Shaheen Afridi Shan Masood Britain Bangladesh Pakistan cricket bowling Testing UPS Remark Shaheen Afridi Shan Masood Britain Bangladesh Pakistan

Cricket–Pakistan's spin skills leave England to reflect on muddled approach

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RAWALPINDI, Pakistan :Pakistan made some bold selection calls and milked their home advantage to fashion a remarkable 2-1 series victory against an England team, who will return home plagued by self-doubts.Few expected Shan Masood and his men to bounce back in such a fashion after Bangladesh blanked them 2-0 in their previous test series at home.When England inflicted an innings defeat on them in the series opener in Multan to grab a 1-0 lead in the series, it was quite on the expected lines.Pakistan selectors then did the unthinkable and dropped three of the biggest names in Pakistan cricket, going by current reputation.Batting mainstay Babar Azam and frontline pacers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi were axed and Pakistan recognised spin as their strong suit.They levelled the series on a used pitch in Multan and then rolled out a raging turner in Rawalpindi where Noman Ali and Sajid Khan dismantled England.The spin duo claimed 39 of the 40 English wickets in the last two tests, justifying their selection.They were so dominant in Rawalpindi that Pakistan did not bowl Aamer Jamal, their lone seamer, in the decider at all.Kamran Ghulam, replacing Babar in the side, vindicated the faith shown in him by smashing a match-winning hundred in his debut test in Multan.Pakistan's lower order also bailed them out, supplying precious runs.BLOOD-STAINED SHIRTThe sight of the defiant Sajid, waiting in a blood-stained shirt while a new one arrived after he had cut his chin on Friday, epitomised Pakistan's grit and resilience."This group, management, the board, what they have been through in the past few weeks - that means a lot," Shan said after sealing Pakistan's first series victory under his leadership with a six.For England, it will

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Former captain Babar Azam, pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah on Sunday returned to the Pakistan team for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia after being sidelined for two Tests against England. The Pakistani selectors announced the One-Day International and T20I squads for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe starting next month. Many new faces have been brought into the squads, while senior players like Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan missed out on selection.
After losing the first Test in Multan, Pakistan completed a sensational turnaround to win the three-match home Test series against England. Riding on the performances of spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, Pakistan won the final two Tests to clinch the series 2-1. This helped Pakistan register a feat for the first time in nearly 30 years. This is the first time Pakistan have won a three-match Test series after losing the first Test since they beat Zimbabwe in similar fashion in 1995.
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan :Spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan combined to destroy England and bowl Pakistan to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in the deciding third test and secure a memorable 2-1 series victory on Saturday.
Pakistan vs England Highlights, 3rd Test Day 3: Spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan starred with the ball as Pakistan hammered England by 9 wickets in the third and final Test in Multan to clinch the series 2-1. Chasing a target of 36, captain Shan Masood hit an unbeaten 23 to guide Pakistan to a first series win at home after three years. Earlier, Noman and Sajid grabbed all 10 wickets to bowl out England for 112, leaving Pakistan a target of 36 to win the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi on Saturday. Noman finished with 6-42 and Sajid 4-69 in an irrepressible spin bowling display after England resumed the day on a precarious 24-3. Joe Root scored top with 33. England won the first Test by an innings and 47 runs while Pakistan took the second by 152 runs, both in Multan. (Scorecard)
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan :Saud Shakeel crafted a gritty century to haul Pakistan back into the contest as the hosts equalled England's first innings 267 on day two of the deciding third and final test on Friday.
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan : Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed grabbed three wickets to cut through Pakistan's middle order on Friday as the hosts were reduced to 187-7 at lunch in reply to England's first innings 267 on day two of the deciding third and final test.

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