ENG vs PAK 3rd Test: England overshadowed Pakistan in the third and final Test match of the series to register a scintillating whitewash at the National Stadium in Karachi here on Tuesday. With this, Pakistan has been likely eliminated from the race for the World Test Championship Final in 2023. Australia, India, and South Africa will now battle it out for the ultimate positions in the standings.
Pakistan had been highly underperforming in the three-match Test series. England was stubborn and decisive in its approach to the heavyweight Test series. The European Giants had toured Pakistan after a brief period of 17 years. England’s stance on leadership change has truly been yielding handsome results.
The Third and Final test in Karachi saw no oppressive approach from Pakistan. They were outnumbered by England right from the start. Winning the toss yet again, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam made an unfortunate decision to bat first.
Pakistan scored a decent total of 304 runs in the first innings, thanks to the opulent knocks of Babar (78) and Salman (56). Spinners Jack Leach (4/140) and Rehan Ahmed (2/89) were the trailblazers for England who stole the show in their bowling attack.
The ‘bazball team’ swept the series by 3-0
England retaliated to Pakistan’s show in an electrifying manner. Backed on heroic knocks of Harry Brook (111) and Ben Foakes (64), England powered a 354-run total in their first innings to grab a 50-run lead. Nauman Ali (4/126) and Abrar Ahmed (4/150) bowled consistently to scalp the vital wickets for their side.
Pakistan lost control of the match in the second innings. The hosts were bundled out for a mere total of 216 runs after a stupendous bowling performance by debutant Rehan Ahmed (5/48). Babar Azam (54) and Saud Shakeel (53) displayed stiff resistance but their efforts weren’t enough as England needed only 170 runs to win the match.
England had already gathered 112 runs by the Stumps on Day 3. Coming to bat on Day 4, England needed only 55 runs to seize the game. Ben Duckett (82)* and Ben Stokes (35)* took the crease at the start of the day’s play and remained unbeaten to script a famous 8-wickets victory. Abrar Ahmed (2/78) was the only Pakistani bowler to grab wickets in the fourth innings.
ENG vs PAK 3rd Test: Man of the Match
Harry Brook has been awarded the Man of the Match for his blistering 111-run knock.
