RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Oct 26, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan sealed a memorable 
Test series win as they thrashed England by nine wickets on Saturday after 
Noman Ali and Sajid Khan delivered a spin masterclass.

Noman and Sajid knocked over all 10 England wickets to dismiss the visitors 
for 112 as Pakistan raced to victory in Rawalpindi before lunch on day three 
of the third Test.

Captain Shan Masood hammered five boundaries in six balls, launching Shoaib 
Bashir over the ropes to complete a resounding victory, Pakistan's first home 
Test series win since beating South Africa in February 2021.

It was a measure of revenge for Pakistan, who were whitewashed 3-0 two years 
ago by a rampant England.

"We'd like to dedicate this to the people of Pakistan, who've been through a 
lot," said Masood, who had lost his previous two series -- 3-0 to Australia 
and 2-0 to Bangladesh -- since taking charge last year.

"Hopefully this will put a smile on people's faces, and hopefully we can have 
full houses during matches."

The 2-1 series win appeared improbable after a record-breaking England 
destroyed the hosts in the first Test in Multan by an innings and 47 runs.

That triggered the surprise axing of superstars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah 
Afridi, as well as pacer Naseem Shah.

Replacements Noman and Sajid turned the series on its head, knocking over 39 
wickets between them in the subsequent two Tests.

Pakistan won the second match by 152 runs, also in Multan and, unusually, on 
the same pitch as the first Test in a bid to aid the home spinners.

"The first win came after a long time and it was backed up by a series win. 
It's special," Masood said.

"For everyone to stand up and give their best, it means a lot.

"It's about character. To be here and standing as the winning team, it's the 
most special thing for us."

Noman finished with figures of 6-42 and Sajid 4-69 after England resumed the 
day in trouble on 24-3.

It only got worse for Ben Stokes' men from there and they were dismissed in 
37.2 overs for their lowest total in Pakistan.

England's previous low was 130 in Lahore in 1987.

- 'Disappointing' -

Joe Root top-scored in their feeble second innings with 33 while none of the 
other England batsmen could last long enough to stop Pakistan's charge to 
victory.

"It is disappointing," said Stokes.

"We got thrown some challenges over these last two games and weren't able to 
stand up to them.

"Credit to Pakistan on this win."

England's fate was effectively sealed once Noman dismissed overnight batsman 
Harry Brook, caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan for 26, and had Stokes leg-
before for three.

The usually talismanic England captain once again fell in bizarre fashion, 
offering no stroke to a Noman delivery he judged to be going down the leg 
side and getting struck in front of the stumps.

Stokes, who missed the first Test with a hamstring injury, managed just 53 
runs in four innings.

Sajid made it 75-6, dismissing Jamie Smith, who tried to hit him out of the 
ground only to miss the ball and lose his stumps for three.

Noman completed his sixth five-wicket haul when Root edged a sharp turning 
delivery to Rizwan, quashing all hopes of an England fightback.

Sajid dismissed Rehan Ahmed for seven while Noman wrapped up the innings by 
bowling Jack Leach for 10.

It was just a matter of time after that.

Pakistan suffered a minor hiccup when opener Saim Ayub fell for eight but 
Masood's celebratory six-ball 23 not out sealed the series for the triumphant 
hosts.