Pakistan Breaks Home Win Drought with Dominant 152-Run Victory Over England in Second Test
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan spun Pakistan to a 152-run victory over England in the second Test, claiming all 20 wickets on a turning pitch, marking the hosts’ first home win in over three years. The win ended Pakistan’s 11-match winless streak in home Tests, which included several defeats to England, Australia, and Bangladesh.
England, needing 261 more runs to chase down a daunting target of 297, was bowled out for just 144 in the first session of day four. Left-arm spinner Ali was the standout, taking 8-46 in the second innings to complete match figures of 11-147. Off-spinner Khan, who had grabbed 7-111 in England’s first innings, contributed with another 2-93, as the spinners bowled unchanged and dominated the visitors’ batting.
The victory was significant for captain Shan Masood, who secured his first Test win after six consecutive losses since taking over as Pakistan’s red-ball skipper. “The first one is always special, after some rough times,” Masood said after the match. “For the boys to step in, a lot has happened this past week, but we came up with a strategy to get 20 wickets, and we made it happen.”
England, coming off a commanding victory in the first Test, struggled once again against Pakistan’s spinners. Resuming on 2-36, England’s batsmen were undone by a relentless spin attack. Khan struck early on day four, dismissing Ollie Pope with a return catch. From there, Ali took over, taking seven of the remaining eight wickets.
England captain Ben Stokes, returning from a torn hamstring, top-scored with 37 before falling in an unusual manner. Charging down the wicket to Ali, Stokes lost grip of his bat, which flew to backward square leg as he was stumped. Brydon Carse added a quick 27, hitting three sixes, but ultimately succumbed to Ali.
“We felt we were still in the game and came to chase that down,” Stokes said after the loss. “But once Pakistan was ahead, they really put their foot down. It was a tough ask for us, but the way we took the game on today was the only way we could win.”
Pakistan’s win comes after a string of home Test defeats, with their last victory coming against South Africa in 2021. They will head into the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi next week with momentum on their side.
England leads the series 1-0 after winning the first Test by an innings and 47 runs.
