Pakistan win Test series on home soil after 3 years, down England 2-1

Published October 26, 2024
Pakistan players and staff lift the trophy and celebrate after winning the test series. — Reuters
Pakistan players and staff lift the trophy and celebrate after winning the test series. — Reuters
Pakistan’s Sajid Khan (R) and Noman Ali (2R) celebrate along with teammates as they walk off the field after the end of England’s second innings during the third day of the third and final Test cricket match between Pakistan and England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on October 26, 2024. — AFP
Pakistan’s Sajid Khan (R) and Noman Ali (2R) celebrate along with teammates as they walk off the field after the end of England’s second innings during the third day of the third and final Test cricket match between Pakistan and England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on October 26, 2024. — AFP
Pakistan’s Sajid Khan (R) celebrates with teammate Kamran Ghulam after taking the wicket of England’s Rehan Ahmed during the third day of the third and final Test cricket match between Pakistan and England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on October 26, 2024. —AFP
Pakistan’s Sajid Khan (R) celebrates with teammate Kamran Ghulam after taking the wicket of England’s Rehan Ahmed during the third day of the third and final Test cricket match between Pakistan and England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on October 26, 2024. —AFP

Spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan combined to destroy England and bowl Pakistan to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in the deciding third test and secure a memorable 2-1 series victory on Saturday.

Pakistan had been on the ascendancy since claiming a handy first-innings lead of 77 on a track where spinners from both sides dominated.

Noman (6-42) and Sajid (4-69) bundled out England for a paltry 112 in their second innings to leave Pakistan needing only 36 to win the series.

Pakistan lost the wicket of Saim Ayub before wrapping up victory on day three of the contest.

Home captain Shan Masood hit Jack Leach for four fours in a row before smacking a six in the first ball of the next over from Shoaib Bashir to seal their victory.

Noman and Sajid claimed 19 of the 20 England wickets while Pakistan did not use their lone seamer Aamer Jamal at all in the match in a stark indication of how spin-friendly the surface was.

The duo claimed 39 of the 40 English wickets in the last two tests since their mid-series selection. Resuming on 24-3, England lost wickets at regular intervals with Noman and Sajid running through their batting line.

Only Joe Root (33) looked comfortable against Pakistan’s rampaging spinners and once he fell to Noman, Pakistan’s victory was just a matter of time.

England captain Ben Stokes’ dismissal, offering no shot to an incoming Noman delivery that trapped him lbw, summed up their approach in the match.

The Green Team last won a Test series on home soil three years ago when Pakistan defeated South Africa 2-0.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...