England opener Ben Duckett continued his rich vein of form with a sensational century on Day 2 of the second Test against Pakistan in Multan. Duckett’s innings of 114, studded with 16 fours, not only helped England establish a dominant position but also saw him become the fastest player in terms of balls faced to reach 2,000 runs in Test cricket.
Duckett, who entered the match needing 88 runs to reach the 2,000-run milestone, achieved it in just 2,293 balls, surpassing the previous record held by New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who took 2,418 balls to reach the same mark. Playing in his 28th Test match and 51st innings, Duckett averaged an impressive 42.20.
This was Duckett’s fourth Test hundred and he also boasted 11 fifties as well. His ability to score quickly was on full display, as he reached his half-century off just 47 deliveries. The star opener dominated a 73-run opening partnership with Zak Crawley (27) before forging a 52-run stand with Ollie Pope (29).
Duckett maintained his aggressive approach throughout, bringing up his century in the final session of the day. Duckett’s confidence against both spin and pace was evident as he stroked boundaries all around the ground. Though Pakistan’s bowlers found success in patches, Duckett’s assured footwork and clinical shot selection kept them at bay.
Pakistan’s spinner Sajid Khan eventually dismissed Duckett for 114, bringing an end to a scintillating knock that had further tilted the game in England’s favor. His innings not only helped England build a commanding total but also saw him breach the 2,000-run mark in Test cricket, finishing the day with a career tally of 2,026 runs.
The England opener has now crossed 1,500 runs in the World Test Championship, joining an elite group of seven English players to achieve this feat. Duckett’s WTC tally includes three centuries and nine fifties, further highlighting his importance in England’s red-ball setup.
