Watch: Joe Root shines the ball on Jack Leach’s bald head in Multan

England’s batting master Joe Root and star spinner Jack Leach were seen engaging in a hilarious moment on Day 1 of the ongoing second Test against Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

The England cricket team has already made a strong statement by winning the first Test in Multan convincingly by an innings and 47 runs, despite a valiant effort from Pakistan.

Joe Root and Jack Leach's hilarious moment steals the show in Multan Test

In the three-match Test series opener, the Multan pitch was a batting paradise, offering little to the bowlers early on. However, England’s bowlers, along with their ruthless batting lineup, outclassed the Pakistan cricket team and capitalized on every opportunity.

The English team is now looking to carry their momentum into the second Test, for which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is using the same surface that they used during their team’s humiliating loss to the tourists in their own backyard.

However, this pitch for the second Test has a lot to offer, and England are using three spinners in the game against Pakistan. Pakistan captain Shan Masood, after winning the toss, chose to bat first against England in the ongoing Test in Multan.

Joe Root's quirky ball-shining tactic goes viral

However, the plan didn’t go as expected, with the home side quickly finding themselves in trouble, losing two early wickets to Jack Leach.

England spinner Jack Leach took two wickets in his first three overs to leave the Pakistan cricket team frustrated in the first session of Day 1 of the ongoing Multan Test.

Leach went on to become the first England spinner to take wickets in the first ten overs of a Test match since 1889.

Meanwhile, Jack Leach has not only grabbed the headlines for his remarkable achievement in Multan but also grabbed attention when Joe Root was seen using his head to shine the ball.

During the opening day of the second Test between England and Pakistan in Multan, Joe Root was spotted rubbing the ball on spinner Jack Leach's bald head. The England Cricket shared the video on its social media handle to show how Root used a unique method to shine the ball.

Watch how Joe Root funnily shines the ball using Jack Leach's head here:

Shiny head 🤝 Shiny ball pic.twitter.com/2yqEESpaeu

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 15, 2024

Joe Root finding the best ways to shine the ball 🤣 pic.twitter.com/nUnI58voVI

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 15, 2024

Interestingly, this wasn't the first time Root attempted this playful move. He had done a similar stunt with Leach during England’s last tour of Pakistan.

Since the use of saliva to shine the ball was banned after the COVID-19 pandemic, players have had to find creative ways to keep the ball polished and maintain its condition during play.

Players are using their sweat to shine the ball during the matches, and Root has adopted this unique way to not only shine the ball but also give some fun moments to the spectators.

England must secure victory in all four of their upcoming Test matches to enhance their chances of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 finals.