Pakistan finally returned to winning ways as they defeated England comprehensively by 152 runs in the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 18, to restore parity in the three-match series. After Sajid Khan’s heroics in the first innings, fellow spinner Noman Ali wreaked havoc in the second as Pakistan managed to end their 11-match winless streak at home.
England started Day 4 at 36/2, needing another 261 runs to win. However, they suffered a huge setback in the second over of the day as Ollie Pope was dismissed by Sajid for 22. A few overs later, the in-form Joe Root was out LBW to Noman. The Pakistan team would have hoped to get the former England captain out early in the day and that is exactly what they managed to do.
Also Read: Who is Sajid Khan? Everything you need to know about the Pakistan bowler who once sold cellphones, now bamboozling England batters
This was just the beginning of the Noman Ali show and the 38-year-old spun a web around the England batters with his accuracy and guile. Ben Stokes tried to play his shots but his 37-run innings off 36 balls was cut short by Noman, who had him stumped by Mohammad Rizwan. Stokes and Brydon Carse stitched an enterprising partnership of 37 runs off 32 balls but they had too much work left to do on a difficult track.
Carse departed for a 32-ball 27 after hitting three sixes. Jamie Smith, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir couldn’t get to double-digit scores as England were bowled out for 144 in 33.3 overs.
Noman finished with stunning figures of 8/46 in 16.3 overs. This turned out to be his best figures in international cricket. Sajid also contributed by picking up two wickets, adding to the seven he scalped in England’s first innings. Interestingly, all 20 England wickets were taken by the pair of Noman and Sajid as the former had picked up three wickets in the first innings.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Pakistan’s morale-boosting win:
Fantastic win at home!
Congratulations to Pakistan
Noman Ali and Sajid khan were exceptional, along with a dream debut for Kamran Ghulam and massive contribution from Salman Ali Agha. Keep it going, Inshallah! 🙌🏻🏏
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) October 18, 2024
Pakistan cricket need impactful performances like Kamran Ghulam 💯, Salman Agha 50, Sajid khan 9 wickets & Noman Ali 11 wickets for winning cause. Surely not PR agencies……
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 18, 2024
Winning moments 📸
Pakistan beat England by 1️⃣5️⃣2️⃣ runs 🏏#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/AxAQX89cse
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 18, 2024
Congratulations Team Pakistan
Good home victory after 3 years 8 months and 11 days. #PAKvENG brilliant bowling Noman Ali and Sajid pic.twitter.com/x39GzwDaQw
— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) October 18, 2024
“Pakistan Cricket Khattam Nahe Huwe”
Pakistan Cricket is back#tapmad #DontStopStreaming #PakvEng pic.twitter.com/i8MdN9JdcZ
— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) October 18, 2024
Terrific comeback win by Pakistan to level the series.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 18, 2024
🚨 Pakistan win a Test match at home after 1348 days 🚨#PAKvENG | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/j3F0LXwfFf
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) October 18, 2024
Outstanding performance by the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, sharing all 20 wickets to clinch a historic Test win for Pakistan! 🏏🔥 A moment to remember for the ages! 🇵🇰 Onwards and upwards for Pakistan cricket!#PAKvsENG
#GreenTeam pic.twitter.com/YsKxcKZGiN
— Mansoor Rana (@mansoorrana205) October 18, 2024
Bigger risks = bigger rewards!
When you cannot prepare wickets to support your fast bowlers, the best strategy was to put trust in your spinners, and this has paid off.
Kudos to the Pakistan cricket team, especially Kamran G, Salman Ali, Noman A and Sajid Khan.
Look forward to… https://t.co/Ca5BOIPKVt
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 18, 2024
Noman Ali 11 wickets
Sajid Khan 9 wickets
This is only the 7th time in Test history and first time in 52 years that two bowlers have taken all 20 wickets. Last such instance was by Dennis Lillee & Bob Massie vs England in 1972. #PakvEng
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 18, 2024
Draught finally ends. 3 years, 8months and 11 days was the wait for a test match win at home for Pakistan. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali fabulous, Kamran Ghulam brilliant and Salman Ali Agha outstanding. Series level, can’t wait for Pindi
— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81) October 18, 2024
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