In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Pakistan secured a memorable win on Saturday, defeating England in the third Test to claim the three-match series. This win marks Pakistan’s first home Test series victory in nearly three and a half years.
Strong Bowling Leads Pakistan to Victory
After gaining a solid first-innings lead of 77 runs on a spin-friendly pitch, Pakistan’s bowlers took control. Noman Ali (6-42) and Sajid Khan (4-69) bowled brilliantly, restricting England to just 112 runs in their second innings. With a small target of 36 runs to seal the series, Pakistan wrapped up the match on day three despite losing opener Saim Ayub early on.
Spin Dominance as England Struggles
Resuming at 24-3, England’s batting order crumbled under the pressure of Pakistan’s spinners, with Noman and Sajid taking all ten wickets in the innings. Joe Root was the only significant contributor for England, scoring 33 runs in a lackluster performance. Pakistan chased down the target in just 3.1 overs, with captain Shan Masood (23*) leading the charge and securing a 2-1 series win.
Notable Highlights of Pakistan’s Win
- First Home Series Win Since 2021: Pakistan’s last home Test series win was in January 2021 against South Africa.
- Historic Series Against England: This victory marks Pakistan’s fourth home Test series win against England, the first since 2005.
- Breaking an Eight-Year Drought: Pakistan last defeated England in a three-match Test series in the UAE in 2015-16.
- First Victory at Rawalpindi: This is Pakistan’s first Test series win over England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, following a loss to England at the venue in 2022.
- Overcoming Recent Defeats: Pakistan’s home series victory comes after previous home losses to Australia (2022), England (2022), and Bangladesh (2024).
This series win not only ends Pakistan’s series drought against England but also signals a resurgence for the team on home soil, with spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan leading the charge in a dominant performance.
