Sajid and Noman Lead Pakistan to Long-Awaited Test Victory Against England

In a remarkable turnaround, Pakistan's spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali orchestrated a stunning victory against England in Multan, breaking a four-year drought of home Test wins. The triumph came on a pitch that, after days of cricket, came alive in the final moments and turned the match in Pakistan's favor. The roller, deployed by England multiple times to tame the surface, failed to subdue its growing unpredictability, setting the stage for Pakistan’s victory.

The situation was clear for Pakistan: they needed to dismiss England's last eight batters for fewer than 261 runs. Yet, this task was far from straightforward. In recent memory, Pakistan had let strong positions slip in key Test matches, such as during their Melbourne loss to Australia and a similar collapse against Bangladesh. Fielding errors and questionable decisions often left Pakistan with a feeling of "what if" in crucial moments.

This time, however, Pakistan was determined to overcome the disappointments of their recent Test history. Salman Ali Agha, reflecting on the importance of the match, emphasized that it had been far too long since Pakistan won a Test at home. “It’s going to be massive,” he said, speaking on the third day, “because we haven’t won a Test match at home for God knows how many years now.”

The significance of the occasion was not lost on the fans either. Multan, a city known for its passionate cricket crowds, had seen empty stands throughout the series, a stark contrast to the usual turnout. But on the final day, the stands filled with eager spectators, despite the stifling Multan heat. The fans had been yearning for this moment—a chance to witness Pakistan's resurgence in Test cricket.

England's Challenge: A Formidable Batting Line-up

England’s batting lineup was a formidable challenge. Ollie Pope, who had scored a remarkable 196 against India earlier in the year, was well-prepared for subcontinental conditions. Joe Root, one of the best players of spin in modern cricket, alongside Harry Brook, who averaged an astonishing 116 with a strike rate of 96 in Pakistan, added to the threat. And, of course, Ben Stokes, a man capable of producing cricketing miracles (as seen in Headingley 2019), loomed large.

However, on this day, Pakistan’s spinners—Sajid and Noman—were unshakable. They dismantled the English lineup with surgical precision, taking just over an hour and a half to claim the remaining wickets. Sajid and Noman were not even initially part of Pakistan’s plans for this match, having been overlooked for the recent Bangladesh Tests. In fact, Noman was released from the squad before the first Test, and Sajid was not selected at all. But fate intervened, and they were called back following Pakistan’s disappointing loss in the previous Test.

Sajid revealed how desperate he was to play for Pakistan after day two of the second Multan Test. His and Noman’s hunger for redemption was clear, and together, they made history. The duo shared all 20 of England's wickets, marking only the second time in Test cricket history that two spinners have taken all the wickets in a match. Their impact was so significant that Shan Masood, Pakistan's captain, relied solely on them during the crucial fourth innings.

Sajid set the tone early on the final morning when he removed Ollie Pope with a simple return catch. After that, it was Noman's show. He took the remaining seven wickets, finishing with astonishing figures of 8 for 46. England’s batters tried every trick in the book—sweeps, paddles, scoops—but nothing worked. Even Ben Stokes, who briefly looked capable of staging a comeback, was eventually outdone by Noman’s relentless accuracy.

It had been a while since Noman had last bowled for Pakistan, but his previous performance—a seven-wicket haul against Sri Lanka that led to an innings victory—remained fresh in memory. And here, against England, Noman once again proved his match-winning capabilities.

Pakistan Cricket’s Turbulent Times and the Role of the Spinners

Pakistan cricket is often at its best when it is most chaotic, and the events leading up to this victory were no exception. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had made sweeping changes to the selection committee and overhauled team policies during the series, desperate to find a winning formula. These frantic decisions ultimately paid off, as Pakistan finally found the players capable of taking 20 wickets in a Test match—a rarity in their recent history.

For now, Pakistan can breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate this long-awaited victory. The win is not only a testament to the resilience of the players but also a reminder that, even in the absence of regular match-winners, Pakistan has depth in talent. Sajid and Noman’s performances are a testament to this depth and offer hope for the future.

As the final wicket fell, the sound of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's iconic song “Aakhian Udeek Diyan” echoed around the Multan Cricket Stadium. The song, about longing and anticipation, mirrored the feelings of Pakistan’s cricket fans, who had waited for what felt like an eternity for a home Test win. After four long years of heartbreak and near-misses, Pakistan’s victory was a cathartic moment for the team and its supporters.

Looking Forward

Pakistan's victory in Multan is more than just a win; it is a statement. It proves that despite the challenges and the volatility that often surrounds Pakistan cricket, the team still has the talent and determination to succeed at the highest level. The combination of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali showed that Pakistan can still produce match-winning performances, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

With this victory, Pakistan will hope to build momentum for future series. The team now knows that it has the players capable of taking control of matches and turning them in their favor. As Pakistan’s fans celebrated the win, there was a renewed sense of optimism. After all the frustration and heartache of the past few years, Pakistan cricket finally has something to smile about.