Experience the drama of Spinning to Glory and Pakistan’s stunning win over England in the 2nd Test, Multan. Read about the standout performances and turning points that defined the match.
Introduction:
Pakistan was in dire need of this outcome, and the end was swift and definitive. On the fourth day of the second Test, Pakistan spun to a big win over England, their first Test on home soil since 2021. The dominant performance of spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan led to a historic collapse of the batting of England, leveling the series 1-1 ahead of the final test in Rawalpindi.
See also: England Crush Pakistan by innings and 47 runs in Record-Breaking Test Victory
On to Noman Ali’s career-best that served as a key to victory
Noman Ali had all the trappings of a star turn. He took an extraordinary 8 for 46 in England’s second innings, finishing with a match haul of 11 for 147—the former an actual career best and the latter carrying over from the first innings as well. Noman, playing his first Test since July 2023, was fast emerging as the lynchpin of Pakistan’s bowling, exploiting what was coming to be a very grainy pitch that favored spin. His aggression did not let up on the batsmen as well, with scores of ill-advised sweep and reverse-sweep shots laid waste by his relentless accuracy and guile.
Sajid Khan, who had snatched 7 for 111 in the first innings itself, completed a fine spin combination along with Noman as both of them took all 20 wickets of the match. This was an elusive feat that no side had achieved since 1972 when Dennis Lillee and Bob Massie repeated the feat against England.
Role of Pakistan’s rebuilt team
The win was all the more sweeter because of the changes this side has made after being bowled over in the first Test. For the second Test, captain Shan Masood led a side that had dropped key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah. This side took a calculated gamble by fielding a three-man spin attack that had never played together before.
The plan proved highly rewarding as Noman and Sajid totally dominated the show relegating the third spinner Zahid Mahmood to just six overs of the match. Shan Masood, the newly appointed captain won his first match after a six-match losing streak and restored belief in Pakistan home prospects.
England Collapses under Spin Barbarity – Swept Away
The Multan pitch, now nine days old since the brief interlude between the two matches, really started to turn significantly on day four. England, requiring 261 runs for victory, were going in for an all-out aggressive sweep-based strategy as is now very well known by Captain Ben Stokes before play began. Ollie Pope and Joe Root were England’s not-out batsmen at the beginning of the day as they went about their rehearsals of sweeping, but it was a plan that would spectacularly backfire.
Pope was the first of England’s victims, playing a listless return catch to Sajid Khan, in the very second over of the day, setting the tone for England’s downfall. Root and Harry Brook, who had pummeled a record 454 runs in the opening Test, seem to have lost their cool and discipline. Root, trying to sweep almost every ball came to be trapped lbw by Noman, as the umpire held his finger up on review.
Brook also couldn’t stick to the crease for too long as Noman got rid of him as the ball kept low and pinned him in front of the stumps. England soon went tumbling to 78 for 5, with their toppers in the pavilion and the game slipping through their fingers almost.
Stokes’ Rebellious Streak as England’s Last Gasp
Captain Ben Stokes was the only real contender batting as he posted an aggressive 37 off just 29 balls. However, there were too many unconventional shots and aggressive cuts across the line as the innings progressed, which led to his ultimate downfall. Noman goaded Stokes down the pitch, and the England skipper missed the ball as Mohammad Rizwan completed an easy stumping. Stokes’ dismissal was a metaphor for England’s unraveling grip on the match that had been firmly theirs a few days ago.
There was a brief flourish from Brydon Carse, who hit three towering sixes off Sajid Khan before Noman induced an edge to slip, bringing an end to his short-lived innings. Noman then wrapped up the innings in quick succession, dismissing Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir with consecutive deliveries, sealing a comprehensive victory for Pakistan.
A Historic Series Decider Awaits
The series is now level at 1-1, and both teams will head into the decider in Rawalpindi with a lot at stake. Pakistan’s emphatic win in Multan has given them the much-needed momentum and the confidence to challenge England, while England will have to reassess their tactics and approach, particularly how they go about handling the spin-friendly conditions on subcontinental pitches.
Spinning to Glory: Pakistan Win
This victory, conceived by a potent mix of spin bowling and tactical innovation, will surely go down as one of Pakistan’s finest moments in recent Test history. For Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, the match turned out to be a career-defining one, while their names are etched into the record books forever.
The final Test promises to be a cracker of a contest because both teams are definitely keen to seal the series for themselves. For Pakistan, winning a home series – a first in the history of cricket – is very much within its reach.