Turning the tide: How Pakistan bounced back to secure series victory over England

Pakistan staged a thrilling comeback to overturn a 0-1 series deficit into an impressive 2-1 series win over England.

The final match in Rawalpindi saw the hosts clinch the series with a commanding nine-wicket win before lunch on the third day, securing their first home series win after three years. This victory highlighted their strategic pivot to rely on their spin arsenal, a decision that turned the series in their favor.

After Pakistan’s humiliating defeat in the first Test in Multan, the outlook was grim. The team had been on a six-match losing streak under captain Shan Masood, struggling to find consistency and home-ground success. But behind the scenes, there were major shifts in strategy and personnel that would ultimately pay off.

Bold selection calls and strategic shifts

In the face of mounting pressure, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made the critical decision to take selection control from Test captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie.

Aqib Javed, appointed to the revamped selection committee alongside Aleem Dar and Azhar Ali, made bold calls, including dropping established stars like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi in favor of veteran domestic performers such as Kamran Ghulam, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Zahid Mehmood. These changes breathed new life into the team, allowing Pakistan to clinch the series in dramatic style.

Pakistan's Kamran Ghulam scored a century on his Test debut in Multan.PCB

Kamran Ghulam made an immediate impact, scoring a debut century in the second Test, proving that he was more than capable of filling the gap left by Babar Azam. Meanwhile, Sajid and Noman took control with the ball, dominating the English batters on pitches tailored to favor spin.

The selection of these experienced players, including the 38-year-old Noman, showed the importance of skills and experience over age, a reminder that Pakistan cricket can still lean on veteran talents.

The role of spin in Pakistan’s revival

After losing the first Test, Pakistan’s selectors recognized the need to leverage home advantage by preparing spin-friendly conditions. The Multan pitch for the second Test—reused from the previous match—was slow and cracked, ideally suited for Pakistan’s spin pair, Sajid and Noman.

Using the same pitch for two consecutive Tests in Multan was an unusual strategy, rarely seen in cricket. However, with the experienced ICC umpire Aleem Dar on the selection committee and actively involved in decisions, Pakistan likely found it simpler to validate that reusing the pitch for the second Test was fully within regulations.

This bold move to stick with the same pitch paid off, allowing Pakistan to level the series decisively. Sajid and Noman capitalized on the conditions, collectively taking all 20 English wickets and wreaking havoc on England’s batting lineup.

The Rawalpindi Test was the peak of Pakistan’s new strategy. England, who started the third day on 24-3, were dismantled for 112 as Noman took 6-42 and Sajid 4-69.

Harry Brook and Joe Root started confidently on day three, but Brook's edge off Noman triggered an England collapse, losing seven wickets for 46 runs.

Ben Stokes’ lapse in judgment, choosing not to play a shot and falling lbw to Noman, along with Jamie Smith's reckless charge at Sajid, were especially poor decisions. Root's dismissal for 33, edging Noman, dashed England's remaining hopes.

The two spinners' performance highlighted their ability to exploit conditions to Pakistan’s benefit, ending England’s innings before lunch.

This relentless spin attack was especially devastating for England, marking the lowest Test total they had ever recorded in Pakistan. It also exemplified how Pakistan’s shift to using slow, dry pitches had successfully nullified England’s aggressive batting approach.

Learning from the past

The turnaround wasn’t solely dependent on the new players; it was a result of a calculated mix of young talent and experienced heads. Azhar Ali, another addition to the selection committee, had been part of Pakistan’s successful campaigns against England on spin-friendly tracks in the UAE during the early 2010s. His experience contributed to the strategic decisions that shaped Pakistan’s winning approach. The revival of the spin strategy echoed the tactics used by former Pakistan sides, including those under Misbah-ul-Haq’s captaincy, that relied heavily on spin to counter England’s strengths.

Captain Shan Masood, previously criticized for his team’s losing streak, found himself on the brink after the first Test. But he adapted quickly, taking a backseat in selection decisions and focusing on tactical adjustments on the field. This willingness to change course proved crucial for Pakistan, as Masood’s captaincy helped the team navigate the new playing conditions and the shift in lineup.

In the final Test, he led Pakistan with composure, guiding them to chase down the meagre target of 36 with ease as he adopted an aggressive approach, scoring 23 off just six balls, which included four fours and a six to complete the chase.

This series win held historical significance for Pakistan, as it marked a turning point in the team’s home performance and echoed the country's enduring cricketing legacy. Remarkably, October 26 – the day Pakistan sealed the series – is also the anniversary of Pakistan’s first-ever Test victory over India in 1952. Then, a mix of young and old Pakistan team, led by Abdul Hafeez Kardar, had secured a historic win in only their second Test match.

The triumph over England in 2024 serves as a reminder of Pakistan cricket’s resilience and ability to learn from its past. After being whitewashed by Bangladesh earlier and suffering defeat in the first Test in Multan, in which they lost despite scoring over 550 runs, Pakistan was in desperate need of a transformation. This series showed that the team could thrive with a blend of youth and experience, adapting to challenging circumstances and putting faith in players who had been consistently performing in domestic cricket.

Road ahead

The decision to focus on domestic performers was also a vote of confidence in Pakistan’s premier first-class competition, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The timing couldn’t have been more fitting, as the series win coincided with the start of this prestigious tournament. It demonstrated that Pakistan could build a strong Test side by nurturing local talent and promoting players with substantial domestic experience.

Pakistan’s strategic shift to spin-friendly pitches may offer a short-term solution for home games, but the upcoming two-match Test series in South Africa will present a new challenge where spin will be less effective on pace-friendly tracks.

Domestic pace bowlers like Khurram Shehzad, Mir Hamza, and Aamer Jamal, who impressed in Australia last year, may prove valuable on South African pitches. Relying on domestic performers again could serve Pakistan well as they face this daunting tour.