London (GNP): Pakistan has registered more Test defeats than victories for the first time in almost four decades after England secured a 194-run win at Lord’s, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match series against Babar Azam’s side.
The result leaves Pakistan with a Test record of 154 losses and 153 wins from 473 matches, with 166 games ending in draws, marking the first time since 1987 that the team’s overall losses have outnumbered its wins.
The last time Pakistan faced this milestone was after a drawn Test against England at The Oval in August 1987, when the side held a record of 39 wins and 40 losses from 170 Tests. Pakistan went on to build a positive win-loss record that held for decades, before a difficult stretch of results in recent years gradually eroded that advantage.
The latest setback came after another difficult outing against England at Lord’s, where Pakistan were bowled out for just 110 in their first innings before being set a target of 389. Chasing the total, Pakistan were dismissed for 194, with Saud Shakeel top-scoring with a determined 97 in a losing effort.
Also Read: Ahtesham Wins J60 Doubles Title in Tunisia
The defeat handed England an unassailable 2-0 series lead, following their innings-and-103-run victory in the series opener at Headingley. With two consecutive losses now behind them, Pakistan face mounting pressure to salvage some pride in the final Test and avoid a series whitewash.
The third and final Test of the series will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham starting September 9, where Pakistan will look to prevent England from completing a 3-0 clean sweep.
