England crashed to a thumping collection defeat in opposition to Pakistan after being knocked over with embarrassing ease on the third morning of a one-sided decider in Rawalpindi.
They imploded for simply 112 as their resolve evaporated within the third Check, the bottom complete of the ‘Bazball’ period leaving the hosts a meagre goal of simply 36.
Pakistan knocked off a nine-wicket win in disdainful vogue, taking simply 19 balls and ending with an enormous six from captain Shan Masood, leaving England to abdomen shedding a three-match collection from 1-0 up for the primary time.
It already appears an age in the past that England racked up an enormous 823 for seven declared on a flat deck in Multan, their highest rating in 94 years, and it has taken excessive spinning situations to provide such a dramatic change.
The style by which Pakistan have artificially aged the final two pitches with followers, heaters and even perhaps rakes has raised eyebrows however back-to-back thrashings in opposition to a facet who had not received a house Check, not to mention a collection, since early 2021 nonetheless represents a big setback.
As soon as once more Pakistan’s spin duo of Sajid Ali and Noman Ali had been the destroyers, sharing all 10 wickets and taking their mixed tally to 39 from 40 since being recalled for the second Check. Solely a solitary scalp from Zahid Mahmood spoiled their prospects of a full home.
But England had been manifestly less than job, with skipper Ben Stokes aptly ending his innings on his knees after being trapped lbw providing no stroke.
The chances had been already stacked in opposition to the vacationers after shedding their high three in 9 chastening overs the night time earlier than but it surely took some time for England’s gentle underbelly to disclose itself.
Joe Root and Harry Brook took the in a single day deficit down from 53 to 11 earlier than the middle-order carnage started in earnest.
Brook had one scare, clipping a troublesome low probability to short-leg after taking back-to-back fours off Sajid, however for a short interval the Yorkshire pair settled right into a interval of quiet accumulation.
That proved to be the calm earlier than the storm as Brook, Stokes and Jamie Smith all fell earlier than the scores had been even stage.
Brook was executed by a faster, flatter supply from Noman, caught behind as he regarded to attain moderately than defend. It was an error of judgement, however nothing remotely as egregious as the following two.
Stokes got here out with one remaining probability to go away his mark on a collection that has largely handed him by however as a substitute ended his journey with one other disappointment.
With simply three to his title and looking for a foothold in spinning situations which have precipitated him no finish of hassle, the captain formed to dam Noman from over the wicket earlier than inexplicably withdrawing the bat.
The ball drifted on with the arm moderately than turning down leg and pinned Stokes clear in entrance of the stumps. He was left crouched on the ground because the inevitable verdict was delivered, throwing his palms up in despair.
Smith went to the opposite finish of the spectrum, making an attempt to repeat the six-hitting exploits of the primary innings as he danced down the monitor to hit Sajid excessive. He missed by a distance, thrashing throughout the road because the ball darted by means of the gate and into off stump.
Sajid’s impassioned, thigh-slapping celebration reached a brand new excessive as he roared his delight and punched the air, the end result all however assured.
The ultimate piece of the puzzle was Root and he quickly slotted into place. He had largely risen above the calamity on his method to 33 however when Noman tempted him ahead then dragged it away, he couldn’t assist however edge behind.
He took any hopes England had of setting a vaguely aggressive goal with him.
Pakistan picked away on the tail, Gus Atkinson castled by a magnificence from Sajid and Rehan Ahmed bowled spherical his legs seeking to manufacture a sweep.
A horrible innings got here to a fittingly farcical finish when Noman noticed Leach advancing out of his crease and intentionally threw down an enormous large, permitting Mohammad Rizwan to finish the stumping.
England took one wicket with them, Saim Ayub lbw to Leach, however they may not halt the hosts’ dash to victory.
In simply six deliveries on the crease, Masood hit 4 fours and the match-winning six to finish the win in emphatic fashion.
