Lahore: Spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan led Pakistan to a resounding nine-wicket victory over England in the deciding third Test on Saturday, sealing a memorable 2-1 series triumph. The duo’s powerful performance left England’s batting lineup in tatters and crowned Pakistan’s first home Test series win in three years.
Pakistan’s dominance began with a solid first-innings lead of 77 runs on a spin-friendly pitch. Noman Ali, with figures of 6-42, and Sajid Khan, with 4-69, dismantled England’s batting order in the second innings. England struggled to 112 all out, setting Pakistan a modest target of 36 runs to win.
The spinners claimed 19 of the 20 wickets in this match, a testament to their effectiveness on a pitch that heavily favored spin. Pakistan’s lone seamer, Aamer Jamal, wasn’t even called upon, underscoring the conditions that made spin the game-changer.
Swift Chase to Victory
Pakistan lost the wicket of Saim Ayub early in the chase, but the target remained within easy reach. Captain Shan Masood showed his intent by hitting four consecutive boundaries off Jack Leach, bringing Pakistan closer to the win. He followed it up with a six off Shoaib Bashir, sealing the victory and setting off celebrations in the home crowd.
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Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, who were brought into the series mid-way, proved invaluable. The pair took a staggering 39 of the 40 English wickets in the last two Tests, underscoring their critical role in Pakistan’s victory. Their performance illustrated Pakistan’s reliance on spin and the challenges England faced on the spinning track.
England’s top order faltered against the spinning duo. Only Joe Root, with a patient 33, managed to hold his ground briefly. Once he fell to Noman, Pakistan’s win seemed inevitable. England captain Ben Stokes’ dismissal, trapped lbw by a Noman delivery, symbolized their struggles against Pakistan’s spin attack.
Pakistan’s First Home Series Win in Three Years
This victory marks Pakistan’s first home Test series win since defeating South Africa 2-0 three years ago. The series also highlights Pakistan’s strategy of leveraging spin-friendly pitches to their advantage, with Noman and Sajid delivering outstanding performances.
The series exposed England’s vulnerability on spin-heavy surfaces. Despite their attempts to counter Pakistan’s spinners, England’s batting lineup failed to establish itself throughout the series. This final Test only further emphasized their challenges in adapting to conditions favoring spin.
The Green Team’s triumph, driven by Noman and Sajid’s impeccable spin bowling, is a significant boost for Pakistan’s Test cricket, showing the potential of their home-grown talent and effective strategy.
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