Pakistan secured a historic victory against England, winning by 152 runs on Day Four of the second Test match in Multan. This win not only leveled the three-match series 1-1 but also marked Pakistan’s first home Test victory in nearly four years, ending an 11-match winless streak. The standout performance came from Pakistan’s spinners, who claimed all 20 England wickets in the match, a first in Pakistan’s Test cricket history.
Off-spinner Noman Ali delivered a career-best performance, taking 8-46 in England’s second innings and finishing the match with figures of 11-47. His brilliance, alongside Sajid Khan’s 9-204 across both innings, dismantled England’s batting lineup, which collapsed for 144 while chasing 297. Noman’s final wicket before lunch secured the win for Pakistan and brought an end to England’s fightback, which had begun the day at 36-2.
Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood praised his team’s resilience, particularly after the tough loss in the first Test. He acknowledged the key role of the spinners and credited the collective effort for the significant turnaround. Despite the controversial omission of star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, the decision to focus on spin paid off.
England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum accepted the challenges posed by the spinning pitch and Pakistan’s tactical home advantage. Stokes, the highest scorer in England’s second innings with 37 runs, admitted the conditions were tough and praised Pakistan’s ability to capitalize on the favorable surface.
The decisive third Test will take place in Rawalpindi on October 24, where the series winner will be determined.
Source: Aljazeera
