Pakistan leveled the three-match Test series with a comprehensive 152-run win over England in the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The win came courtesy of a dominant performance from Pakistan’s spinners, who made full use of a recycled pitch, bowling out England for 144 before lunch on Day 4. The result sets up an exciting series decider in Rawalpindi next week, with the series drawn 1-1. Chasing a challenging target of 297, England batsmen were undone by left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who claimed seven of the eight wickets that fell on the fourth morning and finished with figures of 8-46 in the second innings and 11-147 overall in the second innings. the match.

Noman, along with off-spinner Sajid Khan, who took nine wickets over the two innings, exposed England’s vulnerability to running on a turning surface. Together they achieved the rare feat of sharing all 20 wickets between them, something that has only happened seven times in Test history.

The key to Pakistan’s victory was attributed to their selection and field conditions. After a humiliating defeat in the first Test, where England recorded a record-breaking 823-7, Pakistan responded with radical changes.

They dropped former captain Babar Azam, along with fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, and opted for a spin-heavy attack on a recycled Multan pitch. This move paid off as Noman and Sajid pounded England into submission, making the most of a tight turn and an unpredictable recovery.

Well done, team!

Fantastic win. Proud of the commitment and spirit. pic.twitter.com/TYruIjEF9u

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) October 18, 2024

Play for the name on the front of the shirt and they will remember the name on the back. Well played guys #PAKvENG

— Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) October 18, 2024

What a victory!

Special thanks to Sajid Khan and Noman Ali for taking all 20 wickets and completing a huge win over England by 152 runs. Truly a team effort and a proud day for Pakistan! pic.twitter.com/OHTROQsyLU

— Hassan Ali (@RealHa55an) October 18, 2024

Congratulations team Pakistan
Good home win after 3 years 8 months and 11 days. #PAKvENG brilliant bowling Noman Ali and Sajid pic.twitter.com/x39GzwDaQw

— Rashid Latif (@iRashidLatif68) October 18, 2024

The turning point came early on day four when England resumed at 36-2 and still needed 261 runs to chase down what would have been their highest ever total in Asia. The English approach to countering the spin looked like an attack, but this played into Pakistan’s hands. Ollie Pope fell on the eighth ball of the day to offer Sajid a return catch, and the collapse was rapid from there.

Joe Root, one of England’s most experienced batsmen, was trapped trying to sweep Noman, while Harry Brook missed a hack over the line and was also dismissed lbw. The usually reliable Jamie Smith made a simple catch on halfway and suddenly England found themselves 87-6, the chase in tatters.

Captain Ben Stokes briefly offered some resistance, sweeping and sweeping back at every opportunity. Along with Brydon Carse, he added 37 off 31 balls, with Carse managing to overturn an lbw decision before hitting Sajid for back-to-back sixes. However, Stokes’ aggressive intentions led to his downfall, as he attacked Noman, losing his bat and allowing wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan to stump him.

The tail folded quickly, with Carse about to slip and Jack Leach’s inside edge finding short leg. Shoaib Bashir was caught at foolish point off the very next ball which sealed Pakistan’s victory, ending England’s four-match winning streak in Pakistan.

Ultimately, the Pakistani spinners were the stars of the show in Multan, and their ruthless accuracy and sharp turns proved too much for England. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan’s uninterrupted spell of 33.3 overs was the longest any two bowlers have bowled in a completed Test innings since 1956.