Rawalpindi — Pakistan won the series on Saturday after defeating England by nine wickets in the series’ final Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
This third Test was crucial because both teams had already won one game apiece in Multan.
After scoring 267 runs in their first innings, England had reached 24 runs with three wickets down in their second innings by the conclusion of Day 2, while Pakistan had responded with 344 runs.
Day 3 saw a serious batting collapse for England, who resumed at 24/3. Following the early dismissals of Ollie Pope (1), Ben Duckett (12), and Zak Crawley (2) the day before, England’s resistance weakened even further when Harry Brook was dismissed for 26. Jimmy Smith subsequently joined Joe Root at the crease but was dismissed for three runs and captain Ben Stokes came next, scoring just three runs.
While veteran Joe Root displayed some perseverance with 33 runs before being removed by Nauman Ali, Gus Atkinson only managed 10 more before being bowled by Sajid Khan. With Sajid Khan taking four and Nauman Ali taking six wickets, England’s innings ended at a pitiful 112, leaving Pakistan with a goal of just 36 runs.
Pakistan won the series thanks to their strong spin bowling performance and resounding victory in the Rawalpindi Test.
Joe Root was on five and Harry Brook was on three when England started their second inning at 24 for three. But Nauman Ali started quickly, removing Brook for 26 and then dismissing captain Ben Stokes for only 3.
When Sajid Khan bowled Jamie Smith at 75 runs after scoring three, England’s decline continued.
The team’s score was at 97 when Sajid Khan bowled Gus Atkinson, and at 106, England lost their ninth wicket when Rehan Ahmed left for seven also bowled by Sajid Khan.
Pakistan answered to England’s 267 runs in the first inning with 344 runs giving them a 77-run lead. Since England’s batting order is struggling, Pakistan’s spinners have made it easier for the home team to control the game.
There is now a 1-1 tie in the three-match Test series.
Pakistan Playing Xl:
- Shan Masood (C)
- Saud Shakeel
- Saim Ayub
- Abdullah Shafique
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Kamran Ghulam
- Salman Ali Agha
- Aamir Jamal
- Nauman Ali
- Zahid Mahmood
- Sajid Khan
England Playing Xl:
- Ben Stokes (C)
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Jamie Smith
- Rehan Ahmed
- Jack Leach
- Shoaib Bashir
- Gus Atkinson