PAK vs ENG: Pakistan ends 3.5-year wait with 2-1 home series victory over England

The Pakistan cricket team delivered a stellar performance in the third and final Test against England at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, decisively bowling out the visitors for a mere 112 runs in their second innings. With a modest target of 36 runs set, Pakistan's batting lineup was on track to complete the chase, marking a significant milestone for the team.

The match commenced with Pakistan's innings led by openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique. However, Ayub fell early, dismissed LBW by Jack Leach after scoring just 8 runs, leaving the hosts at a total of 14 runs. Captain Shan Masood quickly entered the fray, making his mark with an explosive start, smashing three consecutive fours off his first three deliveries. He concluded the chase in style, hitting a six to finish with a rapid 23 runs off just 6 balls, which included 4 fours and 1 six.

This victory is particularly significant for Pakistan, as it marks their first Test series win at home in nearly 3.5 years. The last time they secured a home Test series was against South Africa in January 2021. Since then, the team has faced defeats at home against Australia, England, and Bangladesh in 2022 and 2024.

England began their second innings on the third day of the Test, starting at 24 runs with 3 wickets down, with Joe Root and Harry Brook at the crease. However, Pakistani bowlers quickly made inroads, with Nauman Ali dismissing Brook for 26 runs and sending captain Ben Stokes back for just 3 runs. The wickets continued to tumble, with the sixth wicket falling at 75 runs when Jamie Smith was dismissed for just 3 runs off a delivery from Sajid Khan.

Noman Ali then claimed Joe Root's wicket for 33 runs, further compounding England's struggles. Sajid Khan added to the woes by dismissing Gus Atkinson at a total of 97 runs and Rehan Ahmed for 7 runs at 106. The final wicket fell when Nauman Ali claimed Jack Leach, who managed to score 10 runs.

In the first innings, England posted 267 runs, which Pakistan successfully countered with a total of 344 runs, gaining a lead of 77 runs. The Test series is now tied at one match each, following England's earlier victory over Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test. With Pakistan's recent success, cricket fans are eager to see how the final Test of the three-match series unfolds.

Pakistan Playing XI:  Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (VC), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mehmood.

England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.