After losing the first Test in Multan, Pakistan completed a sensational turnaround to win the three-match home Test series against England. Riding on the performances of spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, Pakistan won the final two Tests to clinch the series 2-1. This helped Pakistan register a feat for the first time in nearly 30 years. This is the first time Pakistan have won a three-match Test series after losing the first Test since they beat Zimbabwe in similar fashion in 1995.
Pakistan vs England, 3rd Test: As it happened
Noman and Sajid knocked over all 10 England wickets to dismiss the visitors for 112 as Pakistan raced to victory in Rawalpindi before lunch on day three of the third Test.
Captain Shan Masood hammered five boundaries in six balls, launching Shoaib Bashir over the ropes to complete a resounding victory, Pakistan’s first home Test series win since beating South Africa in February 2021.
“We’d like to dedicate this to the people of Pakistan, who’ve been through a lot,” said Masood, who had lost his previous two series — 3-0 to Australia and 2-0 to Bangladesh — since taking charge last year.
“Hopefully this will put a smile on people’s faces, and hopefully we can have full houses during matches.”
The 2-1 series win appeared improbable after England destroyed the hosts in the first Test in Multan by an innings and 47 runs, leading to the axing of superstars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, as well as pacer Naseem Shah.
Replacements Noman and Sajid turned the series on its head, knocking over 39 wickets between them in the subsequent two Tests. Pakistan took the second match by 152 runs, also in Multan.
“The first win came after a long time and it was backed up by a series win. It’s special,” Masood said.
“For everyone, to stand up and give their best, it means a lot. It’s about character. To be here and standing as the winning team, it’s the most special thing for us.”
Noman finished with figures of 6-42 and Sajid 4-69 after England resumed the day on 24-3 but were dismissed in 37.2 overs for their lowest total in Pakistan.
England’s previous lowest total was 130 in Lahore in 1987.
(With AFP Inputs)
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