Pakistan crush England, claim shock Test series win

England have crashed to a thumping series defeat against Pakistan after being knocked over with embarrassing ease on the third morning of a one-sided decider in Rawalpindi.

The visitors imploded for just 112 as their resolve evaporated in the third Test, the lowest total of the 'Bazball' era leaving the hosts a meagre target of just 36 on Saturday. 

Pakistan knocked off a nine-wicket win in disdainful fashion, taking just 19 balls and finishing with a huge six from captain Shan Masood, leaving England to stomach losing a three-match series from 1-0 up for the first time.

"It's special," Masood said.

"The first win came after a long time and it was backed up by a series win … it's about character. To be here and standing as the wining team, it's the most special thing for us."

It already seems an age ago that England racked up a massive 7-823 on a flat deck in Multan, their highest score in 94 years, and it has taken extreme spinning conditions to produce such a dramatic change.

The manner in which Pakistan have artificially aged the last two pitches with fans, heaters and perhaps even rakes has raised eyebrows but back-to-back thrashings against a side who had not won a home Test, let alone a series, since early 2021 still represents a significant setback.

Once again Pakistan's spin duo of Sajid Ali and Noman Ali were the destroyers, sharing all 10 wickets and taking their combined tally to 39 from 40 since being recalled for the second Test. Only a solitary scalp from Zahid Mahmood spoiled their prospects of a full house.

Yet England were manifestly not up to task, with skipper Ben Stokes aptly ending his innings on his knees after being trapped lbw offering no stroke.

"Disappointing," said Stokes, who missed out on England's memorable win in the first Test recovering from torn hamstring, but returned to lead the side in tougher conditions for his batters.

"We got thrown some challenges over these last two games and weren't able to stand up to them, credit to Pakistan."

The odds were already stacked against the tourists after losing their top three in nine chastening overs the night before but it took a while for England's soft underbelly to reveal itself.

Joe Root and Harry Brook took the overnight deficit down from 53 to 11 before the middle-order carnage began in earnest.

Brook, Stokes and Jamie Smith all fell before the scores were even level.

The final piece of the puzzle was Root and he soon slotted into place. He had largely risen above the calamity on his way to 33 but when Noman tempted him forward then dragged it away, he could not help but edge behind.

It was slim pickings from there.

England took one wicket as Saim Ayub fell lbw to Leach, but they could not halt the hosts' sprint to victory.
With the AP.