Pakistan’s Sajid Khan (left) and Noman Ali (proper) celebrating in the course of the match towards England in Multan, on October 18, 2024. — PCB
KARACHI: In a outstanding turnaround, Pakistan has triumphed over England within the second Take a look at in Multan, lastly breaking their 11-Take a look at winless streak at residence and securing their first Take a look at victory in 15 months.
This victory not solely marks a major milestone for the group but additionally ends a protracted residence drought of 44 months with no Take a look at win, bringing a wave of aid and celebration to cricket followers throughout the nation.
The match was dominated by Pakistan’s spin duo, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, who delivered a masterclass in spin bowling.
Noman shone shiny, claiming 11 wickets within the match, together with a powerful 8 for 46 within the second innings. This efficiency has made him the primary Pakistani spinner to take 8 wickets within the fourth innings of a Take a look at match.
The earlier finest fourth-innings figures for a Pakistani spinner have been held by Mushtaq Ahmed, who took 7 for 56 towards New Zealand in Christchurch in 1995.
The all-time finest for a Pakistani in a fourth innings stays Sarfraz Nawaz’s 9 for 86 towards Australia in Melbourne in 1979.
Sajid additionally performed a vital function, taking 9 wickets within the match. This duo’s mixed effort is a historic achievement, because it marks solely the seventh occasion in Take a look at historical past, the place two bowlers have taken all 20 wickets of the opposition.
The final time this feat was achieved by Pakistani bowlers was in 1956, when the legendary pair of Fazal Mahmood and Khan Mohammad took all wickets towards Australia.
This document underscores the importance of their efficiency, because it highlights a uncommon and noteworthy achievement within the document books of cricket historical past.
Moreover, the Multan Take a look at was notable for the truth that all 20 wickets for Pakistan have been claimed by spinners. This marks solely the third time that Pakistani spinners have collectively taken all 20 wickets in a match, with the final occasion occurring towards England in Lahore in 1987, when Iqbal Qasim, Tauseef Ahmed, and Abdul Qadir mixed forces to realize the identical feat.
In one other uncommon show of endurance and willpower, Noman and Sajid turned the primary Pakistani bowling duo in 30 years to bowl unchanged by a whole innings, this feat was final achieved by the pair of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis towards Sri Lanka in Kandy in 1994.
The victory is particularly important because it marks a breaking of the “curse” that had seen Pakistan wrestle for over a yr in Take a look at cricket. Followers can lastly have fun after an extended wait, with the group having final secured a win in August 2022.
This win showcases a revitalised spin assault that demonstrates Pakistan’s deep cricketing heritage, significantly in spin bowling. Noman and Sajid’s performances not solely secured the win but additionally set the tone for future matches at residence.
