Spin masterclass from Pakistan leaves England struggling on Day 1 of the Final Test

The newly-minted combination of Pakistan is working wonders in Rawalpindi. The plan to trap England in the spin web fared seamlessly on Day 1 of the final Pakistan vs England Test. After playing the first two Tests on the same turf in Multan, the teams headed to Rawalpindi to clash in the series decider. There, Pakistan, with the use of industrial fans, made sure that the pitch aided the stars of their second Test victory in the ultimate match too. The results showed early, as the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali triggered a collapse within the English batting line-up.

Sajid Khan and Noman Ali star as England surrenders on Day 1 in Rawalpindi

Kicking off the final Test in Rawalpindi, England chose to bat first after winning the toss. However, the team couldn’t endure the attack led by the spinners on the dry turf. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, who shared 20 wickets between themselves in the second match, continued their lethal form in Rawalpindi as well. The first wicket of the day came when Ali trapped Zak Crawley in the 14th over of the game. Batting at 29 off 48 balls, Crawley handed a flighted delivery to Saim Ayub at backward point. As the pitch revealed its nature to England, continuing the innings became increasingly difficult for the team.

Next up, Sajid Khan joined the attack as he scalped two in quick succession. Ollie Pope, the captain in the first Test that England won, departed cheaply at 3 off 14, with Khan claiming him lbw. In the same fashion, Joe Root, who destroyed Pakistan in the first Test with a double ton in Multan, departed for 5 (6) as Sajid remained relentless. Noman Ali then claimed the wicket of a set Ben Duckett, who was the sole batter to reach a half-century. Sajid Khan followed up by clearing Harry Brook, who had scripted his maiden triple ton in the first match, as he bowled him out for just 5 off 14. Captain Ben Stokes also proved ineffective for England, falling to Sajid for a meager 12.

By the lunch break, Pakistan had reduced England to 98 for 5, with key batters like Root, Duckett, and Brook already back in the dugout. Things improved slightly for the visitors as Jamie Smith staged a semblance of a comeback. The wicketkeeper-batter scored a tenacious 89 off 119. Moreover, the newcomer in the English side denied wickets to the stars of the day. It was Zahid Mahmood who rose to the occasion when Smith threatened to bring England back into the game. Ultimately, England was bundled out for 267 within 69 overs in their first innings. Sajid Khan claimed 6 wickets, while Noman wrapped up the innings with 3 wickets to his name. At stumps on Day 1, the hosts were batting at 73 for the loss of 3 wickets.