard ticking in crucial moments.

As Salman inched closer to his hundred, he launched Leach down the ground for six, a stroke that epitomized his dominance over England’s attack. Shaheen Afridi, providing valuable support, rotated the strike well with Salman, contributing to Pakistan’s march towards a massive total. Salman’s innings was a reminder of his role as Pakistan’s clutch player—reliable, aggressive, and able to adapt to the situation, regardless of the conditions.

At the press conference, Salman expressed confidence in the outcome of the match: “I think there will be a result in this Test match. England always goes for a result, and we are also aiming for a win.” His words echoed the fighting spirit he demonstrated on the field, putting Pakistan in a strong position as they look to press for a victory.