OTD Pakistan scripted a brilliant turnaround win over England in 2024

On this day in 2024, Pakistan completed one of their most clinical Test comebacks, defeating England 2-1 in the three-match series after losing the opening Test by an innings in Multan. It recorded Pakistan’s first home Test series win since 2021, achieved through the brilliance of their spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. After England’s record-breaking 823/7 declared in the first Test handed Pakistan a humiliating defeat, as the hosts made some notable changes with names like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah being replaced by the spin pair of Noman and Sajid.

In the second Test at Multan, Pakistan levelled the series with a 152-run win, thanks to the spinners sharing all 20 English wickets. The decider in Rawalpindi displayed Pakistan’s dominance. After being bowled out for 267 in the first innings, the visitors were blown away for just 112 in the second as Noman Ali took 6 for 42 while Sajid Khan picked up 4 for 69. Together, they shared all 10 wickets in the innings and 39 wickets across the last two Tests.

Chasing only 36 runs for victory, skipper Shan Masood finished the job as he smashed four consecutive boundaries off Jack Leach and sealed the win with a six over long-off against Shoaib Bashir. The home team reached the target in just 19 balls to clinch a nine-wicket victory.  Saud Shakeel was awarded the Player of the Match in the final Test for his 134. Meanwhile, Sajid was named the Player of the Series for picking 19 wickets in two Test matches.

The win was special for Masood, who had endured six straight losses as captain before this series. Meanwhile, for England, which won the first Test in a record-breaking manner, suffered back-to-back defeats. Ben Stokes admitted the defeat was disappointing, conceding that his team could not stand up to the challenges. Notably, Pakistan’s turnaround was their first series victory from 1-0 down at home.