Pakistan's Noman Ali (right) celebrates with teammate Sajid Khan after dismissing England's captain Ben Stokes on the fourth day of the second Test cricket match between Pakistan and England at Multan Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2024. — AFP file

Sajid Khan and Noman Ali may be polar opposites, but their partnership was seamless as they dismantled England's batting lineup, securing a long-awaited Test victory for Pakistan. The spin duo claimed all 20 wickets on a deteriorating, turning Multan pitch, resulting in a 152-run triumph. This victory sets the stage for a decisive third Test at Rawalpindi, starting on Thursday, where the winner will take all.

Noman, 38, the senior partner in a duo that has played together in eight Tests, spoke to AFP about their strategy. "We bowled with a lot of confidence and his energy is always very high," Noman said of his partner, off-spinner Sajid. "Our plan was to keep it simple. We knew the England batsmen would attack, so we were not distracted and kept it simple," he explained in written comments to AFP. "This achievement will significantly establish our partnership. To get 20 wickets between us is an honor and it happens very rarely."

This win marks Pakistan's first home victory since they beat South Africa in Rawalpindi three years and eight months ago. Noman achieved a career-best 8-46 as England were all out for 144 while chasing 297 to win. However, it was Sajid who laid the foundation with 7-111 in the first innings, giving Pakistan a crucial 75-run lead. Noman finished with match figures of 11-147 and Sajid with 9-204, becoming the seventh pair of bowlers to take all 20 wickets in a Test, the first since Australia's Dennis Lillee and Bob Massie against England in 1972.

Sajid is known for his dashing appearance on the field, often twirling his meticulously groomed moustache and celebrating wickets with an exuberant thigh slap. "I followed my father in keeping a moustache," Sajid told AFP of his late father, who had served in the military. "(Former Australia batsman) David Warner once said he was frightened of my moustache," he added.

Former Pakistan left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim believes Noman and Sajid complement each other perfectly. "Spin gives us the winning formula which we were not using," said Qasim, who took 171 wickets in 50 Tests for Pakistan. "Noman and Sajid have matured with experience and can continue to deliver home wins like this." It is too early to compare the pair to India's spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who jointly have over 800 wickets.

Thirty-seven years ago, Qasim partnered Tauseef Ahmed for 18 wickets as Pakistan won in Bangalore for a first series win over arch-rivals India. Off-spinner Ahmed, who took 93 wickets for Pakistan, praised the pair's performance against England, noting that Pakistan's new selection committee decided to pick only one seam bowler. "The previous set-up did not have belief in spinners and that's why we were not using our home advantage," said Ahmed. The series finale begins in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

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