Pakistani cricket team Multan is being targeted by former cricketers as England march towards Firstpost victory

It's safe to say that another home Test won't go well for Pakistan. After losing 2-0 at home to Bangladesh and a first series loss to the Tigers, Pakistan now find themselves on the brink of defeat against England in the first Test in Multan, on a pitch that has been very generous so far for the hitters.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood and Agha Salman hit centuries in the first innings as the hosts scored 556, but in reply England punished the Pakistani bowlers in Multan with some record-breaking innings. They scored more than 800 runs, the first time against Pakistan in a Test innings when Joe Root and Harry Brook made a world record 454 runs.

'Highway' field in Multan faces criticism

On the flat field in Multan, often referred to as a 'highway' on social media, six Pakistani bowlers conceded more than 100 runs in the Test match and the reaction from former cricketers and pundits was brutal.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja questioned why such a flat track that neutralizes the threat of Pakistan pacers was offered in a home Test, while former England batting star Kevin Pietersen said Multan- like pitches will “destroy” Test cricket.

“I am sure bowlers will question the quality of this song because they are bending their backs and nothing has happened,” Raja said on a TV channel. “You start to wonder why such a surface was provided and why we play on such a surface at home.”

Pietersen posted on X: “Still a bowlers graveyard! If this wicket doesn't crumble and produce a result, it will help DESTROY Test cricket.

Still a bowlers graveyard! If this wicket doesn't crumble and produce a result, it will help DESTROY Test cricket.

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) October 9, 2024

Pundits on social media agreed when one of them pointed out that flat pitches like the one in Multan will “kill” the Test format over time.

All the talk about sub-standard Test match pitches worldwide, this Multan has to top the list. These will destroy the format over time. Not a fair battle between bat and ball. Any initial praise for Pakistan's batting effort in the first innings has long since disappeared

—John Wright (@johnwright15) October 10, 2024

I feel sorry for the Pakistani bowlers who are constantly judged on their performance on the flattest surfaces in the world. Worse still, when there was some juice for the pacers, during the Bangladesh Series, they were rested and now toiling on a benign Multan pitch. #PakvEng

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 9, 2024

Batter also has to do with heat

The Pakistani batsman also came under fire after the hosts were reduced to 152/6 at stumps on Day 4, needing 115 more runs to avoid an innings defeat. On a pitch that yielded more than 1,300 runs in the first two innings, it was baffling to see Pakistani batsmen showing a rush to return to the dressing room.

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez pointed out to X that the home team is paying the price for the lack of positive attitude and poor planning.

Regardless of the conditions in the Multan Stadium. The England team is in the driver's seat and has more chances to win thanks to positive intentions and better game plans. If the number of overs on the same pitch is equal, the English team has more than 175 runs to play to win. Team Pakistan can play alone

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 10, 2024

“Regardless of the conditions in the Multan stadium. The England team is in the driver's seat and has more chances to win thanks to positive intentions and better game plans. If the number of overs on the same pitch is equal, the English team has more than 175 runs to play to win. Team Pakistan can only play for a draw or head for another home defeat,” he said.