Jasprit Bumrah’s Workload Debate: Balwinder Singh Sandhu Criticizes Modern “Workload

Pakistan’s Stunning Victory in Multan: Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam Praise Team’s Heroics
Pakistan’s Stunning Victory in Multan: Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam Praise Team’s Heroics
In a remarkable turn of events, Pakistan secured a commanding victory over England in the 2nd Test in Multan, winning by 152 runs on October 18. This victory not only broke Pakistan’s 11-match losing streak at home in Test cricket but also marked the first win under the leadership of Shan Masood. The team’s performance drew praise from rested stars Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam, who congratulated the squad for their exceptional display on the field.
Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, who had been rested for the 2nd and 3rd Tests, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to acknowledge the brilliance of Pakistan’s spinners, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. Afridi highlighted their crucial role in sharing all 20 England wickets between them, securing a much-needed victory for Pakistan. Shaheen also commended Kamran Ghulam for his outstanding debut, as he scored a century in his very first Test appearance, replacing Babar Azam in the squad. In his tweet, Shaheen expressed his admiration for the team, writing, “Fantastic win at home! Congratulations to Pakistan. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were exceptional, along with a dream debut for Kamran Ghulam and a massive contribution from Salman Ali Agha. Keep it going, Inshallah!”
Captain Babar Azam, also rested for the last two Tests, echoed Afridi’s sentiments, praising the team for their collective effort. The absence of key players like Babar and Afridi had initially raised concerns about Pakistan’s chances, but the team’s bold selection paid off handsomely.
Pakistan’s Spin Duo Steal the Show
Pakistan’s decision to rely heavily on spin paid off when Noman Ali and Sajid Khan dominated the game. Sajid led the charge in the first innings, taking seven wickets, while Noman played a supporting role. However, it was the fourth day that truly belonged to Noman Ali, who delivered a career-best performance. His sensational figures of 8/46 helped dismantle England’s batting lineup, earning him a place in Pakistan’s cricketing history as the left-arm spinner with the best-ever figures in Test cricket for the country.
The spinners’ achievements were even more impressive considering they became only the seventh bowling pair in Test cricket history to take all 20 wickets in a match. The last time this feat occurred was in 1972, when Australia’s Bob Massie and Dennis Lillee destroyed England’s lineup at Lord’s. Noman and Sajid’s effort will be remembered as one of Pakistan’s most dominant spin performances in Test cricket.
Kamran Ghulam’s Dream Debut
Adding to Pakistan’s triumph was the sensational debut of Kamran Ghulam, who became the 13th Pakistani to score a century in his debut Test match. At 29, Ghulam’s century made him the second-oldest Pakistani debutant to achieve the feat after Abid Ali in 2019. His hundred provided stability to Pakistan’s batting and set the foundation for a commanding victory.
Pakistan’s gamble of fielding only one pace bowler, Aamer Jamal, paid off, as the spinners led by Noman and Sajid compensated for Shaheen Afridi’s absence. With this historic victory in Multan, Pakistan has not only regained confidence but also demonstrated their ability to shine under pressure.
This win marks a new chapter in Pakistan cricket, giving the team a much-needed boost ahead of future matches.
image credit: www.indiatoday.in
read also: South Africa Stuns Australia to Reach T20 World Cup Final