The series, held in Pakistan, was a thrilling showcase of resilience and adaptability. While England took the first Test by an innings and 47 runs, Pakistan mounted a comeback with convincing wins in the second and third Tests to clinch the series 2-1.
Notable performances included Harry Brookâs Triple century and Joe Rootâs double century in the first Test, countered by brilliant spin from Pakistanâs Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali in the next two games.
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Series Top Performers:
- Top Batters: Harry Brook (373 @ 74.6 Avg), Joe Root (352 @ 70.4 Avg) & Saud Shakeel (280 @ 56 Avg) were the standout batters.
- Top Bowlers: Nauman Ali (20) and Sajid Khan (19) played key roles, taking 39 of the 40 wickets Pakistan secured across the last two Tests, illustrating Pakistanâs effective spin-based strategy. Jack Leach took 16 wickets in 6 Inns was the 3rd highest overall & highest wicket-taker from English side.
Impact on World Test Championship (WTC) Standings
Before the series, England held a strong position in the WTC standings due to prior wins, while Pakistan was struggling with several losses at home.
The series outcome improved Pakistanâs WTC rank, putting them back in contention, although they remain behind teams like India and South Africa.
England, despite the loss, remains competitive in the rankings, though theyâll need strong performances in upcoming series to maintain their position.
Pakistan has played 10 matches in the World Test Championship, achieving 4 wins and 6 losses. They have not recorded any draws and have a total of 40 points, resulting in a percentage of 33.330. Pakistan is currently at 7th spot & they have 4 matches (2 match series against South Africa & same # of matches against West Indies).
England, on the other hand, has participated in 19 matches, securing 9 wins against 9 losses and 1 draw. They have accumulated 93 points, yielding a points percentage of 40.790 in the standings. English team is currently standing at 6th spot & they still have to play a 3-match series against New Zealand.
BazBall vs. Pakistanâs Counter-Spin Tactics
The aggressive âBazBallâ approach, brought in by coach Brendon McCullum, has transformed Englandâs play style, emphasizing attacking intent and high run rates.
In the first Test, this strategy succeeded on a flatter pitch where England posted a mammoth 823-7. However, Pakistan adapted quickly, making pitch adjustments to enhance spin in the second and third Tests, neutralizing Englandâs attack and exposing BazBallâs vulnerability on spinning surfaces.
By shifting to spin-friendly conditions, Pakistan effectively countered Englandâs pace-focused play and forced their lineup to confront challenging subcontinental conditions.
Aaqib Javedâs Influence as Selector
The entry of Aaqib Javed as a selector brought strategic clarity to Pakistanâs selection policies. His focus on disciplined, condition-based selection was evident with the introduction of spin specialists Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali.
Pakistanâs duo spinners, especially in the final two Tests, were instrumental in Pakistanâs resurgence, proving the impact of Javedâs decision to prioritize players suited for local pitches.
Javed also pushed for the inclusion of younger talent, offering players like Saud Shakeel increased responsibilities, which paid off both in individual performance and team resilience.
Resting Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah
Pakistan took a calculated risk by resting key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah. This decision allowed new talent to shine and kept key players fresh for future series, especially with the WTC race still open.
The absence of Shaheen and Naseem meant that Pakistan had to rely more heavily on their spinners, giving Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan a prominent role. Their performances underscored the depth in Pakistanâs bowling arsenal, with Nauman and Sajid handling the burden skillfully.
For Babar, sitting out allowed other batters, notably Saud Shakeel and Shan Masood, to take up leadership roles and solidify their positions.
Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan: Key to Pakistanâs Success
Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan emerged as the seriesâ key bowlers, dominating Englandâs batting lineup in the final two Tests. Their accurate spin bowling, combined with tactical changes in pace and length, made them nearly unplayable on the spin-friendly tracks prepared after the first Test.
Sajidâs aggressive approach and Naumanâs consistency exposed Englandâs vulnerability on spinning tracks, with the duo taking 39 wickets across the last two Tests.
Match by Match Result & Summary
| Test Match | Venue | Date | Result | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Multan | October 7-11, 2024 | England won by innings 47 runs | Harry Brook (317), Joe Root (262) |
| 2nd Test | Multan | October 15-18, 2024 | Pakistan won by 152 Runs | Sajid Khan (1/111 & 9/204), Noman Ali 11/147) |
| 3rd Test | Rawalpindi | October 24-26, 2024 | Pakistan won by 9 wickets | Nauman Ali 9/130 & Sajid 10/197, Saud Shakeel (134). |
Looking ForwardâŠ.
Pakistanâs home series win against England was their first since 2021, marking a turning point for the team in the WTC.
With the South Africa tour ahead, Pakistan will likely continue a spin-heavy strategy while integrating young talent and maintaining rotation for key players.
England, on the other hand, faces questions about their BazBall approach on subcontinental pitches, especially with series in spin-dominant regions like India in the future.
In conclusion, the Pakistan-England Test series not only showcased Pakistanâs adaptability and depth but also raised questions about BazBallâs versatility, especially against quality spin attacks on challenging pitches.
Aaqib Javedâs entry as a selector has already made a mark, and with a refreshed squad and strategic direction, Pakistan looks set for an intriguing WTC campaign.