Nauman, Sajid spin Pakistan to series-leveling win over England

English , Snippets , Sports - کھیل اور کھلاڑی , / Saturday, October 19th, 2024

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Multan, October 17 – Nauman Ali’s brilliant 8-wicket haul powered Pakistan to a commanding 152-run victory over England in the second Test, leveling the three-match series 1-1.

Chasing 297 on a turning track, England collapsed to 144 all out in the morning session of day four. Nauman delivered a match-winning performance with figures of 8-46, as he and fellow spinner Sajid Khan claimed all 20 wickets in the match—a feat achieved only seven times in Test cricket history and the first in 52 years.

Ben Stokes top-scored for England with 37, but the visitors struggled against Pakistan’s spinners. Shan Masood, celebrating his first Test win as captain, praised Nauman and Sajid: “Coming in for their first games, they bowled like seasoned campaigners. We didn’t even need a third bowler, which says a lot about their performance.”

Resuming the day on 36-2, England needed a heroic batting effort but lost wickets quickly. Vice-captain Ollie Pope fell early, giving Sajid a return catch. Nauman then trapped Joe Root lbw for 18, despite a failed review. Harry Brook followed in similar fashion, and England slumped to 88-6.

Stokes tried to counterattack but lost his wicket in a bizarre moment when his bat slipped mid-swing, allowing wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan to run him out comfortably.

Reflecting on the defeat, Stokes said, “In extreme conditions like these, we needed to find a way to handle the spin better. Some of us got starts, but we couldn’t capitalize.”

The decisive third Test begins Thursday in Rawalpindi.