Pakistan made a stunning comeback in the ongoing three-match Test series against England after a crushing defeat in the second Test at Multan Cricket Stadium. The Shan Masood-led team entered the series after being whitewashed at home by Bangladesh, putting them under immense pressure to perform.
After losing the first Test by an innings and 47 runs, Pakistan made bold decisions that proved to be game-changers. The hosts dropped key players, including superstar Babar Azam, pacer Naseem Shah, and the fiery Shaheen Afridi, from the squad for the remaining two Tests. Additionally, they chose to play on the same surface used in the first Test, which had raised eyebrows initially.
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The gamble paid off handsomely, as Pakistan ended an 11-match winless streak at home by securing a commanding 152-run victory over England in the second Test. This victory leveled the series 1-1 in dramatic fashion on Friday, October 18, at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan’s success hinged on their decision to field a spin-heavy attack. The pairing of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan proved unstoppable, wreaking havoc on England’s batting line-up. The duo took a combined total of 20 wickets in the match, with Noman leading the charge by claiming 11 wickets, while Sajid backed him up with 9 scalps.
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This performance marked a historic moment for Pakistan, as both spinners achieved five-wicket hauls in the same match for the first time since 1987. It was also the seventh time in Pakistan’s cricket history that two spinners took five-wicket hauls in a single game, underscoring the team’s remarkable turnaround in the series.
Winning moment after 1338 Days 💚
Noman Ali magic 🫡#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/tZ6Z9PhkLc
— Waheed Malik (@waheed__malik) October 18, 2024
Time for the English media to start crying. Steven Finn says the result was fully dependant on toss. Doesn’t give any credit to the Pakistan team. Australian media is right in calling them cry babies. #PAKvsENG
— Yousuf Ali (@usufleo) October 18, 2024
PAKISTAN WON A TEST MATCH AT HOME AFTER 1338 DAYS 👏
Pakistan defeat England #PAKvsENG #benstokes pic.twitter.com/vXf3GbGLUd
— sports cricket (@cricket_new07) October 18, 2024
Pakistan winning a test match and India on the verge of losing a test match in India by a huge margin. An unexpected turn of events in the world of cricket 😂 #IndvsNZ #PAKvsENG
— Biswajit 📚 🖊️ 👓 (@biswa_1211) October 18, 2024
Selection on Merit wins you games!
Babar’s influence never allowed domestic toppers to team!
In batting Shines Kamran Ghulam, the new talent!
In the bowling unit, Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali outclassed England batters!#PAKvsENG pic.twitter.com/kjG23msU0k— Berzabb (@Berzabb) October 18, 2024
Finally
Finally
FinallyPAKISTAN wins after 3 long long years at home, SPIN TO WIN.
Noman ali takes 8 wickets in second inning! #PAKvsENG #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/yFlZB6CnNp— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) October 18, 2024
Well Done to captain Shan Masood and rest of the team especially Kamran Ghulam, Sajid Khan, and Noman Ali. #PakistanCricket #PAKvsENG pic.twitter.com/nDHb3WAOqW
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) October 18, 2024
Do you guys really think that Babar Azam is a panuti 🤨…. I don’t think so 🥺 #PAKvENG #ENGvPAK #Babar
— Shafaat Imtiaz (@shafaat_imtiaz) October 18, 2024
