In a thrilling conclusion to the third Test at Rawalpindi, Pakistan turned the tables on England to secure a historic 2-1 series victory, marking their first home Test series win since 2021. The hosts showcased a dominant performance, winning by nine wickets in a match that highlighted the exceptional bowling prowess of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali.
After trailing 1-0 in the series, Pakistan’s resurgence was powered by their spin duo, who shared a staggering 19 out of 20 wickets in the final match. Noman shone brightly with figures of 6 for 42 in England’s second innings, while Sajid contributed with 4 for 69, cementing their roles as match-winners.
Pakistan’s first innings total of 344 was anchored by a brilliant 134 from Saud Shakeel, with valuable contributions from Sajid (48*) and Noman (45). England responded with 267, with Ollie Pope (89) and Ben Duckett (52) leading the charge. However, it was Sajid’s impressive bowling that kept the visitors in check, as he claimed 6 for 128.
Faced with a paltry target of 36 runs after dismissing England for just 112 in their second innings, Pakistan’s chase was marked by aggressive batting from captain Shan Masood. Masood quickly scored 23 off just six balls, hitting four consecutive fours and finishing the match with a six, ensuring the victory was sealed before lunch on day three.
This series win is particularly significant as it reflects Pakistan’s resilience, coming back from a tough start. It is only the second time in their history that they have overturned a series deficit at home. The victory is also a personal triumph for Masood, who has endured a challenging captaincy journey, having lost his first six matches in charge.
The match saw England start with hopes of reducing their deficit, but as soon as Noman and Sajid entered the attack, the tide turned swiftly. England’s final seven wickets crumbled for just 46 runs, a testament to the effective spin bowling that has characterized Pakistan’s success throughout the series.
Pakistan’s bowlers have been pivotal in this turnaround, with Noman taking 20 wickets at an average of 13.85 and Sajid claiming 19 at 21.01 since being included in the squad after the first Test. Their contributions have not only clinched the series but also restored pride in Pakistan cricket at home.
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As the players celebrated their achievement, the team and fans alike can look forward to building on this momentum in future international fixtures, with the series win marking a significant step in Pakistan’s cricketing journey.
Match Scorecard: 3rd Test, Pakistan vs England
Pakistan Innings:
– 1st Innings: 344
– Saud Shakeel: 134
– Sajid Khan: 48*
– Noman Ali: 45
– Rehan Ahmed: 4/66
– Shoaib Bashir: 3/129
– 2nd Innings: 37/1
– Shan Masood: 23*
England Innings:
– 1st Innings: 267
– Ollie Pope: 89
– Ben Duckett: 52
– Sajid Khan: 6/128
– Noman Ali: 3/88
– 2nd Innings: 112
– Joe Root: 33
– Noman Ali: 6/42
– Sajid Khan: 4/69
Result: Pakistan won by 9 wickets