A Series Defined by Spin and Breakthrough Records
If you blinked, you probably missed a record tumbling during Pakistan’s gripping Test series win against England. Fans in Rawalpindi witnessed something almost unheard-of: Pakistan’s pace bowlers never delivered a single ball as spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali took over the entire workload. It’s not just rare—it’s absolutely historic for any Test on Pakistani soil, and only the second time ever worldwide that a team completely ditched their pace attack for spin throughout a match.
Across the three Tests, Pakistan’s spinners grabbed a jaw-dropping 73 out of the 120 wickets possible. That number’s not just impressive, it sets a new benchmark—no other Test series in Pakistan has ever seen this many wickets fall to spin. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali were relentless, especially in the third and final match. England’s batters might still be finding bits of dust in their pads—Noman ripped through their line-up with figures of 6 for 42 in the second innings and Sajid was right behind with 4 for 69. Together, they ended England’s faint hopes, bundling them for just 112. Imagine not having to worry about a single express bowler thundering in at you—just spin after spin, unrelenting and clever.
Turning Points and New Heroes Emerge
This wasn’t just a stat-padding affair. There were some remarkable standout moments. Sajid’s 6-wicket burst in England’s first innings of the third Test meant that Pakistan always had the upper hand. Noman Ali, meanwhile, delivered the ball of the match—Joe Root, one of the most reliable English batters, was sent back with a sharply turning delivery that’ll be replayed for years. With England crumbling, Pakistan’s batters only needed 36 in the fourth innings, and Shan Masood made sure there were no late dramas, finishing unbeaten on 23.
The series changed the way we look at Test cricket in Asia. The sight of two spinners opening the bowling for Pakistan was a first for the team and showed how tactical shifts (and perhaps a bit of boldness) can break decades-old traditions. For the home crowd, there was a taste of nostalgia and newfound excitement—this was their team’s first home series win since 2021, and it felt earned, not given.
There’s a sense this series could spark a bigger trend. While fast bowlers have often been the poster boys of Pakistani cricket, Rawalpindi has taught everyone that spin isn’t just an option—it’s a weapon, and sometimes the only one you need. Next time these two sides meet, don’t be surprised if you see spinners rolling their arm over on day one—after all, history’s just been rewritten.