In cricket, flat pitches that predominantly favour batsmen are often referred to as “roads” or “highways.” This terminology reflects the smooth and even surface of the pitch, making it easy for batsmen to score runs.

A “road” is typically described as a very hard and flat pitch, ideal for batting. Synonyms such as “street” and “highway” may also be used in the same context.

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Why are flat batting pitches in cricket called ‘roads’ and ‘highways’?

On flat pitches, there is minimal assistance for bowlers, as the surface lacks imperfections that could cause the ball to bounce unevenly or turn. Batsmen thrive on these pitches, as they can play their shots freely without worrying about unpredictable movement from the ball.

The comparison to roads and highways highlights the idea that scoring runs is as straightforward as driving along a well-maintained road. On these pitches, the ball travels smoothly, and boundaries become more frequent.

This scenario often leads to high-scoring games and can frustrate bowlers who find it challenging to take wickets. As a result, fans may see aggressive batting displays and fewer bowling successes when the pitch conditions are flat.

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What happened in the first Test match between Pakistan and England?

The flat, road-like pitch in Multan for the first Test between Pakistan and England exemplified why such surfaces favour batsmen. By the end of Day 1, Pakistan had reached 328 for 4, thanks to captain Shan Masood’s impressive 151 and Abdullah Shafique’s 102.

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The pair built a second-wicket partnership of 253 runs, making England’s inexperienced bowling attack toil in high temperatures. The pitch gave little assistance to England’s bowlers, with Masood and Shafique capitalizing on the predictable bounce and pace.

England’s Chris Woakes and debutant Brydon Carse found it difficult to extract movement, and Pakistan’s batsmen made the most of the road-like conditions. The ball came on nicely to the bat, making it easier to score boundaries, particularly in the afternoon session when the bowlers struggled to find breakthroughs.

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As the match progresses, England will need to adapt quickly to these pitch conditions to compete effectively against the home side.