Noman Ali and Sajid Khan played a crucial role in Pakistan’s victory in a Test match at home for the first time since 2021. After going winless in Pakistan for 11 Test matches, they secured a 152-run win in the second Test against England in Multan, leveling the series. Remarkably, Noman and Sajid, the spin bowling pair, claimed all 20 wickets, achieving a rare feat in Test cricket that had not been seen in over 50 years.
The last instance of two bowlers taking all 20 wickets of the opposition was in 1972 when Australia’s Bob Massie and Dennis Lillee achieved the feat against England at Lord’s. Sajid Khan shone with nine wickets, including seven in the first innings, while Noman Ali took an impressive eight wickets in the second innings, finishing with 11 wickets in the match.
The historic achievement of only two bowlers picking up all 20 wickets in a Test match has occurred on six other occasions in the history of Test cricket. Sajid and Noman’s remarkable performance now joins this elite list.
In the Test match, Pakistan posted 366 runs in their first innings, led by a century from debutant Kamran Ghulam. Sajid Khan’s brilliant bowling restricted England to 291 runs, setting up a target of 297 runs in the fourth innings. With Pakistan’s spinners dominating on a deteriorating pitch, England struggled to cope, managing only 144 runs and succumbing to a heavy defeat by 152 runs.
The victory in Multan marked a significant turnaround for Pakistan, breaking their winless streak at home and showcasing the prowess of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan in the art of spin bowling.
