Pakistan Clinches Series Victory by 2-1 Over England with Stunning Comeback after 1st match defeat
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| Pakistan secure its first home series win since 2021, ending a four-Test series drought / Getty |
Multan: In a thrilling conclusion to the Test series, Pakistan has emerged victorious over England, claiming the final Test by 9 wickets and winning the series 2-1. After a disappointing start in the first Test, the hosts demonstrated incredible resilience and skill, fueled by a remarkable performance from their spin duo, Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali.
A Battle of Spin
England won the toss and opted to bat first, but their decision backfired as they suffered a middle-order collapse, managing to post only 267 runs. Jamie Smith was the standout performer for the visitors, scoring a gritty 89, while Ben Duckett (52) and Gus Atkinson (39) provided some stability. Sajid Khan was the star with the ball for Pakistan, taking 6 wickets for 128 runs, and Nauman Ali supported him well with 3 for 88.
In response, Pakistan's innings was led by Saud Shakeel, whose aggressive 134 off 223 balls anchored the team and ensured a first-innings lead of 77 runs. Sajid Khan proved invaluable with a brisk unbeaten 48 runs off just 48 deliveries, while Nauman contributed 45 runs, consolidating Pakistan's position.
England's Second Innings Struggles
Back at the crease for their second innings, England faltered again, managing only 112 runs. Nauman and Sajid continued to dominate, sharing 10 wickets between them; Nauman picked up an impressive 6 for 42, while Sajid claimed 4 for 69. Joe Root's 33 was the highest score in a struggling batting lineup, with Harry Brook adding 26 runs as the pair put together a 46-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but it wasn't enough to withstand the Pakistani spin assault.
Series Clinched in Style
Chasing a modest target of 36 runs to clinch the series, Pakistan lost Saim Ayub early after a promising start, with Ayub striking two boundaries before falling to Jack Leach, who was the only bowler to claim a wicket in the innings. However, captain Shan Masood made his intentions clear, quickly dispatching the ball to the boundary with 4 fours and a towering six over long off to finish the match and seal the series victory.
A Historic Comeback
This win marks Pakistan's first series victory at home since 2021 and their first Test series win against England since November 2015. The remarkable turnaround, led by the exceptional performances of Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali, showcased Pakistan's ability to bounce back after a challenging start to the series. As the team celebrates in the dressing room and the stands, this series victory will surely be remembered as a testament to their resilience and talent on home soil.