It is more than I felt I will ever achieve: Jack Leach

On a turning wicket in Multan, England spinner Jack Leach wreaked havoc in the first innings by scalping four wickets for 98 runs to help the visiting side bundle out Pakistan for 202 runs in the first innings. 

En route to his sublime spell of spin bowling, Leach recorded a milestone of 100 Test wickets and was elated after a tough couple of years. 

"I did know coming into the game I needed a couple of wickets. It was a nice feeling. The boys were always really happy for me. I was just pleased to get a wicket in that situation of the game, really," he said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

"I just felt like, I don't know, 100 wickets feels like quite a lot. And it's more than I felt I'll ever achieve. I need to remember that. As sportsmen and as people, it's easy to just push on to the next thing and the next thing and the next thing, and nothing's ever enough," he further added. 

The 31-year-old also credited the role of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum in backing him despite some lukewarm performances. 

"Ben and Baz have a lot to do with that but I also think just I've probably been learning on the job in Test cricket. I feel like I'm getting better and better and learning more and more. It's nice to feel like I'm in control of what I'm doing. Because if we're winning lots of games, then everything kind of takes care of itself.

"I feel like I'm just loving playing for England, the most I've ever loved it. And it's because it's all about the team, it's not about me. And that's a special feeling," he further added. 

The left-arm spinner suffers from Crohn's disease, which is an inflammatory bowel disease and has a major impact on his immune system. Even before the first Test, Leach was in doubt for the series after suffering from a viral infection but playing for England makes everything worth it. 

"I wouldn't think it would have been possible, just probably health-wise more than anything. I was quite close to not playing the first Test, and there are a lot of different challenges. I'm aware everyone has their challenges. I'm aware mine have been quite out there." 

"That's good because I want to be open and honest with people. There've been some definite lows along the way, but it does sort of make it all worth it," he concluded.