Pakistan vs England: Sajid Khan Shines with Six Wickets, But Pakistan Falters at 73/3

Pakistan vs England : Sajid Khan’s six-wicket haul helped bowl England out for 267, but Pakistan struggled in response, finishing Day 1 of the third Test at 73/3 in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan vs England : Sajid Khan’s Six Wickets Trouble England as Pakistan Struggles in Response

Sajid Khan delivered a brilliant bowling performance on Day 1 of the third Test between Pakistan and England in Rawalpindi, taking six wickets to bowl out England for 267. However, Pakistan faltered in their response, ending the day at 73/3, with England’s spinners striking back quickly. The match remains delicately poised, with both teams looking to take control on Day 2.

England’s Innings: Sajid Khan Dominates with Spin Masterclass

Sajid Khan was the star of the day, weaving his magic with the ball as he ran through England’s batting lineup. The spinner’s accurate line, turn, and variation on the spin-friendly Rawalpindi pitch left the English batsmen struggling to settle. England, after opting to bat first, seemed comfortable early on but soon found themselves in trouble at 118/6, as Sajid ripped through their middle order. His remarkable figures of 6/128 marked one of the best performances by a spinner on this ground.

The pitch, which was prepared to assist spin from the outset, allowed Sajid to fully exploit the conditions. His ability to generate turn and maintain control over the English batsmen was key to Pakistan’s bowling success on Day 1. Sajid’s performance also placed him alongside some of Pakistan’s legendary spinners, such as Mushtaq Ahmed, known for their success in Rawalpindi.

Sajid found excellent support in fellow spinner Noman Ali, who claimed three wickets and consistently kept the pressure on England’s batsmen. With both spinners dominating the attack, Pakistan didn’t even need to rely on their fast bowlers for breakthroughs. The combination of accuracy and spin mastery left England searching for answers.

Smith and Atkinson’s Resurgence

Despite the early damage caused by Pakistan’s spinners, England managed to recover through a crucial partnership between Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson. Smith played a composed and responsible knock of 89, guiding England away from the brink of collapse. His ability to handle Pakistan’s spinners was evident as he kept the scoreboard ticking with calculated strokes. Atkinson, providing valuable support, added 39 runs with an aggressive approach, which further helped stabilize England’s innings.

The pair shared a 105-run partnership, taking England from a precarious position to a more respectable total of 267. Atkinson’s attacking mindset allowed Smith the breathing room to construct his innings carefully. Although neither could reach a century, their contributions were vital in giving England a chance to fight back in the match.

Pakistan’s Response: A Shaky Start

In reply to England’s total, Pakistan’s innings started cautiously but soon ran into trouble. Abdullah Shafique and Ghulam began steadily, but England’s spin attack quickly took control, capitalizing on the conditions that had earlier benefited Sajid. Shafique was the first to fall for 14, followed by Ghulam for just 3, as Pakistan slipped to 17/2.

England’s lead spinner, Jack Leach, was instrumental in creating pressure on Pakistan’s batsmen, keeping the hosts from building any significant partnerships. Leach bowled with discipline and exploited the same turning conditions that Pakistan’s bowlers had enjoyed earlier in the day. His ability to vary his pace and angles kept Pakistan’s batsmen guessing, with Salman Ayub being his third victim, dismissed for 19.

With Pakistan finishing the day at 73/3, their middle order is under pressure to perform on Day 2. Yousuf and captain Babar Azam, the overnight batsmen, will need to anchor the innings and guide Pakistan to a competitive total.

Outlook for Day 2: A Spin-Dominated Battle

Both teams will be looking to gain the upper hand as Day 2 unfolds. With the Rawalpindi pitch continuing to offer significant assistance to spin bowlers, the battle between bat and ball is expected to intensify. England, having struck back late on Day 1, will aim to keep Pakistan’s middle and lower order under constant pressure, hoping to secure a first-innings lead.

Pakistan, on the other hand, will be hoping for a strong partnership from their remaining batsmen to close the gap with England’s total and put their side in a commanding position. The balance of the match remains uncertain, with both teams capable of seizing control depending on how they handle the conditions on the second day.