Pakistan ended their winless streak on home soil with a 152-run victory over England in the second Test in Multan on Friday, leveling the three-match series at 1-1. Noman Ali led Pakistan’s spinners, taking eight wickets, while Sajid Khan claimed seven in the first innings, as England struggled on a turning track at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Chasing 297 for victory, England were all out for 144 in the morning session of the fourth day, with skipper Ben Stokes top-scoring with 37.
Noman Ali’s 8-46 was crucial, as he and Sajid Khan shared all 20 England wickets. The win marked Pakistan’s first Test victory at home since February 2021. Pakistan captain Shan Masood praised the bowlers, stating, “Noman and Sajid coming in for their first games – it’s never easy, and they seemed like two seasoned campaigners.”
Following the victory, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the team. Zardari commended the spinners’ performance, while Shehbaz lauded the team’s effort on X, saying, “Well done, Team Pakistan, for winning the first home Test after a long haul with a historic win against England.”
England resumed the fourth day on 36-2, needing an extraordinary batting effort. Vice-captain Ollie Pope fell early, giving Sajid Khan a return catch. Noman Ali then trapped Joe Root lbw for 18, a decision that was reviewed but not overturned. Harry Brook followed, falling lbw to Noman, and England slumped to 88-6.
Captain Ben Stokes, known for his match-defining knocks, came in scoring at a run-a-ball rate. However, he lost his wicket in dramatic fashion, with his bat flying out of his hands to midwicket, leaving Mohammad Rizwan to whip off the bails with Stokes well out of his crease. Stokes reflected on the loss, saying, “We would have liked to have gone on, especially myself and a couple of the guys who got starts.”
The third and final Test begins in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Playing XI:
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mehmood
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Matt Potts, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
