**Pakistan vs England: Key Takeaways for McCullum’s Side Following Test Series Defeat** The recent Test series defeat against Pakistan has highlighted several weaknesses in England's cricket team, particularly under the leadership of coach Brendon McCullum. Here are four critical takeaways from the series: 1. **Ollie Pope's Inconsistency**: Despite being celebrated for reaching his 50th Test cap, Ollie Pope's performance continues to raise eyebrows. His struggles at the crease have left fans and analysts puzzled, especially given the high expectations surrounding his talent. 2. **Struggles Against Spin**: One of the most glaring issues for England has been their inability to handle spin bowling effectively. This weakness was exploited by the Pakistani bowlers throughout the series, leading to significant collapses in the batting order. Addressing this deficiency will be crucial for future success. 3. **Team Dynamics and Leadership**: The camaraderie and banter among players, as seen when Zak Crawley presented Pope with his cap, reflect a positive team spirit. However, this must translate into on-field performance. The team needs to find a balance between enjoying the game and maintaining a competitive edge. 4. **Need for Strategic Adjustments**: The series has underscored the necessity for England to reassess their strategies, particularly in adapting to different playing conditions. Learning from this defeat will be essential for the team to evolve and improve in upcoming matches. As England reflects on this series, it is clear that there are areas for improvement that must be addressed if they hope to compete at the highest level in the future.

**Pakistan Spinners Expose England's Batting Vulnerabilities** In a surprising turn of events, England's confidence appeared to wane during their ambitious run chase in Multan, marking a rare moment of doubt under Brendon McCullum's leadership. This week has been particularly favorable for cricket fans outside the traditional powerhouses of the sport. In Dubai, the West Indies eliminated England from the Women’s T20 World Cup, while South Africa delivered a stunning performance against Australia, setting up a final clash with New Zealand. Meanwhile, in Bangalore, New Zealand's men shocked India by collapsing to a mere 46 all out, their lowest Test score on home soil. In Multan, Pakistan achieved a much-needed victory over England, their first in 12 home matches, setting the stage for an exciting series decider in Rawalpindi next week. The turnaround was facilitated by dropping three key players, bringing back seasoned spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, and winning the toss on a pitch that showed signs of wear and tear. This decision was undoubtedly a gamble, but it required a strong performance to back it up—one that showcased Pakistan's remarkable ability to shift from chaos to brilliance in an instant.

Ben Stokes has expressed regret over his behavior during England's defeat in the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, where his team was bowled out for a mere 144 runs on a deteriorating pitch, ultimately losing by 152 runs. Stokes described himself as “a grumpy old man” and acknowledged that his poor body language contributed to the team's struggles. The captain's frustration peaked on Thursday when England missed two straightforward chances to dismiss Salman Agha during Pakistan's second innings. Agha capitalized on these opportunities, scoring over 50 runs and effectively sealing the match for Pakistan. Stokes reflected on the match, stating that the outcome might have been different had England won the toss, indicating that they were at a disadvantage from the start.

**Pakistan vs England: Second Men's Cricket Test, Day Four – Live Updates** The England team is on a mission to chase down a target of 297 runs on the fourth day of the Test match in Multan. As the game progresses, the pressure is mounting, and the tourists will need a remarkable performance to secure a victory. In other cricket news, South Africa has caused a major upset by defeating the reigning Women's T20 World Cup champions, Australia. As the match unfolds, cricket fans are left wondering if we might witness a repeat of the iconic partnership between Ben Stokes and Jack Leach, which has proven pivotal in past matches. England's hopes rest on the shoulders of Matthew Doherty and the rest of the team as they aim for something extraordinary in this crucial phase of the game.

Alastair Cook has hailed Joe Root as a “genius” and a “run-scoring machine” after the 33-year-old surpassed Cook's record to become England's highest Test run-scorer. This milestone came during an impressive innings where Root scored an unbeaten 176 on the third day of the first Test in Pakistan. Root's remarkable performance came after he batted for eight hours in the sweltering heat of Multan. Alongside him, Harry Brook also made a significant contribution, remaining not out on 141. Their efforts helped England reach a total of 492 for three at the end of the day, leaving them just 64 runs short of Pakistan's first innings total. Cook expressed confidence in Root's continued success, stating, “I don’t see Root losing his hunger.”

Jeetan Patel has commended England's bowlers for their resilience on a flat pitch in Pakistan, highlighting their ability to "dig deeper and deeper" during challenging conditions. Despite facing a tough day in Multan, where Pakistan ended the first day at 328 for four, England's bowlers managed to secure three crucial wickets in the final session. Shan Masood led the charge for Pakistan with a remarkable 151 runs, while Abdullah Shafique contributed a solid 102. The duo formed a formidable partnership of 253 runs, propelling Pakistan to a commanding position at 261 for one. However, England's bowlers, including Gus Atkinson, Jack Leach, and Chris Woakes, rallied late in the day to take three wickets, giving England a glimmer of hope in the first Test. Patel, the spin bowling coach, praised the seamers for their outstanding efforts despite the challenging pitch conditions.