Pakistan ended their 11-match home winless streak with a resounding 152-run victory against England in the second Test in Multan, thanks to a remarkable bowling performance by Noman Ali. England, starting Day 4 at 36/2, collapsed to 144 all out, unable to withstand Pakistan’s spin attack on a turning track.
Pakistan’s First-Inning Dominance
Pakistan’s win was based on their strong performance in the first innings. In making his debut, Kamran Ghulam played a stunning knock of 118, while opener Saim Ayub contributed 77 to guide Pakistan to a respectable 366. Jack Leach led England’s bowling effort, picking up 4 wickets for 114 runs, but Pakistan’s middle order stepped up, adding crucial runs to set the tone for the match.
Pakistan First Innings (366),
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamran Ghulam | 118 | 195 | 15 | 2 |
| Saim Ayub | 77 | 124 | 10 | 0 |
| Agha Salman | 63 | 89 | 8 | 0 |
| Jack Leach | 4-114 | – | – | – |
England’s Struggles Against Spin
England, in response, found themselves in trouble early despite Ben Duckett’s century. Duckett fought hard for his 114, but the rest of the lineup faltered under the pressure of Pakistan’s spinners, with Sajid Khan taking a devastating 7 for 111. England was bowled out for 291, conceding a crucial 75-run lead.
England First Innings (291),
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Duckett | 114 | 202 | 16 | 1 |
| Joe Root | 34 | 75 | 4 | 0 |
| Sajid Khan | 7-111 | – | – | – |
Noman Ali’s Spin Masterclass
On a deteriorating pitch, effectively playing like a Day 8 wicket, Pakistan added 221 in their second innings, with Agha Salman leading the charge with a composed 63. England was left with a daunting target of 297 runs.
Noman Ali wasted no time in dismantling the English batting lineup. Sajid Khan struck early, removing Ollie Pope, and Noman took centre stage, dismissing Joe Root with a perfect lbw. England’s hopes rested on Ben Stokes and Harry Brook, but Noman continued his relentless spell, reducing England to 88/6 within the first hour.
Ben Stokes briefly counter-attacked but fell stumped after adding 37 runs. Noman continued to slice through the lower order, securing his first-ever 10-wicket haul in a match, finishing with career-best figures of 8 for 46.
England Second Innings (144),
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Stokes | 37 | 82 | 3 | 1 |
| Ollie Pope | 22 | 65 | 3 | 0 |
| Noman Ali | 8-46 | – | – | – |
Comprehensive Victory for Pakistan
The win, powered by Noman Ali’s spin brilliance, brought much-needed relief to Pakistan, ending their streak of home losses since March 2022. England’s collapse, largely due to their inability to play spin on a challenging pitch, highlighted the importance of adapting to subcontinental conditions.
Match Summary,
| Teams | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 366 | 221 | Won by 152 runs |
| England | 291 | 144 | Lost |
Noman Ali’s exceptional performance and key contributions from Pakistan’s batting lineup ensured a comprehensive victory that will be remembered as a turning point in their home series.
This match demonstrated Pakistan’s ability to capitalize on home conditions, particularly with spin bowling. Noman Ali’s eight-wicket haul will go down in history as one of the finest performances in Pakistan cricket, securing a morale-boosting win against England. With the momentum shifting, Pakistan will look to carry this form into future matches,
