Former captain Shahid Afridi has congratulated the Shan Masood led side for their consecutive win over England in the three Test Match series. Shahid Afridi praised the hosts after they bounced back for the second after being thrashed by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test match to win the series 2-1.
Pakistan showed a never to say die attitude as winning the 3rd Test match inside 3 days says a lot about the team dynamics. Not many gave Pakistan a chance after their embarrassing defeat in 1st Test match. Pakistan proved everyone wrong that they are not a finished product as it was a collective effort to defeat the mighty England team.
Outstanding Performances from Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Saud Shakeel Propel Pakistan to Series Victory
Fixtures one, two and three were won by 152 runs margin, nine wickets margin each by Men Green. It was Pakistan’s first Test series triumph at home since beating South Africa in the 2020-21 season.
Afridi was lavish in his praise for spinner Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, the chief villains of first and third Tests victories. He also praised Saud Shakeel for taking his fighting ton which changed the side of the game.
Noman scored 45 and Sajid 48 to give the hosts a 77-run first innings lead after partnering with Shakeel well.
“This was a true team effort that has lifted the spirit of the entire nation. Pakistan cricket is back in full force and this triumph is just the beginning of many more victories to come!”
“Pakistan, you absolute beauty! Only Pakistan could shake off the disappointment of the first Test with such a bold and inspiring turnaround. Noman and Sajid let their skills speak volumes, spinning webs around England’s lineup, while the batters, especially Saud Shakeel in the third Test, delivered with grit and flair,” he added.
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan Shine with Wickets, While Saud Shakeel Leads in Runs as Shan Masood Secures First Series Win
Both Noman Ali and Sajid khan took 20 and 19 wickets respectively in two tests. On the other hand, the impressive Saud Shakeel emerged as the Pakistan’s highest run-getter in the five-match Test series with a tally of 280.
Pakistani born skipper Shan Masood claimed his maiden Test series victory after previous series defeat against Australia and Bangladesh each at away and home condition respectively.
Saud Shakeel’s Century Leads Pakistan to Victory While Sajid Khan Dominates with Six Wickets
With the bat first, England made 267. Jamie Smith shone with the bat scoring 89 off 119 as Ben Duckett set his team off with a half-century. Sajid Khan also stood out as the bowler with the enhanced wickets taking an impressive number of six wickets. Noman Ali also got three wickets.
In response the host managed 344 for the loss of nine wickets, courtesy a brilliant hundred from Saud Shakeel. Rehan Ahmed was the pick among the bowlers from England as he bowled four wickets. Shoaib Bashir and Gus Atkinson got three and two wickets respectively.
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan Propel Pakistan to Narrow Victory with Key Wickets in Second Innings Collapse
In the second innings they rode to a collapse at 112 thus fixing up a slight chiasma of a victory at 36. Off spinner Noman Ali and Sajid Khan bowled out five and four wickets respectively. The duo bowled wicket to wicket and varied their line & lengths brilliantly to fox the batters.
Shan Masood and company then chased the target in just 3.1 overs, while the skipper struck high of Bashir’s head to provide the required impetus to the chase. Spinner Jack Leach bowled 19 overs and took only a single wicket for the English side. It won’t be wrong to say that this Test series defeat would hurt England a lot and now they are almost out of ICC WTC 2023-25 final race.
