Pakistan Ends Home Test Drought with Thumping Victory Against England
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| Pakistan won the 2nd Test match against England by 152 runs, ending an 11-game losing streak at home. / Getty |
In a remarkable turnaround, Pakistan secured a historic win at home, defeating England by 152 runs in the second Test of the series, ending a winless streak of over three years. The victory not only marks Pakistan's first Test win on home soil since early 2021 but also levels the three-match series at 1-1, setting up an exciting decider in Rawalpindi.
Historic Bowling Feats
The standout performers for Pakistan were their spinners, particularly Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan, who dominated the English batting line-up. Nauman Ali's exceptional bowling figures of 11/79 are now among the best by an off-spinner for Pakistan in Test history, second only to Zulfiqar Ahmed's 11/79 against New Zealand in 1955. Meanwhile, Sajid Khan's remarkable 9/204 showcased the spin duo's ability to dismantle the opposition, with Nauman's 8/46 ranking as the second-best bowling figures in an innings by a Pakistani bowler at home.
Match Recap
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first on a surface that proved challenging for both teams. After losing a couple of early wickets, the partnership between debutant Kamran Ghulam and Saim Ayub steadied the ship. Ghulam, who replaced Babar Azam, made a stunning debut, scoring 118 runs off 224 balls to secure his maiden international century. Pakistan finished their first innings at 366 runs, with Jack Leach claiming 4/114 for England.
England began their reply strongly, with Ben Duckett scoring a quickfire 114 off just 129 deliveries. At one point, the visitors looked comfortable at 211/2. However, Pakistan's spinners staged a remarkable fightback, taking four wickets in the final hour of Day 2, which ultimately saw England bowled out for 291 runs.
In their second innings, Pakistan faced difficulties, managing only 221 runs despite a crucial contribution from Agha Salman, who scored 63 runs. Setting England a target of 297 runs on a tricky pitch, the hosts relied on their spinners to deliver once again.
Spin Dominance
England's second innings turned into a nightmare as they struggled against the Pakistan spin attack. Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan ran riot, claiming all 20 wickets in the match between them. England's batting crumbled to 144 runs in just 33.3 overs, with the spinners showcasing their mastery over the conditions. The visitors lost both openers early and never recovered, falling short of the target.
A Sigh of Relief for Pakistan
This win is a significant milestone for Shan Masood, marking his first victory as Pakistan's Test captain and providing a much-needed boost for a team that had faced criticism for its home performance. With the series level, all eyes will be on Rawalpindi for the final Test, where both teams will be eager to claim victory.
For Pakistan, this win is not just a statistic; it symbolizes resilience and a fresh start for a team aiming to restore its dominance in Test cricket. As they head to the series decider, the entire nation breathes a sigh of relief, looking forward to more thrilling cricket in the days to come.