Noman, Sajid spin Pakistan to historic series victory against England
Pakistan's spin pair dazzle with yet another wonderful bowling display as the hosts complete a 2-1 Test series win against England.
Following up on their exploits in the second Test in Multan, the spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan produced an equally impressive show in Rawalpindi as Pakistan registered a nine-wicket victory in the third Test, thereby clinching the series.
This is Pakistan's first home series victory since February 2021 and their first Test series win over England since November 2015.
The consecutive wins came on the back of a massive an innings and 47-run defeat in the first Test, boosting Pakistan one place up the ICC World Test Championship 2025 table. Pakistan are now at No.7, just below England at No.6.
ICC World Test Championship 2025 Standings
Pakistan achieve their first Test series victory under the leadership of Shan Masood 👏#WTC25 | #PAKvENG 📝: https://t.co/87QqjAVXzJ pic.twitter.com/h5beApSmrK
— ICC (@ICC) October 26, 2024
The pair accounted for nine wickets in the first innings with Sajid Khan claiming 6/128, his third five-plus-wicket haul in Tests, while Noman Ali registered figures of 3/88, which included the crucial scalps of the England openers.
Despite winning the toss and opting to bat, England could only put 267 on the board and apart from the a half-century opening stand and quality knocks from Jamie Smith (89) and Gus Atkinson (39) lower down the order, did not offer much resistance.
In response, Pakistan's otherwise listless batting was boosted by a superb century from Saud Shakeel (134), that ended up providing a handy 77-run lead to the hosts.
Noman and Sajid then combined to derail England's second innings. None of the batters lasted as the spin assault continued from both sides. At the end of second day, England had already lost three wickets. They could only add 88 more runs the next morning as Noman and Sajid ran through the batting line-up.
A fighting knock from Saud Shakeel gave Pakistan a crucial first-innings lead in Rawalpindi 💪#WTC25 | #PAKvENG 📝: https://t.co/JIFNXPabK7 pic.twitter.com/lucUaF83nS
— ICC (@ICC) October 25, 2024
England were bowled out for 112, their second-lowest total against Pakistan in Tests with the host spinners once again taking all 20 wickets like the previous match. The duo have accounted for 39 of the 40 wickets in the last two Tests.
This was also the first time Pakistan's pace bowlers did not bowl a single ball in a Test.