England’s first inning of final test match against Pakistan ended with a total of 267 runs, as Pakistan’s spinners dominated at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Sajid Khan emerged as the standout bowler, claiming an impressive six wickets, dismantling England’s batting order. His bowling was supported by Noman Ali, who took three wickets, and Zahid Mahmood, who added one to his name. Pakistan’s spin attack was relentless, taking full advantage of the pitch conditions.
Jamie Smith led England’s resistance with a crucial knock of 91 runs from 119 balls, but his effort fell short of a century when Zahid Mahmood trapped him. Gus Atkinson, with 39 runs from 71 deliveries, provided some support, but his dismissal became a turning point in the innings. Pakistan seized control after breaking the Smith-Atkinson partnership, which had started to look dangerous for the hosts.
Sajid Khan was lethal with his variations, dismissing Ollie Pope for just 3 runs after a hesitant review confirmed the LBW decision. Ben Duckett played a solid innings of 52 runs off 84 balls, but like Pope, he too was trapped LBW by Pakistan’s spin attack. Joe Root’s stay at the crease was short-lived as he was dismissed for just 5 runs from 6 balls, while Zak Crawley, who started with promise, was dismissed by Noman Ali for 43 after facing 29 deliveries. Crawley’s innings, which included three boundaries, gave England an early push, but his wicket in the 14th over left the team at 56 for one, halting their momentum.
England’s decision to bat first after winning the toss—something they hadn’t achieved in their last eight Tests—was part of captain Ben Stokes’ strategy to post a commanding total. Stokes emphasized that a strong first innings was key to putting Pakistan under pressure, especially with the series tied at 1-1. England made two changes for this crucial encounter, bringing in Gus Atkinson and Rehan Ahmed to bolster their squad.
On the other hand, Pakistan captain Shan Masood, though slightly disappointed with losing the toss, remained confident in his team’s spin-heavy approach. Masood believed that his bowlers could quickly strike back and restrict England’s scoring, which they managed to do effectively. Pakistan entered this decider with an unchanged lineup, signaling their confidence in the squad’s balance and form.
The Rawalpindi pitch, known for assisting spin as the match progresses, played into Pakistan’s hands from the beginning. The series, tied at one win each, has everything riding on this match, as both teams seek to secure victory and claim bragging rights in what has been a tightly contested series.
Pakistan’s squad featured experienced players like Shan Masood, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Rizwan, alongside spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, while England’s squad, led by Ben Stokes, boasted the likes of Zak Crawley, Joe Root, and young talents like Jamie Smith and Rehan Ahmed. The stage is set for a gripping conclusion to the series, with both teams aiming for a decisive win.
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