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England fall into spin trap

Pakistan level Test series, end home drought


Saturday, 19 October 2024


MULTAN, Pakistan, Oct 18 (Agencies): Spinner Noman Ali took eight wickets as Pakistan crushed England by 152 runs in the second Test to level the series 1-1 on Friday in Multan.
Noman grabbed 8-46 and Sajid Khan took 2-93 as the pair wrapped up England's second innings for 144 after the visitors were set a daunting target of 297.
Sajid Khan and Noman Ali created history as they broke a 52-year-old record by claiming all 20 wickets in the second Test against England on Friday. Both men had come into the game as Pakistan went for wholesale changes to their side and made it a spin-heavy one with Aamer Jamal being the only pacer. It was Sajid who had wreaked havoc in the first innings for Pakistan as he picked up a total of 7 wickets while the rest went to Noman.
It was Pakistan's first home win since February 2021 and came after they were thumped by an innings in the first Test, also in Multan.
The third and final Test starts in Rawalpindi from October 24.
Noman finished with a match haul of 11-147 while Sajid had figures of 9-204, only the second time in Pakistan's history that two bowlers took all 20 wickets in a Test.
Pakistan's last Test win at home came against South Africa in Rawalpindi more than three years ago. It was followed by 11 home Tests without a win.
This also becomes Shan Masood's first win as skipper after getting the job last year, including 3-0 and 2-0 whitewashes at the hands of Australia and Bangladesh.
Pakistan's ploy of dropping ace batsman Babar Azam in one of four changes after the first Test defeat and playing on a reused pitch with three spinners paid off handsomely.
Resuming at 36-2 and facing a tough task on a pitch offering sharp spin, England managed to add just 108 runs before folding.