Noman's eight spins Pakistan to second Test victory

18 Oct 2024 Rory Dollard, PA

Spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan picked up all 20 wickets as Pakistan bounced back with a big win to level Test series against England

England were ruthlessly demolished by Pakistan spinner Noman Ali as they crashed to a 152-run defeat in Multan, with Ben Stokes' slapstick dismissal summing up their struggles.

Chasing a vast target of 297 on a raging turner, England were bundled out for 144, with Noman claiming 8-46.

Skipper Stokes was stumped after advancing down the re-used pitch and accidentally launching his bat 20 yards in the air.

It was a grimly humorous moment, with Mohammad Rizwan whipping off the bails as Stokes turned to see his GM blade disappearing towards square leg, and capped a chastening conclusion for the tourists as the hosts levelled the three-match series 1-1.

Stokes' bat goes flying after advancing down the wicket to try and hit Noman over the top // Getty

In the process Pakistan – coached by Australian Jason Gillespie – ended their six-game losing streak, recorded their first win on home soil since February 2021 and set up a decider in Rawalpindi next week.

England had harboured hopes of producing one of their trademark turnarounds but were unable to contain Noman as he and Sajid Khan completed the rare feat of sharing all 20 wickets.

Only six other Test duos have achieved the feat, with Australians Dennis Lillee and Bob Massie the last to do so at Lord's in 1972.

The last spinners to do so were England's Jim Laker and Tony Lock, in 1956.

"I think the first one's always special, and it's come after some hard times, some rough times," Shan Masood said after his first Test win as Pakistan captain.

"Noman and Sajid coming in for their first games; it's never easy, and they seemed like two seasoned campaigners coming in and doing their job in the second innings.

"We didn't need a third bowler, so that just speaks volumes for them."

Stokes lamented the fact he and teammates failed to capitalise on decent starts.

"When you get extreme conditions like that, you've got to find a way to negate that spin, which I think we managed to do in some good parts," he said.

"We would have liked to have gone on, especially myself and a couple of the guys who got starts. We might even be able to get closer, if not win the game."

The third and final Test begins in Rawalpindi on Thursday.