Rawalpindi: In a stunning display of spin bowling, Pakistan’s Noman Ali and Sajid Khan led their team to a historic 2-1 Test series victory against England in Rawalpindi. This win marks Pakistan’s first home series triumph since February 2021 and their first against England since November 2015.
According to International Cricket Council, the spin pair continued their dominant form from the second Test in Multan into the third match, clinching a nine-wicket win. Sajid Khan, with a haul of 6/128, and Noman Ali, who took 3/88, dismantled the English batting lineup, which managed only 267 runs in their first innings despite a solid start.
Pakistan’s response was spearheaded by Saud Shakeel’s brilliant 134, helping to secure a 77-run lead. The spinners then continued their assault, wiping out England’s second innings for just 112 runs, marking one of the lowest totals by an English team against Pakistan in Tests. Notably, this series saw Pakistan’s spinners take all 20 wickets in two consecutive matches—a rare feat in Test cricket.
This victory not only elevates Pakistan one spot up in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 standings to number seven, just below England, but also signifies a momentous shift in their cricketing strategy. For the first time, Pakistani pacers did not bowl a single ball in a Test, highlighting the spinners’ effectiveness and the team’s tactical pivot.