Cricket–Smith rescues England from Pakistan's spin stranglehold

24.10.2024 - 10:23 channelnewsasia.com

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan :Jamie Smith smashed a counter-attacking 91 to rescue England from a top-order meltdown and steer them to 244-8 at tea on the opening day of the deciding third test against Pakistan on Thursday.England were reeling at 118-6 after losing captain Ben Stokes soon after lunch but Smith combined in a 107-run partnership with Gus Atkinson (39) to lift the touring side back into the match.Rehan Ahmed (two) and Jack Leach (one), both of whom will be expected to make the most of the turning track later with the ball, will hope to take England past the 250-mark.Earlier, Pakistan spin duo Sajid Khan (4-119) and Noman Ali (3-76) combined to blow away the top half of England's batting lineup in one session following Stokes' decision to bat first.England made a decent start with Ben Duckett (52) and Zak Crawley combining in a 56-run opening stand before a collapse ensued.Pakistan attacked with spin from both ends with Sajid and Noman, who shared all 20 England wickets in the previous test in Multan, bowling in tandem.Pakistan did not use a third bowler in the morning session and the spinners bowled 42 overs before Pakistan captain Shan Masood made a change.Left-arm spinner Noman drew first blood when he tempted Crawley (29) into a false drive with a flighted delivery.England vice captain Ollie Pope (three) fell to Sajid for the third time in three innings after fluffing a sweep shot.The off-spinner delivered a body blow when he trapped Joe Root, currently the top-ranked test batter, lbw for five with a sharply turning ball.Duckett hit a six off Sajid en route to his fifty and got a reprieve when Noman spilled a return catch but the spinner dismissed the left-hander lbw in the same over with a delivery that kept

bowling Celebrity Testing track FIVE Ball Joe Root Zak Crawley Jamie Smith Shan Masood Gus Atkinson Pakistan county Smith

Brendon McCullum, England's head coach, accepted his team's “missed opportunity” after Pakistan sealed a 2-1 series victory with decisive spin-friendly tactics in Multan and Rawalpindi. McCullum remained magnanimous but acknowledged that his side, despite a historic 800-plus first-innings total in the opener, faltered as Pakistan overhauled their lineup and capitalized on turn-heavy pitches. Following a ruthless innings win on Multan's flat deck, Pakistan, with a refreshed selection panel, introduced spinning surfaces that saw Sajid Khan and Noman Ali share 39 out of 40 English wickets.

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

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.

Pakistan vs England 3rd Test Day 3 Highlights: Spinners Shine As Pakistan Beat England By 9 Wickets, Seal Series

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)

Pakistan Star Sajid Khan Left Bloodied After Ball Hits Face, Goes On To Hit Four Sixes. Image Viral

Sajid Khan was grit personified for Pakistan against England in the third Test in Rawalpindi on Friday. Coming to bat at No. 10, Sajid Khan scored a crucial 48 off 48 balls with the help of four sixes and two fours. He was even hit on the face when he top-edged one that hit his chin off the bowling of Rehan Ahmed. Undeterred Sajid continued to bat with blood stains on his shirt and played one of the bravest innings that Pakistan cricket team has seen in recent times. His effort was appreciated by all.

Cricket–Pakistan equal England's 267 after Saud hundred

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.

Cricket–Rehan takes three as England reduce Pakistan to 187-7

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.