In a thrilling turn of events, Pakistan ended their 44-month winless stretch in home Test cricket, securing a decisive victory against England in Multan. This result in the second Test of the three-match series not only leveled the score at 1-1 but also set the stage for a gripping series decider in Rawalpindi. Pakistan’s triumph, built on a track that began to deteriorate significantly, ended their prolonged drought, signaling a moment of resurgence for the home team.
The Multan Test match will be remembered for the masterful spin bowling showcased by veteran Pakistani spin duo Sajid Khan and Noman Ali. These formidable spinners captured all 20 English wickets, bringing back memories of spin magic from days past. As the pitch began to turn more aggressively from effectively the seventh day after the first Test encounter, the momentum swung in Pakistan’s favor.
The game commenced with Pakistan posting a solid first-innings score of 366 runs, largely thanks to debutant Kamran Ghulam’s impressive maiden Test century. The hosts had earlier experienced the sting of a heavy loss, succumbing to a mammoth 823/7 drubbing in the preceding match. As England began their innings, openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett seemed untroubled, advancing rapidly and building what appeared to be a strong foundation for their reply.
However, the seeming ease with which England batted was quickly shattered. Pakistan’s spinners took center stage as the wicket started showing signs of wear. England’s batting line-up, initially thriving at 211/2, crumbled spectacularly, losing four key wickets for just 14 runs. This sudden collapse changed the course of the match dramatically, and what once seemed like a straightforward chase for England quickly spiraled into a bout of survival.
Sajid Khan, making a significant impact on his return, led the charge with a bowling masterclass, consistently troubling the English batsmen.
. With his trademark twirling moustache and infectious enthusiasm, Sajid captured seven wickets in the first innings, helping Pakistan to secure a crucial 75-run lead.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first had turned out to be a crucial decision by captain Shan Masood. Under pressure after losing all his previous six matches as the team’s leader, the decision proved vital on a deteriorating wicket. Pakistan, for once in recent memory during a home series, experienced a third innings without the usual pressure, setting the stage for them to dictate terms to the tourists.
Despite losing wickets themselves, Pakistan managed to set up a daunting target for England, thanks largely to a determined ninth-wicket partnership between Salman Agha and Sajid Khan. Agha’s contribution was instrumental, and alongside Sajid, they compiled a crucial 65-run stand that not only pushed Pakistan’s total past the 200-run mark but also extended their lead to over 280 runs.
Faced with a challenging target of 297, England’s task appeared formidable. Despite a promising start from former captain Joe Root, England’s defiance was short-lived. Noman Ali, having already made an impact with three wickets in the first innings, was unstoppable in the second, claiming an impressive eight-wicket haul. Sajid chipped in with two more dismissals to ultimately push England to the brink and seal Pakistan’s long-awaited victory.
This win not only placed Pakistan in a promising position but also rejuvenated their confidence ahead of the series decider in Rawalpindi. The nature of the pitch at Rawalpindi will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the outcome, and if it mirrors the conditions seen in the second Test, Pakistan will fancy their chances of clinching the series.
This thrilling performance by the Pakistani spinners has reshaped the narrative of the series and reminded the cricketing world of the rich spin heritage Pakistan possesses. As the teams head into the final test, fans eagerly anticipate whether Pakistan can ride the wave of momentum from this emphatic win and finally seize a series victory at home.
