RAWALPINDI: Pakistan won the third Test by nine wickets against England after chasing down a target of 36 runs which also helped them seal a three-match series 2-1 here on Saturday.
The Shan Masood-led side were able to clinch victory after making 37/1 in 3.1 overs. It was their first Test series win at home after almost four years, thanks to the spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan.
Set to chase 36, Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub came to bat before lunch on day 3 with the aim of wrapping up the chase as quickly as possible.
However, Saim quickly lost his wicket to Jack Leach after scoring just eight. Abdullah (5*) remained mostly on the non-striker's end as skipper Shan Masood had another plan. The left-handed batter smoked a quick 6-ball 23 runs to ensure his team relief at lunch today.
Earlier on day 3, England resumed their second innings, with Joe Root and Harry Brook on the strike.
Brook made 33 runs off 52 balls including just a shot towards the boundary.
However, he was the first to leave on Saturday morning when Noman delivered the fourth ball of the 19th over which was edged straight into the gloves of Mohammad Rizwan.
Adding another wicket to his bag quickly, Noman dismissed Root who also gave a simple catch behind the stumps. He left after scoring 26 runs off 40 deliveries, including two boundaries.
England skipper Ben Stokes (3) alongside Jamie Smith (3), Gus Atkinson (10), Rehan Ahmed (7), Jack Leach (10), and Shoaib Bashir (4) didn’t contribute worthy for the team.
Noman bagged six wickets whereas Sajid Khan took four wickets as England were bowled out for 112 runs.
Stokes-led side had a shaky start in the second innings as they lost three wickets before bad light ended day 2 of the third Test.
The day ended with Joe Root (5) and Harry Brook (3) on strike.
Opening the innings, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were sent back to the pavilion shortly.
Crawley scored two runs off 20 balls while Duckett was dismissed first via lbw when Sajid Khan delivered the second ball of the fourth over.
Ollie Pope was dismissed after Agha Salman took a brilliant catch in first slip off Noman Ali’s bowling.
Pakistan made 344 runs with a 77-run lead after a spectacular performance by Saud Shakeel and Sajid.
They were able to take lead within 96.4 overs.
Saud made 134 runs off 223 balls including five boundaries.
In addition, aiming for a half-century, Noman Ali was dismissed after scoring 45 runs, including two boundaries and one six.
Sajid stayed till the end and made 48 off 48 balls, including two fours and four towering sixes.
The innings for the men in green ended with Zahid Mahmood leaving after scoring no runs for the team.
This happened when Rehan Ahmed took his fourth wicket, bowling out the last player on the fourth ball of the 96th over.
Meanwhile, the Shan Masood-led side scored 187/7 in 62 overs at lunch, with Saud Shakeel (72) and Noman Ali (6) on strike.
It is worth noting here that the day kicked off with the men in green at 73-3 in 23 overs, with the skipper Masood (16) and Saud Shakeel (16) on strike.
Pakistan’s skipper was the first one who headed towards the pavilion on the second day after scoring 26 off 70 balls, as Ollie Pope caught the fourth wicket of the innings when Shoaib Bashir delivered second ball of the 35th over.
Followed by the wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan who was dismissed via lbw when Rehan Ahmed delivered third ball of the 49th over after making 25 runs, including one boundary and one towering six.
Additionally, the spectators witnessed Salman Agha leaving after scoring one run for the team as he was lbw by the new addition of the English team Rehan Ahmed.
Followed by Aamer Jamal, who left after contributing 14 runs to the team when Rehan again delivered a googly final ball of the 57th over.
On the bowling front, Jack Leach bagged one wicket, Gus Atkinson took two wickets, Shoaib Bashir dismissed three, while Rehan Ahmed taking the most, solely bagged four wickets.
Earlier, Pakistan lost three wickets as England took an edge on day 1 (Thursday) of the third Test.
Ben Stokes and Co. made 267 runs in 68.2 overs in their first innings on the first day.
TOSS
Previously on Thursday, England's skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bat first against Pakistan in the series-decided Test.
Playing XI
PAKISTAN: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood
ENGLAND: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmad, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir
