Pakistan complete first home series win in almost four years

Spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan made history as Pakistan won their first home series in almost four years with victory over England in Rawalpindi.

A resurgent Pakistan side completed a stunning turnaround from losing the first Test by innings, to winning back-to-back Tests, led by their spin bowling duo.

The introduction of Noman and Sajid after Pakistan lost the first Test changed the complexion of the series and once more they shared all 10 wickets in the final innings. Left-armer Noman ended with 6-42 and Sajid 4-69, the latter with 11 in the match.

The pair took 19 in the match and made it 39 wickets in the last two Tests.

For England, there was no repeat of their series win here two years ago. Instead, a third Test loss in four matches and sealed only a second series defeat under Ben Stokes’ captaincy.

There is a short turnaround to their next Test series, in New Zealand at the end of November, while an almost entirely different squad begins a white-ball series in the West Indies this week.

Pakistan Captain Shan Masood: “London buses they come together. The first win came after a long time and it is backed up by a series win.

“This group, management, the board, what they have been through in past few weeks – that means a lot. For everyone to stand up and give their best means a lot.”

Stokes added: “It’s disappointing but whether we do well or not, we try to take the positives. Regardless of the result we should focus on what went right.

“You’ve got to practice but the pressures of Test match cricket can never be replicated.”