“Pakistan cricket is back in full force” – Shahid Afridi reacts as Men in Green beat England by 9 wickets in 3rd Test, seals series 2-1
Former Pakistan player Shahid Afridi has lauded the Shan Masood-led side for their back-to-back victory against England in the three-match Test series. Afridi credited the hosts for fighting back after an innings and 47-run loss in the opening Test before winning the series 2-1.
The Men Green won the second and third fixtures by 152 runs and nine wickets, respectively. This was Pakistan’s first Test series win at home since 2020-21 when they beat South Africa.
Afridi reserved special praise for spinner Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, who were the chief architects of the second and third Test wins. He also credited Saud Shakeel for his fighting ton, which turned the game in their favor.
Shakeel, in particular, shared crucial partnerships with Noman (45) and Sajid (48) to help the hosts take a 77-run first innings lead.
Shahid Afridi wrote on X:
“This was a true team effort that has lifted the spirit of the entire nation. Pakistan cricket is back in full force and this triumph is just the beginning of many more victories to come!”
“Pakistan, you absolute beauty! Only Pakistan could shake off the disappointment of the first Test with such a bold and inspiring turnaround. Noman and Sajid let their skills speak volumes, spinning webs around England’s lineup, while the batters, especially Saud Shakeel in the third Test, delivered with grit and flair,” he added.
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan picked up 20 and 19 wickets, respectively, in two Tests. Meanwhile, Saud Shakeel finished as the Men in Green's leading run-scorer in the Test series, scoring 280 in five innings.
Skipper Shan Masood registered his first Test series win after losing to Australia and Bangladesh in away and home fixtures.
Pakistan beat England by nine wickets in a series decider – As it happened
Batting first, England posted 267. Jamie Smith starred with the bat, scoring 89 off 119 deliveries, while Ben Duckett chipped in with a half-century. Sajid Khan emerged as the leading wicket-taker, picking up six wickets. Noman Ali also bagged three wickets.
In response, the hosts put up 344, courtesy of a century from Saud Shakeel. Rehan Ahmed was the pick of England bowlers, scalping four wickets. Shoaib Bashir and Gus Atkinson bagged three and two wickets, respectively.
In the second innings, the visitors were bundled out for 112 to set up a modest 36-run target. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan shared five and four wickets, respectively.
Shan Masood and company then chased the target in just 3.1 overs as the skipper hit a six off Bashir. Jack Leach took a solitary wicket for England.