Pakistan beat England by 152 runs to register first home Test win since February 2021

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Pakistan thrashed England by 152 runs at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 18, to register their first Test win at home since 2021.

They played a total of 11 Test matches during the period, losing seven of them and settling for draws four times. The win against England came on the back of three back-to-back home Test defeats.

Pakistan team underwent a major overhaul after losing the first Test of three-match series against England by an innings and 47 runs. Former captain Babar Azam, and star pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were dropped. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, the only specialist spinner in the Pakistan playing eleven in the first Test, was also dropped.

A spinning track was prepared for the second Test at the same venue, and Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were inducted in the Pakistan playing eleven. The duo picked all the 20 wickets for Pakistan in the second Test to help their team level the series 1-1. Left-arm spinner Noman picked 11 wickets including eight in the second innings, while off-spinner Sajid Khan chipped in with nine wickets including seven in the first innings.

On the final Day 5 (Friday), Sajid helped Pakistan get rid of Ollie Pope before Noman Ali ran through the England batting lineup. Captain Ben Stokes top-scored for England in the second innings with 37 off 36.

Earlier in the match, Pakistan scored 366 after opting to bat first. Babar Azam's replacement Kamran Ghulam smashed a hundred in his debut Test innings. Mohammad Rizwan (41) and Agha Salman (31) also chipped in with handy contributions.

Agha also scored 63 crucial runs in the second innings as Pakistan scored 221 to set a 297-run target for England. The series-deciding third Test of the series will be played in Rawalpindi from October 24.