Pakistan broke a three-year drought on home soil by dismissing England for just 112 runs in Rawalpindi, clinching the series victory. Spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were instrumental, taking all 10 wickets to seal the win, marking Pakistan’s first Test victory under the leadership of Shan Masood and their first home win since February 2021.
Chasing a modest target, Pakistan suffered an early loss as opener Saim Ayub fell for 8 runs, dismissed by Jack Leach. Captain Shan Masood stepped in with a quick-fire 23 off just six balls, including four boundaries and a six, to secure Pakistan’s victory. Sajid Khan, with 19 wickets across the two matches, was named Man of the Series for his exceptional performance.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s spin attack dismantled England’s batting lineup. England managed only 112 runs in their second innings, ending with a 35-run lead. Noman Ali led the charge with impressive figures of 6 for 42, while Sajid Khan contributed 4 for 69, proving to be too much for the English batters.
Resuming on a shaky 24 for 3, England’s top scorer Joe Root managed 33 runs before Pakistan’s spinners took control. England had previously won the series opener by an innings and 47 runs, with Pakistan rebounding in Multan with a 152-run victory in the second Test.
During Pakistan’s second innings, Shan Masood scored 26, while Mohammad Rizwan added 25 and Aamer Jamal 14. Noman Ali and Saud Shakeel formed a crucial 88-run partnership for the eighth wicket, with Noman scoring 45 and Saud reaching 134. Zahid Mahmood fell for a duck, while Sajid Khan remained unbeaten with 48 runs.
For England’s bowling side, Rehan Ahmed led with four wickets, followed by Shoaib Bashir with three, Gus Atkinson with two, and Jack Leach with one.
In England’s second innings, top-order batters struggled; Ben Duckett made 12, Zak Crawley 2, and Ollie Pope 1. The first day’s play concluded with Pakistan at 73 for 3 in 23 overs, Abdullah Shafique scoring 14, Saim Ayub 19, and Kamran Ghulam 3. Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel, with 16 each, were set to resume the following day.
In England’s first innings, they posted 267 runs, beginning with a solid 56-run start from openers Zak Crawley (29) and Ben Duckett (52). However, the middle order struggled, with notable scores from Jamie Smith (91) and Gus Atkinson (39) contributing in a seventh-wicket partnership of 107 runs.
For Pakistan, Sajid Khan led the bowling attack with six wickets, supported by Noman Ali with three and Zahid Mahmood with one. England’s captain Ben Stokes initially opted to bat after winning the toss, aiming to put Pakistan under early pressure. In response, Shan Masood expressed a strategy centered on spin to counter the English lineup.
Squads
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood.
England: Ben Stokes (captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.
