In a captivating display of spin bowling artistry, Pakistan’s unlikely heroes, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, orchestrated a historic Test victory against England. This unlikely duo, as different as chalk and cheese, proved to be the perfect blend, dismantling England’s batting line-up to secure a resounding 152-run win in the second Test at Multan.
This triumph marked Pakistan’s first Test win on home soil since their victory against South Africa in Rawalpindi three years and eight months ago. The win sets the stage for a nail-biting finale in Rawalpindi, where Pakistan seeks to clinch the series.
The spin twins, who have now played eight Tests together, were instrumental in achieving this remarkable feat. They took all 20 wickets in the match, with Noman claiming a career-best 8-46 in the second innings and Sajid laying the foundation with 7-111 in the first innings.
Their achievement is a testament to their exceptional partnership and a rare feat in Test cricket. The last time a pair of bowlers achieved this feat was in 1972 when Australia’s Dennis Lillee and Bob Massie took all 20 wickets against England.
Noman, the seasoned left-arm spinner, provided insights into their success, highlighting their unwavering confidence and simplicity of approach. “We bowled with a lot of confidence and his energy is always very high,” he said about his partner, off-spinner Sajid. “Our plan was to keep it simple. We knew the England batsman would attack, so we were not distracted and kept it simple.”
Sajid, known for his dashing on-field presence and signature exuberant thigh-slap celebration after claiming a wicket, credits his late father, a military veteran, for his iconic moustache. “I followed my father in keeping a moustache,” Sajid said, adding humorously that former Australian batsman David Warner once confessed to being “frightened” of his moustache.
Their success has been celebrated by former Pakistan cricketers, who have recognized the duo’s ability to complement each other perfectly. Former left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim, who holds the record of 171 wickets in 50 Tests for Pakistan, believes their partnership is the key to Pakistan’s winning formula. “Spin gives us the winning formula which we were not using,” Qasim said. “Noman and Sajid have matured with experience and can continue to give home wins like this.”
The duo’s achievements are even more remarkable considering the recent emphasis on spin bowling in Pakistan’s selection strategy. Former Pakistan off-spinner Tauseef Ahmed, who played alongside Qasim in the 1980s, pointed out that the previous selection committee lacked confidence in spinners, neglecting Pakistan’s home advantage.
The series finale promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams poised to claim victory. The spotlight will undoubtedly be on the unlikely heroes, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, as they aim to cement their place in Pakistan’s cricketing history.
