England secure historic series win after Mark Wood breaks Pakistan resistance

England have created history in Pakistan, securing a series victory over their hosts with a match to spare following a game-breaking display of fast bowling from Mark Wood on a nail-biting fourth day in bustling Multan.Defending a target of 355 runs, Ben Stokes and his tourists claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead before the third Test in Karachi – just a third series win in Pakistan and a first for 22 years – as Wood’s four for 65 finally broke a spirited chase from the home side for a memorable 26-run victory on the day.

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It was Ollie Robinson who sealed the win 15 minutes after lunch, with the No 11 Mohammad Ali edging behind for a duck to see Pakistan 328 all out. There was a check upstairs, naturally, but little doubt among the tourists as they began celebrating a wonderfully executed campaign.There was also little doubt over the hero on the day, Wood having snared three wickets either side of the break – including the key dismissal of Saud Shakeel for 94 – and delivered a performance that echoed Shoaib Akhtar’s famous burst on this ground during England’s last visit to Pakistan 17 years ago.The jubilant scenes were a far cry from the tension of a morning session that saw Saud whittle away at the target. Indeed, until the left-hander’s controversial dismissal on the cusp of lunch – one of two vital breakthroughs before the interval from Wood – the hosts had moved themselves to a position of favourites.Joe Root had struck early for England, his 50th Test wicket coming in the sixth over of the day’s play when he found the edge of Faheem Ashraf’s bat and Zak Crawley held on superbly at