Pakistan has clinched a remarkable 2-1 series victory against England by defeating them by 9 wickets in the third Test match held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Match Summary
- Final Target: Pakistan needed to chase down a modest target of 36 runs on the third day, which they accomplished comfortably with the help of openers Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique.
- Key Performers:
- Pakistan’s spin attack, led by Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, played a pivotal role in the series comeback. They dismantled the English batting line-up, taking all ten wickets in three of the four innings throughout the series. Zahid Mahmood chipped in with one wicket in the first innings of the final Test.
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Turning Point
The series took a turn after the first Test, with former cricketer Aaqib Javed guiding the team back to its roots of utilizing spinners effectively in favorable conditions. This strategy proved successful as Pakistan leveled the series in Multan before wrapping it up in Rawalpindi.
Historical Significance
- This victory marks Shan Masood’s first trophy as captain of the Pakistan Test team.
- It is also Pakistan’s first Test series win over England since 2015 and their first series victory since July 2023, when they triumphed over Sri Lanka.
Looking Ahead
With this series concluded, the team’s focus will shift towards an upcoming tour of Australia, where conditions are expected to be significantly different. An announcement regarding the squad for this tour is anticipated soon.