In the third Test match in Rawalpindi, Pakistan achieved a dominant nine-wicket victory over England, clinching the series 2-1. The defeat marked a significant low for England, who were bowled out for just 112 in their second innings—their lowest total ever in Pakistan.
After ending day two at 24-3, hopes for a recovery rested on the shoulders of Harry Brook and Joe Root. However, the innings quickly unraveled when Brook fell to Noman Ali, triggering a rapid collapse where England lost seven wickets for only 46 runs. Key moments included Ben Stokes being bowled out without offering a shot to Noman and Jamie Smith’s reckless charge at Sajid Khan, both of which compounded England’s woes. Root’s dismissal for 33 further dashed any remaining hopes of setting a competitive target.
The spin duo of Noman and Sajid proved lethal, with Noman taking 6 wickets for 42 runs and Sajid claiming 4 for 69, contributing significantly to England’s downfall. Together, they shared all ten wickets in the second innings, demonstrating their dominance on the dry pitch.
Set a meager target of just 36 runs, Pakistan chased it down with relative ease, securing their first home series win in nearly four years. This turnaround highlighted a successful strategy shift to dry pitches that benefitted the spin bowlers. For England, the loss represented a stark contrast to their series win in Pakistan two years ago, marking their seventh defeat in 2024 and only the second series loss under the captaincy of Ben Stokes.
