Pakistan achieved a remarkable Test series victory, defeating England by nine wickets on Saturday, thanks to an impressive spin display from Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. The duo dismantled England’s batting order, bowling them out for just 112 runs before Pakistan secured the win before lunch on day three of the third Test in Rawalpindi.
Shan Masood demonstrated his batting skills by hitting five boundaries in just six balls, including a six off Shoaib Bashir that clinched the decisive victory—his first series win as captain. Noman excelled with figures of 6-42, while Sajid contributed 4-69, as England resumed play at 24-3 but crumbled in only 37.2 overs, marking their lowest total in Pakistan.
After England won the first Test by an innings and 47 runs, Pakistan bounced back to claim the second by 152 runs, both held in Multan. Despite losing opener Saim Ayub for eight runs, Masood’s quickfire 23 not out ensured a swift finish.
This victory was especially meaningful for Masood, who had lost his first two series as captain—3-0 to Australia and 2-0 to Bangladesh—since taking over last year. Noman and Sajid were brought into the lineup after England’s dominant first Test performance, and together they captured 39 wickets across the last two Tests, shifting the series in Pakistan’s favor.
Joe Root was the top scorer for England with 33 runs, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled, contributing to Pakistan’s first home series win since beating South Africa in February 2021. England’s previous lowest total was 130, recorded in Lahore in 1987.
The turning point came when Noman dismissed overnight batsman Harry Brook, caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan for 26, followed by Ben Stokes, who fell leg-before for just three runs. Stokes, who missed the first Test due to a hamstring injury, managed only 53 runs across four innings.
Sajid took his sixth wicket by dismissing Jamie Smith, who attempted an aggressive shot but lost his stumps for three. Noman completed his sixth five-wicket haul when Root edged a sharply turning delivery to Rizwan, effectively ending England’s hopes of a comeback. Sajid later dismissed Rehan Ahmed for seven runs, and Noman wrapped up the innings by bowling Jack Leach for ten.
