Watch: Joe Root shines ball with Jack Leach’s ‘shiny’ head in Multan

England’s star batter Joe Root opted for a unique way to shine the ball on Day 1 of the 2nd Test against Pakistan in Multan. Root used Jack Leach’s head to shine the ball during the 1st innings on October 15, Tuesday. Joe Root found a unique way to keep the ball shining amid the spinning conditions in Multan. With saliva banned due to COVID-19 protocols, players have had to get creative to maintain the ball’s polish. And Root’s method? He rubbed the ball on Jack Leach’s bald head! Yes, you read that right—England’s premier batter was busy buffing the ball on his teammate’s gleaming scalp.
If you’re wondering whether this was some spur-of-the-moment brilliance, think again! Root’s scalp-shining trick isn’t new. He tried the same stunt during England’s 2022 tour of Pakistan, rubbing the ball on Leach’s head in the first Test’s 73rd over. Clearly, when it comes to Root, anything is possible—whether it’s scoring runs or finding innovative ways to shine the red ball.
PAK vs ENG 2nd Test: Live updates
The 2nd Test between Pakistan and England is underway at the Multan Stadium. Shan Masood won the toss, and Pakistan opted to bat first. It is worth noting that Pakistan has opted for the same pitch that was prepared for the first Test, which turned out to be a run-fest. In the first Test, England beat Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs after posting 800-plus runs in their first innings. For the ongoing match, Pakistan opted for a spin-friendly track, and England’s Jack Leach immediately came into play. Leach took two wickets in his first three overs to leave the hosts crippled. He further became the first England spinner to take wickets in the first ten overs of a Test match since 1889.
Leach cleaned up Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique with a beautiful delivery and dismissed captain Shan Masood to leave them reeling at 19/2. However, Kamran Ghulam, who made his debut, scored a fifty and came in as a support for Saim Ayub who also notched up his half-century as their stand took Pakistan out of trouble.