Pakistan’s cricket team demonstrated remarkable resilience by defeating England by 152 runs during the second Test match held at Multan, successfully leveling the three-match series at 1-1.
The win, which took place on Friday, marked Pakistan's first home victory since February 2021. The team had endured six consecutive losses during home matches prior to this triumph. Captained by Shan Masood, Pakistan's players rallied together, putting behind the disappointment of their innings defeat just days earlier.
During the climactic fourth day, Pakistan set England the challenging target of 297 runs. England faltered against Pakistan’s spin attack, collapsing to 144 all out within the morning session. Noman Ali led the charge for Pakistan, claiming remarkable figures of 8 for 46, with match figures of 11 for 147. Sajid Khan, his fellow spinner, supported Noman’s efforts by taking 9 for 204, which meant the duo accounted for all 20 English wickets throughout the match—a rare achievement.
This match stands out not only for Pakistan’s performance but also for the historical significance of two bowlers from the same team claiming all wickets. Prior to this, only six duos have managed this feat, the last being Australian legends Dennis Lillee and Bob Massie at Lord's back in 1972. Previously, spinner pairings accomplished this task, such as England's Jim Laker and Tony Lock back in 1956.
Reflecting on the match, Shan Masood shared, “The first win is always special and it’s come after some hard and rough times.” He praised Noman and Sajid for stepping in and performing like seasoned campaigners during the challenging circumstances. Masood acknowledged the nervousness surrounding his captaincy but expressed pride over the team's commitment and hunger for victory.
England's captain Ben Stokes noted the difficulty of playing on the turning pitch. He lamented the team’s inability to build partnerships after getting off to reasonable starts, emphasizing the necessity to adapt to extreme conditions. Stokes stated, “When you get extreme conditions like this, you have to find ways to negate the spin.”
En route to their victory, Pakistan made several strategic changes following their first Test defeat. Notably, star batter Babar Azam was omitted from the squad; his replacement, debutant Kamran Ghulam, not only filled his shoes but scored a century, aiding Pakistan’s first innings total of 366.
This tactical shift to prioritize spin bowlers proved pivotal, as the spinner-friendly pitch offered substantial turn. Coach Jason Gillespie’s strategy to play on the reused surface just days after the first game paid off, solidifying the team’s newfound strategy and reflecting adaptively to local conditions.
The loss was particularly frustrating for England, who were eager to establish dominance following their initial victory. The embarrassing moments during the game included Stokes infamously losing his bat after attempting a big swing, allowing for Mohammad Rizwan to execute a stumping. Stokes couldn’t help but chuckle at the awkwardness of the situation amid their subpar performance.
Despite their disappointing outcome, Stokes remained optimistic, reflecting on the fight his side demonstrated. “We were always going to be going uphill,” he concluded.
Preparation now shifts toward the third and final Test set for Rawalpindi starting on October 24. What remains is to see if Pakistan will revert to their previous combinations, or maintain their current squad. Regardless, Pakistan cricket appears to have reignited its spark, showcasing its potential on the global stage once more.
