LEEDS, Aug 9: Pace bowler Sajid Mahmood laughed off some barracking from Pakistan supporters at Headingley on his way to a Test best haul in England's series-clinching victory on Tuesday.

Mahmood, whose parents were born in Pakistan, took four for 22 as England won the third Test by 167 runs to go 2-0 up in the four-match series with a game to play.

The cousin of Olympic boxing silver medallist Amir Khan, told a news conference: “It started off pretty light-hearted and then it did get a little bit personal.

“I heard them call me a traitor during my second spell, but I didn't let it affect me.”

He even responded with a joke of his own, putting his hand to his ear after taking a wicket.

“They gave me a lot of chat down there on the boundary and then I got that wicket and did that to see what they had to say then.

“Every time I went down to that corner there were a couple clapping, there were a few hurling abuse so I didn't know what to do. They didn't really shut up even after I got a couple of wickets, they just kept going.”

Mahmood's father Shahid, who emigrated to Britain in the 1970s, was at Headingley on Tuesday to see Pakistan, chasing 323 to win, get bowled out for 155.

“I think my dad had some split loyalties, but I told him he had to support England during this series,” the 24-year-old Mahmood added.—Reuters