ENGLAND TOUR OF PAKISTAN, 2024

Last-minute picks, Sajid and Noman spin Pakistan back to glory

Sajid Khan and Noman Ali picked all 20 England wickets between them, which is only the second time that two spinners have done it in Test cricket
Sajid Khan and Noman Ali picked all 20 England wickets between them, which is only the second time that two spinners have done it in Test cricket ©PCB

Fourth umpire Rashid Riaz had his eyes fixated on the pitch as the groundstaff rolled the heaviest roller in the Multan Cricket Stadium's inventory on the directions of the England camp. It was the third time in the last 24 hours that they had asked for it to be used on the recycled surface. But, just like a toddler who refuses to be calmed down after waking up from a nap, this pitch had sprung to life after nine days of cricket and it was not going to be tamed.

It was a straightforward task for Pakistan - take England's last eight wickets for less than 261 runs. But, Pakistan have botched Tests from commanding positions recently. They limited Australia to 16 for four in Melbourne and had Bangladesh tottering at 26 for 6 but lost both times because of their ever-perennial fielding woes and questionable tactics.

There is always a 'what if' in the air for a team that seems to have forgotten how wins are manufactured. It, after all, had been almost four years that they had not won a Test at home. Their last six Tests across the world had resulted in crushing defeats.

"It's going to be massive, because we haven't won a Test match at home for God knows how many years now," Salman Ali Agha said at the close of day three's play. "It's going to be a very, very big thing for us. We will make sure we will put all the efforts there and make sure we win this game, because that's very important for us."

Unlike the last time England were in Pakistan, the two Multan Tests were played largely in front of the empty stands. There were times when the travelling English fans in the Inzamam-ul-Haq enclosure outnumbered the locals. Multan and Rawalpindi have always been the two cities where people turn out in droves. But, so disgruntled the fans have become that they simply stopped showing up. So 'important' it was indeed for Pakistan to arrest the abysmal streak.

The enclosures around the field of play were dotted with fans on Friday even before the action had begun. They got denser with every ball despite the oppressive Multan heat. There was, after all, finally hope after long agony and torment.

Pakistan had a stern challenge to surmount: Ollie Pope's second innings 196 at Hyderabad at the start of this year against a much skilled and experienced Indian bowling attack had demonstrated his credentials in such hostile conditions; Joe Root is one of the best players of spin; Harry Brook averaged over 116 at a strike rate 96 in Pakistan; and, Ben Stokes has done impossible (cue to Headingly 2019).

But, here, they were against a dismayed pair hell-bent on leaving a mark and they took an hour and 45 minutes to dismantle the England line-up. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali may not have been playing this match altogether had Pakistan not lost last week the way they did. They had been ignored altogether for the Bangladesh Tests and Noman was released from the squad on the day of the first Test, for which Sajid was not even selected.

'Desperate' - as Sajid would reveal that he was to play for Pakistan after day two of the second Multan Test - the pair engraved themselves in history books. They shared England's all 20 wickets - which is only the second time that two spinners have done it in Test cricket - between them and such was their impact that Shan Masood would not even turn to anyone else during the fourth innings. Sajid recorded the best figures in Multan by Lunch yesterday and Noman bettered his returns in less than 24 hours.

It started with the gentle push back to Sajid from Pope during the second over of the fourth morning and then it was over to Noman who took the remaining seven wickets to record eight for 46. England tried to sweep, paddle, and scoop their way out and Stokes, for a while, seemed on course to spring a surprise on Pakistan, but Noman ticked off an England wicket almost every second over. It may seem a long time ago, but the last time Noman had bowled for Pakistan before this match, he took seven wickets for 70 to set Pakistan's commanding win over Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs.

They say Pakistan cricket is the best when it is the most volatile. It has seen most turbulent times of late, but the frantic decision over the weekend were unprecedented. When was the last time that a board overhauled its selection committee who forced the team's policy reversal during a series? But, all that has paid dividends, and for now, Pakistan can celebrate. They can celebrate with the belief that they have players to take 20 wickets. They can be content knowing that in the absence of their usual match-winners, there are other who will step up.

A reverbed version of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Aakhian Udeek Diyan blasted from the PA system after Pakistan's win. The song is about a man wailing for his love to return. Just like Pakistan fans have been yearning for a win at home. It has been a long, long wait.

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