In the heart of Multan, beneath a firey October sky, the first Test match seemed to foreshadow a familiar tale for Pakistan. England, coming off a formidable lead, looked as if they’d script yet another narrative of dominance. Their 823 runs in the first innings—powered by monumental knocks from Harry Brook and Joe Root—loomed like an insurmountable fortress. Pakistan’s innings fell 47 runs short, even as Aamir Jamal and Salman Ali Agha stitched together a late stand, and the stadium of the historic city echoed with the quiet disappointment of the fans who had come to witness a resurgence.
Off the field, the winds of change had already begun to stir. Right on the final day of that first Test, the Pakistan Cricket Board made a bold move, dissolving the national selection committee—a shakeup that did not come as a surprise. In no time, the newly formed committee included Aqib Javed, the seasoned former cricketer known for his sharp insight into Pakistan’s bowling legacy, and Aleem Dar, an iconic umpire whose inclusion as a selector was as unexpected as it was intriguing. Critics questioned the rationale, but it became evident that this new selection committee was intent on rewriting tradition.
The selection committee’s decisions were daring. Dropping big names like star batsman Babar Azam, along with frontline bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, they instead relied on an ensemble of top-performing spin bowlers. With limited star power on the field, early critics claimed that this team had no “saleable property,” predicting it would struggle against England’s formidable lineup. Yet the selectors, with a vision for home-ground advantage, had a card up their sleeves: for the second Test, they chose to play on the same worn pitch that had hosted the first match, a decision crafted to favor Pakistan’s spinners and challenge England’s BAZBALL side.
The Multan Turnaround: Spin Overcomes the Odds
With a renewed strategy and fresh resolve, Pakistan began the second Test. Kamran Ghulam, debuting as the 257th player for Pakistan, demonstrated a calm maturity, scoring a century that anchored Pakistan’s innings. Together with Saim Ayub, Kamran helped post a strong 366-run total, setting the stage for a competitive match. The pitch, having seen four days of play already, began to offer tantalizing support to spin, and Sajid Khan and Noman Ali eagerly took center stage.
England’s initial response looked solid with Ben Duckett posting a gritty 114. However, Pakistan’s spinners spun their web as Sajid Khan’s well-crafted deliveries and Noman Ali’s tactical support reduced England to 291 all out. Sajid’s figures of 7-111 exemplified his skill, and their collective impact allowed Pakistan to establish a commanding 75-run lead.
In Pakistan’s second innings, Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel contributed valuable runs, building a lead of 297 and adding pressure on England. As the match drew to its closing day, Sajid and Noman had England’s batsmen pinned down. With deft turn and unrelenting accuracy, Noman claimed 8-46 in the final innings, cementing a series-tying 152-run victory. Multan Stadium erupted, the crowd jubilant as Pakistan’s resilience set up a winner-takes-all final Test in Rawalpindi.
The Rawalpindi Decider: A Historic Triumph Sealed
With the series tied, the third and final Test in Rawalpindi was more than just a match; it was an opportunity for Pakistan to secure a long-awaited home series victory. The stakes were high, and England sought to push back. However, the Pakistan team—now emboldened by their Multan turnaround—displayed newfound confidence.
England opted to bat first, but once again, the spinning duo of Sajid and Noman proved relentless. Despite Jamie Smith’s impressive 89, Pakistan bowled England out for 267. When Pakistan batted, Saud Shakeel led with a brilliant 134, supported by cameos from Sajid and Noman that bolstered the team’s total to 344, giving Pakistan a 77-run lead. As England returned to bat, the spinners’ deadly grip continued. The visitors were all out for a mere 112 in their second innings, as Sajid and Noman claimed a total of 19 wickets between them in this Test, securing a nine-wicket victory for Pakistan.
In the final moments of the series, Shan Masood sealed the win with a six that symbolized Pakistan’s resilience and triumph. Rawalpindi roared as Pakistan clinched their first Test series win at home since 2021 and their first home series win against England since 2015.
The Legacy of Victory: Triumph Born of Grit and Bold Choices
The legacy of this series is not only about the victories on the field but also about the vision that guided them. Aqib Javed, Aleem Dar, and the selection committee had taken calculated risks, crafting a strategy that leveraged Pakistan’s spin strength and home advantage. Their willingness to trust the “lesser-known” players over “star power” paid off, proving that sometimes it’s the unanticipated heroes who leave the greatest mark.
For Pakistan, this wasn’t just a Test series; it was a return to home-ground glory, a triumph that resonated with the resilience of its people and their unwavering love for cricket. Like a scene out of an epic poem, it was a narrative of determination and triumph, reminiscent of Pakistan’s golden cricketing past, from Hanif Mohammad’s grit to Imran Khan’s resolve. As the players celebrated, one could almost hear the poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz in the roar of the crowd: “Yeh dagh dagh ujala, yeh shab-gazeeda sahar…” This dawn, marred and dim, was finally giving way to the light of victory.
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