An incredible statistic! Shubman Gill’s solo England record highlights Pakistan’s batting crisis

Shubman Gill and Babar Azam (Image Agency) Pakistan’s batting crisis has reached an extreme point in their ongoing Test series against England. After three Tests, the entire Pakistan team is now just 11 runs short of the 754 runs that Shubman Gill single-handedly scored during India’s five-Test series in England last year.Gill finished India’s five-Test campaign with 754 runs and established himself as one of the standout performers of the series. Meanwhile, Pakistan managed 743 runs in the first two Tests and in the opening innings of the third Test at Edgbaston.Their latest collapse, bowled out for just 133 on Wednesday, brought Pakistan tantalizingly close to an unwanted statistical milestone.

Pakistan’s batting crisis deepens

The latest setback came at a particularly turbulent time for Pakistan cricket. After the defeats at Headingley and Lord’s, the Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes to the Test set-up. Seven players were removed from the squad while the coaching staff was also sacked as the management tried to shake up a side that had struggled badly during the series.However, the changes did not provoke an immediate reaction in Edgbaston.When asked how difficult it was to lead Pakistan through such turbulent circumstances, Babar Azam insisted that he was not affected by the situation.“It’s not difficult. Yes, we had a few changes after that, but I think it’s a good opportunity for the new guys, and yes, we’re trying to do our best in this match,” said Babar.However, the first session suggested that Pakistan’s problems had carried over to Birmingham with them.

Another collapse of the highest order

When he was put into bat, Pakistan lost wickets regularly and were bowled out for 133.Ollie Robinson batted first, catching recalled opener Saim Ayub lbw for a duck to claim his 100th Test wicket. Jofra Archer then featured debutant Azan Awais before Abdullah Shafique fell to Robinson.Shan Masood was next, caught at mid-wicket by Archer after another poor cross bat.Tongue then took charge, dismissing Pakistan captain Babar Azam and removing debutants Ghazi Ghori and Imran Randhawa before lunch.Razaullah Khan fell for 11 in the afternoon session, leaving Saud Shakeel as Pakistan’s only meaningful resistance.Shakeel, who struggled for 97 in the defeat at Lord’s, was on top again with 43 before Tongue bowled him with a crisp swing.Archer finished with 3-25, Robinson took 3-15 from 11 overs and Tongue took 4-42 as Pakistan were dismissed for 133.England then extended their advantage in the first innings. Ben Duckett was dismissed for 11 by Muhammad Ali while Jordan Cox fell for four to Muhammad Abbas. But Emilio Gay and Harry Brook reached fifties to give England command.The hosts reached 156-4 at stumps and took a 23-run lead despite Joe Root falling lbw for the tenth time in 13 innings.Robinson was particularly impressive as he moved from 99 to 102 Test wickets, conceding just 15 runs in 11 overs. His Test bowling average of 19.1 is the best among post-war bowlers with more than 100 dismissals.Pakistan’s 743 runs in the first three Tests so far makes the Gill comparison impossible to ignore. Gill himself scored 754 runs during India’s five-Test series in England last year. Pakistan needed two complete Tests and one third innings to get within 11 runs of that tally. The comparison is a striking illustration of the gulf between individual consistency and Pakistan’s collective batting during this series.