England are in the hunt for a record-breaking Multan wonder needed to beat Pakistan in the second Test, but Sky Sports pundits Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain insist the team has a chance with the scenario “made for” captain Ben Stokes.

Friday day four, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 5:50 am (first ball 6:00 am)is likely to see an exciting finale to an epic Test, which Pakistan took control of on Thursday by posting an error-prone England 297 to win in their fourth innings and then dismissing both openers.

England will resume at 36-2, still 261 points short of what would be by some distance their record chase in Asia – and on an unpredictable pitch that continues to creak and provide endless spin on the eighth day of service.

A successful pursuit would therefore be one of the greatest achievements of the revolutionary Bazball era, which has already achieved so much. England couldn’t do that. Can they do that?

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“Pakistan has put itself in a very strong position,” Atherton further said Sky Sports Cricket as the hosts look to level the three-Test series.

“England will need to chase the highest ever run in Asia, and will need more runs than any side has ever managed in a fourth innings in Pakistan, barring a very strong Australian side.

‘That is a measure of the task ahead of England. By not sending a nightwatchman and that last shot from Joe Root (a reverse sweep for four) they have shown that they will give it a go, and you could’ expect nothing less from a Ben Stokes-led side.

“There is a lot of belief in that side, but it is an extremely tough challenge. They will not shy away from it.”

Root (12no) is joined by Ollie Pope (21no) who leads England out on Friday, aiming to bounce back from a day in which Pakistan dominated equally through their own skill and perseverance – spinner Sajid Khan (7-111 first innings, 1 -27 seconds) and Salman Agha (63) impressive – as were the visitors’ mistakes, with missed catches and errant shots.

An error-filled afternoon session saw Stokes clearly frustrated but – while he was unable to practice with the bat after an injury – the captain could still hold the key to England’s chase, as he has done so many times before.

“It’s fascinating,” Nasser agreed. “An absolutely brilliant day of Test match cricket – the last two days have been incredible to watch.

“It’s not an unequal battle between bat and ball… they haven’t gone too far in the other direction – as you can see from the runs scored, by Salman Agha in the order.

“It can’t be that big of a minefield, so England still have a chance.

“Root is an important wicket. My only concern is that he and Stokes are out of rhythm with his batting because he hasn’t batted in so long… but this is made for him. He likes this kind of chase.”

England tempers faith with realism

England assistant coach Paul Collingwood grapples with the team’s impressive recent history with the records of the past and the pitch of today and said the team is aware of the challenge ahead but is still full of “faith” .

“It will be a huge effort if we can (win),” he said Air sports. “But there is belief in the dressing room, it’s that simple.

“We have to be realistic. It will be difficult with the amount of cracks on the pitch.

“We have done some special things in the past and broken records, but we have to be realistic that it will be a tough, tough chase.”

England achieved their record Test chase (378-3 against India in 2022) during Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum’s hitherto successful era, but victory here would require them to beat their previous record in Asia by 88 runs, after had won by a fourth-innings score of 209 in Lahore in 1961.

The record chase at Multan, meanwhile, came from Pakistan 21 years ago – 262-9.

But Atherton concluded: “It is impossible that England will not think of victory.

“The way England have played for three years under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they have the confidence to win from any situation. As Collingwood said, as observers you look at it with a degree of realism.” well, England have never scored so many runs batting fourth in Asia.

“The reality of the situation is that Pakistan are in a very strong position and are favorites to win this match, but England have that belief and they will come out feeling that they have a chance to win this match. “

First test: Multan – October 7-11 – England won by one innings and 47 runs

Second test: Multan – October 15-19

Third test: Rawalpindi – October 24-28

Watch day four of the second Test between Pakistan and England in Multan, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 5.50am on Friday, ahead of the match from 6am. Stream with NOW