Spin bowlers Sajid Khan and Noman Ali helped Pakistan take control in the second Test against England in Multan. After Pakistan set England a tough target of 297 runs, Sajid got rid of Ben Duckett (0) and Noman dismissed Zak Crawley (three), leaving England at 36-2 after an exciting third day. Ollie Pope and Joe Root were not out on 21 and 12 respectively, with England still needing 261 runs and two full days of play left. Sajid was the star in the first innings, taking a record-tying seven wickets to give Pakistan a lead of 75 runs.
Noman, who took three wickets in the first innings, also made an important 32 runs as Pakistan were all out for 366 in the first innings. However, the 38-year-old only scored one run in the second innings.
But he caught everyone’s attention with a perfectly timed shot off his pads. Noman’s effort made his batting partner Agha Salman joke, “Khud maari hai na yeh? (Did you hit it on purpose?)”.
Noman told Salman that he played a shot just like West Indian legend Brian Lara. “Yes! Yes! I hit it just like Lara,” Noman was heard saying through the microphone.
After the end of play on Day 3, Noman mentioned that the cracks on the pitch—the same one used in the first Test, which the visitors won by an innings—will make England’s job harder.
“We’re getting good spin from the rough areas as well as the center of the pitch, so it will be a difficult chase, and we’ll do everything we can to win this Test,” said Noman.
England’s assistant coach, Paul Collingwood, still believes his fearless team can achieve “special things” despite the tough situation.
“It’s going to be a hard chase tomorrow on what is essentially the ninth day of play on that pitch,” said the former England all-rounder.
