• By Namrata Vijay
  • Fri, 18 Oct 2024 03:30 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
Add as a preferred

PAK vs ENG, 2nd Test: Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and batter Babar Azam lauded the team for their efforts after they thrashed England by 152 runs during the second match on Friday. Both Shaheen and Babar were dropped from the squad for the remainder of the Test series against England. Shaheen took to his official X account and heaped praises on spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan as they took all the 20 wickets during the 2nd Test match. Shaheen also lauded Kamran Ghulam for his maiden Test century, who has replaced Babar Azam for the remainder of the series. At the same time, Babar also lauded the team for their brilliant performance.

"Fantastic win at home! Congratulations to Pakistan. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were exceptional, along with a dream debut for Kamran Ghulam and a massive contribution from Salman Ali Agha. Keep it going, Inshallah!" Shaheen had written on his X account. The Men in Green ended their 11-match losing streak as they won the first match under the guidance of Shan Masood.

Also Read: Shan Masood reacts after winning 1st Test against England, says, come after a hard time

Pakistan's bold call pays off

Aamer Jamal was the only fast bowler in their playing XI and they didn't feel the absence of their star pacer Shaheen. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were the chief architects of England's downfall. Sajid gave the team the much-needed breakthroughs and rattled England's batting lineup by taking seven wickets whereas Noman took the remaining. On the fourth day, all the attention turned towards Noman, who had registered his career-best figures. It was initially Sajid, who gave the team the much-needed breakthrough by getting Ollie Pope out in the second over, it was Noman, who registered figures of 8/46 and helped the team dismantle England's batting lineup and thus won a historic match.

The spin duo of Noman and Sajid became the seventh bowling pair in the history of this format to take all 20 wickets. Australia's Bob Massie and Dennis Lillee rattled England's batting lineup in the same way in Lord's in 1972. Massie took 16 wickets, whereas Lille took four wickets in that match.

At the same time, Kamran Ghulam became the 13th Pakistan cricketer to have scored a Test century in his debut match. He also became the second oldest player after Abid Ali to score a century in his debut match in the longest format.