Question 1: What recent events in international cricket have highlighted the vulnerabilities of teams outside the Big Three?
Answer: Recent events include West Indies eliminating England from the Women’s T20 World Cup, South Africa's impressive victory over Australia, and New Zealand's historic low total of 46 all out against India in a home Test.
Question 2: What was significant about Pakistan's victory over England in Multan?
Answer: Pakistan's victory was significant as it marked their first win at home against England in 12 matches, setting up a crucial series decider in Rawalpindi.
Question 3: How did Pakistan's team composition change for the match in Multan?
Answer: Pakistan dropped three key players and recalled experienced spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, which contributed to their success in the match.
Question 4: What was the condition of the pitch in Multan, and how did it affect the match?
Answer: The pitch in Multan was refurbished using giant fans, leading to diminishing returns for the batting teams, which played a crucial role in Pakistan's victory.
Question 5: How did the performance of Pakistan's spinners impact England's batting during the match?
Answer: The performance of Pakistan's spinners exposed England's weaknesses and contributed to a decline in their confidence, marking a rare moment of uncertainty under coach Brendon McCullum.