Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Pakistan dominated Day 1 of the Rawalpindi Test match as Sajid Khan bagged another five-for against England on Thursday (Oct 24). Playing at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan bowled out England for 267 before closing at 73/3. Sajid was also the Player of the Match in the second Test at Multan, which ended the host's three-year wait for a win on home soil.
Sajid Khan steals the show
Having played a pivotal role in the second Test match, Sajid was again at his best on Thursday as he got the better of top batters Ollie Pope (3), Joe Root (5) and Harry Brook (5). His spell proved to be crucial as Pakistan had England at bay. With the visitors struggling at 98/5, Jamie Smith (89) and returning Gus Atkinson (39) stitched an important stand of 107 runs for the seventh wicket and helped England cross 200.
On the other hand, Noman Ali also was at his best as he ended with figures of 88/3. Noman had scalped 11 wickets in the second Test in Multan and like Sajid played another crucial role in helping the side bowl out England.
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After bowling out the visitors, Pakistan could not consolidate on the bowling heroics as they lost three wickets before Stumps on Day 1. After being 35/0, Pakistan lost three wickets in a span of four overs and were 46/3. Jack Leach, Atkinson and Shoaib Bashir all ended with one wicket each, with Pakistan ending the day at 73/3. Skipper Shan Masood (16) and Saud Shakeel (16) are in the middle and will look for a good start on Day 2.
Both teams will be looking for a win considering the series is currently level at 1-1. A win for either side will see them pocket the series. Pakistan haven’t won a Test series on home soil since February 2021, enduring a winless drought of about four years.