Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand), Sharfuddoula Saikat (Bangladesh), Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka, TV)
Referee
Sir Richie Richardson (West Indies)
Toss
England elected to bat
Pitch Report
It looks like a pitch with more cracks. But, it is rock hard. It's a good pitch, it may turn as the game progresses. But because the square is quite lush green, not sure how much reverse swing there will be off this surface. But on the whole, it's a good pitch, certainly for the first couple of days.
Experts are creating their teams, watch this space
Venue Details
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
It looks like a pitch with more cracks. But, it is rock hard. It's a good pitch, it may turn as the game progresses. But because the square is quite lush green, not sure how much reverse swing there will be off this surface. But on the whole, it's a good pitch, certainly for the first couple of days.
The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
That's that from this match as I, Lavil Saldanha and my colleague, Sourabh take your leave. This series comes to an end but cricket doesn't. Switch tabs to follow the second India-New Zealand Test on Sportskeeda. Till then, we wait in anticipation to seeing you all soon. GOOD BYE!
Shan Masood and Pakistan pick up the trophy and rejoice in their first win at home since 2021. There will be cheers and chants all over the nation, with new heroes behind hailed and new characters taking over from here on for them
Shan Masood (captain, Pakistan): The first win came after a long time and it was backed up with the series. What this group, management and everyone involved has gone through has been incredible. Sajid literally bled for us yesterday and this win means a lot to us. Saud Shakeel's knock was incredible, the way Sajid and Noman played was amazing. Zahid Mehmood and Aamer Jamal gave it their all. We have been discussing doing small things right and that has helped us. It is a change of conditions for us, this was challenging from Day 1, but we have been able to adapt to conditions and have good seemers as well. The onus will be to pick up 20 wickets. Good batting by everyone, we have batted well and set up first innings scores that have challenged this English side. For me, the biggest thing will be progress in Pakistan cricket. It is heartening to see young talent come through and how the seniors have come back. Saud, Salman have been like leaders in the dressing room and Rizwan has been really good in the dressing room. Will dedicate this win to the people of Pakistan, who have been through tough times in cricket and otherwise. Thanks to the Englan cricket team for coming, hopefully, it will be a five-match Test series sometime soon
Ben Stokes (captain, England): disappointing losing games and series. Credit to Pakistan, they played well but the next time we will be looking to come much more prepared. We have a tour coming up in New Zealand. The summer finished late back home, and some of the guys played in the ODI. The pressure of the Test cannot be simulated in practice. Regardless of the result, there have been unbelievable individual performances. That aspect of Rehan and Bashir coming to play Test here means a lot for their parents and it is massive for them. They are incredibly talented early in their careers
Sajid Khan (Player of the Series for 19 wickets in the series, Pakistan): We have won the series and everyone performed well. There is no pressure, everyone wanted to perform and we have played domestic cricket on similar surfaces as well. Off the field, Kamran Ghulam is my best friend. I am a very funny person in the dressing room. If we look at it, in Multan we didn't have to do much. Whereas here, they way Saud played, we needed to take some time and play something that helped us win the game. Noman Bhai is one of the most experienced guys, the honour should have been shared. Congratulations to Pakistan on this win
Saud Shakeel (Player of the Match for his century, Pakistan): It is a bit difficult but when the plans are clear and you are clear things get difficult. As a vice-captain, I enjoy the responsibility. Indeed, I don't enjoy facing spin much but when they are coming it is a good feeling. The full credit goes to Sajid and Nauman, they chipped in with the bat and did a great job with the ball as well (Translated from Urdu)
12:00 Local Time(12:30 IST): Pakistan win by 9 wickets and take the 3-match series 2-1
Saud Shakeel 134(223) | Sajid Khan 6/128 & 4/69 Jamie Smith 89(119)&3(16) | Rehan Ahmed 4/66(17.4)
A red-letter day in Pakistan cricket as they clinch a home test series after 4 attempts, the last one came back in 2021 against South Africa. And why is this win even more significant is because of all that has gone around it.
Big names were rested/dropped after the humiliating loss in the first test in Multan. New names emerged, some old ones resurfaced and they have scripted a remarkable comeback victory to remember.
For England, it has been the same story once more. In fact, even worse in the second innings where they were mindless at times and gave it away to the spin duo of Noman and Sajid who had tasted blood. Only Root and Brook to some degree were willing to put their heads down and apply themselves on the crease but that too did not last long with Root getting 33 and Brook 26. They had no answers to spin and the pair of Noman and Sajid were a bit too much for them to handle.
They are left with a lot of questions to answer after putting up yet another dismal performance with the bat. It was not as if the pitch was unplayable, the ball did its bit for Noman and Sajid who eventually got all the 10 wickets but England were undone by their own approach. The duo took 39 wickets in the 2 matches they played out of a total of 40 and they were the chief architects of this remarkable turnaround forged by Pakistan. They were instrumental with the bat too in getting Pakistan from a tricky situation at 177/7 to an eventual score of 344 with both the spinners contributing vital 40s in combination with a splendid 4th test century from Saud Shakeel who amassed 134.
Chasing a mere 36 to win in the final innings, Pakistan got off to a brisk start before Saim Ayub was dismissed after hitting a couple of boundaries. But then a 6-ball 23 from Pakistan's skipper Shan Masood made sure that the game was finished in the first session itself on Day 3.
Hugs all around, in the center between skipper Shan and Shafique, all around in the dressing room and this has been a turnaround of some sorts. After being blown away in the first team in Multan, Pakistan have roared back and how. They are absolutely elated and get a test series win at home after more than 3 years
3.1 Shoaib Bashir to Shan Masood, SIX! SHAN MASOOD FINISHES IT OFF IN STYLE! Full and outside the off stump, Masood goes inside out over covers and sends it over the ropes for a maximum. A mighty hit to seal the game as Pakistan beat England by 9 wickets and win the Test series 2-1. A first Test series win over England after 2015 for the Men in Green!
Just 5 more needed now. The entire Pakistan team is on their feet in the dressing room
3
overs
31/1score
W
4
4
4
4
1
runs
Shan Masood*
17(5)
Abdullah Shafique
5(9)
Jack Leach
1/27
2.6 Jack Leach to Shan Masood, full and outside the off stump. Masood steps down the track and Masood gets an inside edge towards long on for a single to end the over. Only 5 needed for a win now
2.5 Jack Leach to Shan Masood, FOUR AGAIN! Length delivery on the leg stump, Masood reverse sweeps that one towards deep backward point and the ball races away to the fence for a boundary. Four boundaries in four balls! Masood has ended this game now!
Leach goes round the wicket
Can Shan Masood finish it off in this over itself? 2 balls and 10 runs
2.4 Jack Leach to Shan Masood, FOUR MORE! SHAN MASOOD IS IN A HURRY! Full and outside the off stump, Masood steps down the track and hits it down the ground for a boundary. England now need only 10 runs to win!
2.3 Jack Leach to Shan Masood, FOUR MORE! Full and outside the off stump, Masood brings out the reverse and plays it behind point for a boundary
Shan Masood makes his intentions clear straightaway
2.2 Jack Leach to Shan Masood, FOUR! INTENT OFF THE FIRST DELIVERY! Full and outside the off stump, Masood comes down the track and hits it over the top for a boundary to get underway
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Shan Masood
*
Jack Leach
Video
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Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
