RAWALPINDI — In a sensational resurgence that will be etched into the annals of national cricket history, Pakistan captured a historic 2-1 Test series triumph over England on Saturday, routing the tourists by nine wickets before lunch on Day 3 of the series finale at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The comprehensive triumph ended a grueling 1,338-day wait for a home Test series victory, dating back to February 2021.
Spin Sensation: Noman and Sajid Dismantle English Batting
Resuming their second innings on a precarious 24 for 3 on Saturday morning, England crumbled under an unrelenting spin barrage on the baked, abrasive Rawalpindi surface. Veteran left-arm spinner Noman Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan bowled in unbroken tandem, accounting for all ten second-innings wickets to skittle England for a mere 112 runs in 37.2 overs.
Noman spearheaded the morning destruction with sublime figures of 6 for 42, his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket, while Sajid complemented him ruthlessly with 4 for 69. Across the final two Tests in Multan and Rawalpindi, the spin duo performed an unprecedented feat, claiming 39 of the 40 English wickets to fall — a masterclass of tactical spin bowling that completely neutralized England's aggressive 'Bazball' template.
Swift Run Chase and Shan Masood's Series Clincher
Left with a nominal fourth-innings target of 36 runs, Pakistan completed the formalities with ruthless efficiency inside 3.1 overs. Captain Shan Masood capped the emotional comeback by dispatching Jack Leach for a colossal six down the ground to trigger jubilation among the Rawalpindi crowd and in the home dressing room.
The series victory represents a massive personal triumph for Shan Masood, securing his maiden series win as Pakistan Test captain after enduring six consecutive defeats since taking over the reins. Pakistan had dropped the opening Test in Multan by an innings despite scoring 556 in the first essay, before staging one of the most emphatic turnarounds in modern Test cricket.
Series Honours and Historic Context
Middle-order stalwart Saud Shakeel was named Player of the Match for his heroic, gritty 134 in the first innings, which provided Pakistan with a vital 77-run lead. Off-spinner Sajid Khan was deservedly crowned Player of the Series after collecting 19 wickets across just two matches at an astonishing average of 21.10.
The landmark series result catapults Pakistan up the ICC World Test Championship standings, restoring widespread confidence in the national team's red-ball credentials ahead of future international fixtures. For match reports, scorecards, and expert cricket commentary, visit PakPulse247's Sports desk and News section.