PAK vs ENG | Sajid Khan’s six-fer pushes England into retreat as Pakistan spins its way to dominance

Debayan Sinha

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

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Sajid Khan's six-fer restricted England to 267 runs at Rawalpindi. Noman Ali also contributed with a three-for and dismantling England’s batting lineup despite Jamie Smith's valiant 89 while Pakistan's top order faced early setbacks leaving Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel at the crease at stumps.

‌The visitors won the toss and opted to bat, initially finding success as openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley posted 54/0 in 13 overs. However, England's downfall began when Noman Ali dismissed Crawley, followed by Sajid Khan taking out Ollie Pope and Joe Root. Thereafter, Harry Brook also fell cheaply, leaving England in trouble at 98/5, with the pitch favouring Pakistan's spinners. With Jamie Smith and Ben Stokes at the crease, England cruised to 107/5 in 29 overs as lunch was called. 

Post lunch, Stokes was immediately scalped by Sajid and England continued to tumble. Despite the struggles, Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson steadied the innings, forging a 107-run partnership that brought the score to 224/6 in 59 overs. Smith scored a brisk fifty off 94 balls, but Noman soon broke the partnership by dismissing Atkinson. Smith continued his aggressive batting but fell just short of a century, departing for 89 off 119 balls, leaving England at 224/8 at tea. 

However, post-tea, England's innings collapsed as Sajid demonstrated his mastery, taking quick wickets of Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach, securing a six-wicket haul that bundled England out for 267 runs. After a brief gap, Pakistan opened their batting as Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique started the innings decently and took the scorecard to 33/0 in nine overs. However, Shoaib Bashir drew the first blood and scalped Shafique who departed scoring 14 runs. Skipper Shan Masood joined Saim at the crease the duo kept the scorecard ticking to 43/1 and trailing by 224 runs. But soon after the drinks break, Ayub is scalped by Jack Leach. The top order continued to fall as Kamran Ghulam too departed when Gus Atkinson scalped him in the 14th over.  Ultimately, Pakistan finished the day at 73/3 and trailing by 194 runs with Masood and Saud Shakeel at the crease. 

One more fifer

Can they bounce back?

Too much experiments

Perfect combo

Most runs in a day

This guy

Crumbled

bad day for him

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