In a stunning conclusion to the three-match Test series between Pakistan and England, Pakistan emerged victorious in the third and final Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, winning by 9 wickets and securing the series 2-1. Pakistan’s star spinner, Sajid Khan, was instrumental in this win, delivering a masterclass in spin bowling to claim England’s last crucial wickets and seal the series.
Sajid Khan’s stunning delivery seals Jamie Smith’s wicket
One of the major highlights of Day 3 came when Sajid bowled an incredible delivery to dismiss England’s Jamie Smith, effectively sealing England’s fate. In the 25th over of England’s second innings, Smith attempted a wild slog, charging down the track to meet the ball, but Sajid anticipated his move and skillfully slowed the delivery. The ball spun sharply and crashed into Smith’s middle stump, leaving England reeling. Smith was bowled out after managing only 3 runs from 16 balls, a dismissal that demonstrated Sajid’s precise control and mastery of spin.
Here is the video:
Slower through the air and the stumps are disturbed! 🎯
Sajid continues his domination 👏#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/coa9E1vgWR
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 26, 2024
Sajid’s exceptional performance was not limited to a single wicket. Across both innings, he claimed 10 wickets in the match, tallying an impressive 19 wickets over the two Tests he played in this series, earning him the well-deserved title of Player of the Series.
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England’s collapse and Pakistan’s comfortable chase
Starting their second innings with a 77-run deficit, England faltered under pressure, managing only 112 runs before being bowled out. This left Pakistan with a small target of 36 runs to claim the victory.
Noman Ali, the left-arm spinner, played a vital role as well, securing 6 wickets in England’s second innings and 9 in total for the match. Together, Sajid and Noman formed an unstoppable bowling partnership, dismantling England’s lineup and stalling any attempt at recovery.
Pakistan’s batters chased down the score quickly, securing a comfortable 9-wicket win and a hard-fought series victory. The outstanding performances by Pakistan’s bowlers were complemented by solid batting. For his steady and effective performance with the bat, Saud Shakeel was awarded Player of the Match. This victory not only marks a triumphant close to the series but also underscores Pakistan’s strength in spin bowling, a factor that proved decisive in the high-stakes series finale.