Pakistan 344 (Shakeel 134, Sajid 48, Noman 45; Rehan 4-66, Bashir 3-129) and 37 for 1 (Masood 23) defeated England 267 (Smith 89, Duckett 52; Sajid 6-128, Noman 3-88) and 112 (Root 33; Noman 6-42, Sajid 4-69) by nine wickets.**
The long wait is finally over. For the first time since 2021, Pakistan has won a Test series at home, coming back from a 1-0 deficit to clinch a 2-1 victory over England.
A comprehensive nine-wicket win on day three of the third and final Test in Rawalpindi was achieved before lunch, so effortlessly that England’s innings victory in the opening match feels like it belongs to a different series. This marks only the second time Pakistan has come from behind in a series, and the first time they have done so at home.
As seen in both the first innings and the victorious second Test in Multan, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan dominated, claiming all 10 wickets as England collapsed to just 112 in a dismal second innings. Noman earned the match ball with figures of 6 for 42, marking his sixth five-wicket haul, while Sajid contributed with 4 for 69, achieving his second 10-wicket match performance in just 10 Tests after his 6 for 128 on the first day.
This left Pakistan with a manageable target of just 36 runs. Shan Masood, the beleaguered home captain, made a quick 23 runs off just six balls, smashing four consecutive fours against Jack Leach upon his arrival after Saim Ayub was dismissed leg before. He sealed the victory with a towering six off Shoaib Bashir.
Before Masood departed alongside Abdullah Shafique, Noman and Sajid walked off hand in hand, reveling in the glory of triggering England’s collapse on day three, where the final seven wickets fell for just 46 runs. Their introduction turned the series around, resulting in a combined 39 wickets since joining the squad after England took a 1-0 lead. Noman’s left-arm spin accounted for 20 wickets at an average of 13.85, while Sajid’s off-breaks took 19 at 21.01.
Despite the eventual outcome, England started the day serenely, beginning Saturday 53 runs behind at 24 for 3. With Root and Brook at the crease, they had two capable batters ready to chip away at the deficit. Brook struck Sajid for back-to-back fours in the 13th over, and some Pakistan fans may have worried the Yorkshire pair were on the verge of another match-changing partnership, reminiscent of their 454-run stand in the first Test at Multan.
However, that was before Sajid and Noman entered the series. After Sajid adjusted his line to contain Brook, Noman followed up a slow delivery with a faster one, resulting in a catch to Mohammad Rizwan. England’s lead was reduced to 11, but the first wicket fell.
Stokes continued to struggle against spin, leading to his dismissal to a straight delivery from Noman. Jamie Smith’s charge at Sajid was similarly poor, as he was bowled while swinging wildly, which was surprising given his solid 89 in the first innings.
Just four balls after Smith’s dismissal, England had briefly taken the lead, but any hopes of extending it were dashed when Root fell to a brilliant delivery from Noman, leaving England with a narrow lead of just eight runs.
Sajid then cleaned up the tail, taking Gus Atkinson’s wicket before knocking back Rehan Ahmed’s leg stump for his second 10-wicket haul. He nearly secured a second five-wicket haul in the match when Shoaib Bashir was given out LBW on the sweep, but DRS overturned the decision, giving Bashir a reprieve.
A lead of 35 runs was always likely to be insufficient on a pitch that was manageable. However, Masood’s arrival ensured the formalities were completed in just 3.1 overs. Ayub started the chase with two fours but was then pinned in front by Leach, a decision confirmed by DRS after an incorrect call from the umpire.
Even this dismissal added to the celebration, as Masood led the team over the finish line for his first series win as captain. After starting his tenure with six consecutive defeats before the second Test of this series, it was a well-deserved honor.
