Pakistan Turns It Around to Clinch Series 2-1 After Sajid, Noman Special
Root managed to give England a brief lead, but his dismissal by Noman marked a significant turning point, as England's hopes of establishing a formidable total crumbled. Sajid wrapped up the innings, demonstrating his skill by yorking Gus Atkinson and bowling Rehan Ahmed, before Noman claimed the final wicket.
Pakistan 344 (Shakeel 134, Sajid 48, Noman 45; Rehan 4-66, Bashir 3-129) and 37 for 1 (Masood 23) beats England 267 (Smith 89, Duckett 52; Sajid 6-128, Noman 3-88) and 112 (Root 33; Noman 6-42, Sajid 4-69) by nine wickets.**
Dominant Bowling Performance
As seen in the first innings and during the victorious second Test in Multan, spin bowlers Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were instrumental, taking all ten wickets in England's second innings, which crumbled for just 112 runs. Noman claimed 6 for 42, marking his sixth five-wicket haul, while Sajid added 4 for 69 to secure his second match with ten wickets in his 10-Test career.
The Bowling Duo's Impact
The duo of Noman and Sajid has been a revelation since being brought into the squad after England's initial win. Collectively, they have taken 39 wickets in the series—Noman's left-arm spin accounting for 20 at an impressive average of 13.85, while Sajid's off-spin contributed 19 wickets at an average of 21.01. Their performance turned the tide of the series, showcasing the significant impact of their inclusion.
England's Initial Resilience
The day started with England in a precarious position, trailing by 53 runs at 24 for 3. However, a partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook initially seemed promising, as Brook struck Sajid for back-to-back fours early in their innings. This left fans worried that they might witness another game-changing partnership akin to their record-setting 454-run stand in the first Test.
Celebrating a Historic Win
Chasing a target of just 36 runs was always within reach for Pakistan, especially with the pitch offering no significant assistance to bowlers. Even after the dismissal of Saim Ayub, Masood took control, guiding the team to victory in just 3.1 overs. This win represents a significant milestone for Masood, marking his first series victory as captain after a challenging start to his tenure, which included six consecutive defeats prior to the second Test.
With this victory, Pakistan not only clinches the series but also reestablishes itself as a competitive force in home Tests, setting a positive tone for future international fixtures.
