In a gripping turn of events, Pakistan ended a three-year-long drought of Test wins at home with a historic 2-1 series victory against England. This remarkable comeback began after a humbling innings defeat in Multan, marking what many are calling one of Pakistan’s greatest Test series victories. Against all odds, Pakistan clinched back-to-back victories in the next two Tests, showcasing the resilience of their players.

The series opener in Multan had seemed like it would pave the way for England’s dominance. England seemed to have picked up right where they left off in their 2022 tour, scoring a jaw-dropping 823 runs on an unusually flat Multan pitch that appeared to be a batter’s paradise. After Pakistan’s solid 556 in the first innings, England had come out swinging, with Joe Root smashing his second double century against Pakistan and Harry Brook producing a monumental triple ton that had left Pakistan in disarray.

Despite the placid track, Pakistan’s batting then crumbled in their second innings, unable to withstand the pressure, and they eventually succumbed to an innings defeat. English fans and media had celebrated the victory, hailing it as one of England’s finest Test wins, confident that the series was theirs for the taking.

However, this loss prompted deep introspection within the Pakistan camp, triggering a series of bold decisions that would prove transformative. Pakistan’s newly formed selection committee — including Aqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar, Asad Shafiq and Hassan Cheema — wasted no time in making seismic changes, reshaping the team and strategically aligning with their home conditions.

The recent high-stakes Pakistan-England Test series saw Pakistan finally leverage home advantage to full effect to end a three-year drought of Test wins

In a move that shocked many, the committee dropped three heavyweights: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. Many labelled it a crisis within Pakistan cricket, but the committee believed it was the shake-up Pakistan needed.

When the second Test began in Multan, a refreshed Pakistan line-up took the field. The selectors reinstated three spinners: Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mahmood, setting up a classic spin trap for the visitors. Kamran Ghulam, a consistent First-Class performer, finally earned his long-awaited Test cap, replacing Babar Azam in the batting order.

Ghulam’s debut could not have been more poetic, as he produced a century that showcased his grit and hard work. His teammates celebrated his milestone with visible joy, marking an emotional moment for a player who had been knocking on the doors of international cricket for years.

But it was Sajid Khan who took the spotlight, with his impeccable spin in England’s second innings. The stylish bowler from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, known for his bald head and impressive moustache, was handed the new ball by captain Shan Masood. Sajid immediately weaved his magic, ripping through the English batting line-up.

England’s solid start, with a partnership that put on 50 runs, quickly unravelled as Noman Ali drew first blood, dismissing the English opener. Then, Sajid unleashed his fury, dismissing key players such as Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ollie Pope. By the end of his spell, he had bagged seven crucial wickets, and England were bundled out for a total far short of Pakistan’s first-innings score of 366.

Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan’s consistent performer, anchored the third innings with his classy stroke-play, helping set a challenging target for England on a deteriorating pitch. As Pakistan’s spin attack struck late on day three, they removed both English openers before the day ended, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

With Bazball’s biggest guns, Brook and Root, still at the crease, English fans held out hope for a comeback. But Pakistan’s spin pair had other plans. By the first session of day four, they had dismantled the entire English line-up, achieving Pakistan’s first Test victory at home in three years.

It was an emotional triumph, with the team missing three of its biggest stars. Pakistan’s idea to reuse the Multan pitch for spin took centre-stage, and the English media raised concerns, arguing that the series had turned into a toss-dependent game.

With their newfound confidence, Pakistan prepared for the final showdown in Rawalpindi. The pitch in Rawalpindi has always been known to favour fast bowlers and batters, offering little to spinners. However, in an unexpected move, Pakistan’s used heaters and large fans to dry out the surface, turning it into an uncharacteristically spin-friendly wicket.

As the final Test began, Ben Stokes finally won the toss, electing to bat. The English side breathed a sigh of relief, believing that the toss could tilt the odds in their favour. However, they quickly realised the challenge that lay ahead. Sajid Khan, delivering the first ball on a pitch that had been expertly prepared to offer turn, immediately set the tone. In a mere 70 overs, Pakistan had reduced England to a paltry total of 112, their batters left searching for answers.

When it was Pakistan’s turn to bat, their line-up faced its own set of challenges. But Saud Shakeel stepped up with a measured, elegant innings that turned the tide. His knock of 134, on a surface where every run counted, was a masterclass in patience and technique. Saud’s composed play, coupled with a record partnership with Noman Ali, gave Pakistan the breathing room they needed. Later, Sajid Khan’s explosive cameo added the finishing touches to Pakistan’s first innings.

The final day saw Pakistan’s spinners once again wreak havoc. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan delivered with deadly precision, taking early wickets and dismissing both English openers before lunch. England’s hopes were pinned on Root and Brook, who had shown flashes of resistance earlier in the series.

For a brief 40 minutes, England’s counterattack looked like it might reverse Pakistan’s momentum. However, Noman Ali induced Brook to play a reckless shot, sealing his fate. Noman’s spell was a spectacle, deceiving Ben Stokes with a sharp delivery that struck him on the pads, marking the end of England’s faint comeback hopes.

As Pakistan closed in on victory, the scene was electric. Shan Masood, ready to end the series with a flourish, smashed a quickfire 23 off just six balls, sealing the game with a towering six that sent the crowd into raptures. Pakistan had not only clinched a Test series at home for the first time in three years but had done so in style, defeating one of the world’s strongest teams without their star players. The series was more than just a win; it was a statement, a demonstration of Pakistan’s ability to adapt, innovate and fight back when the odds were against them.

This historic series win has sparked discussions in the cricket world about ‘AqibBall’ — a strategy driven by Aqib Javed’s innovative approach of spin-heavy line-ups on reconditioned pitches. By using Multan’s and Rawalpindi’s traditionally flat decks as spin-favouring surfaces, Pakistan leveraged their home advantage to full effect.

While the English media voiced frustration after the second Test, questioning the series’ reliance on toss outcomes, Pakistan’s fans were quick to defend their team’s mastery of home conditions. ‘AqibBall’, many argued, was simply Pakistan playing to their strengths in a high-stakes series.

For Pakistan, the series symbolised the dawn of a new era. The resurgence of forgotten talents such as Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, and the resolve of young stars such as Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel, demonstrated Pakistan’s depth and adaptability. Fans celebrated not just a victory, but a renewed hope for Test cricket’s future in Pakistan.

The writer is a software engineer and cricket enthusiast. X: @abubakartarar_

Published in Dawn, EOS, November 3rd, 2024