PAK Vs ENG : Sajid Khan Outfoxes Joe Root With His Masterful Bowling On Day 1 Of 3rd Test

The third Test between England and Pakistan commenced on October 24, and it didn’t take long for the game to throw up its first major moment of drama. England’s star batter Joe Root once again fell to the spin of Pakistan’s Sajid Khan, a dismissal that has left the English side reeling. After scoring a mere five runs, Root’s struggles on spin-friendly pitches continued, compounding England’s difficulties on Day 1 of the match at Rawalpindi. Sajid, having already troubled Root in the previous Test, struck again with a stunning delivery, leaving England on shaky ground early in the match.

Sajid Khan’s Masterstroke: Dismissing Joe Root with Precision

On Day 1, as England began their innings after opting to bat first, it appeared they were trying to regain momentum following the quick dismissals of Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope. Joe Root arrived at the crease with England’s score at 70/2, and fans hoped the seasoned batter could stabilize the innings. However, Pakistani spinner Sajid Khan had other plans. Sajid, who had already shown his ability to trouble Root in the second Test in Multan, once again demonstrated his mastery over the English batter.

In the 21st over of the innings, Sajid delivered a gem of a ball, one that would prove to be decisive. The ball started wide of the off stump but spun back sharply into Root, who found himself cramped for room while playing deep in his crease. It hit his pads with a loud thud, prompting umpire Chris Gaffaney to raise his finger without hesitation. Root, recognizing the futility of a review, walked back to the pavilion without protest. Ball-tracking technology later confirmed the ball was destined to hit the middle of the stumps, showcasing the precision of Sajid’s delivery.

A Continuation of Root’s Spin Woes

This wicket marked another chapter in Joe Root’s recent struggles on spin-friendly wickets. After a mammoth double century in the series opener, Root’s fortunes have taken a sharp dip as the pitches have begun to favor spin. In the second Test, he managed scores of 34 and 18, unable to counter the sharp turn offered by the Multan surface. His latest dismissal for just five runs is his second-lowest score in Pakistan, and for the first time in 17 innings, Root failed to reach double figures.

The pressure applied by Pakistan’s spinners was evident from the start. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali bowled 24 overs in the first session alone, creating significant difficulties for England’s batters. Sajid’s ability to consistently extract sharp turn and bounce from the Rawalpindi pitch left the English lineup vulnerable, especially given Root’s ongoing struggles against spin.

Pakistan’s Spin Domination in Rawalpindi

Pakistan’s spin attack, spearheaded by Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, showcased their prowess on the spin-friendly wicket of Rawalpindi. Noman Ali, who had been relatively quiet in the early stages of England’s innings, found his rhythm as the session progressed, supporting Sajid Khan in applying relentless pressure on the English top order.

After the fall of Root, Noman delivered another crucial breakthrough by removing Ben Duckett, who was nearing his half-century and appeared to be England’s best hope for rebuilding the innings. Duckett, having played some solid strokes, was deceived by a delivery that turned sharply and caught him off guard, leading to a vital wicket for Pakistan. Noman’s breakthrough highlighted the increasing dominance of spin in the match.

The combination of Sajid and Noman continued to prove England’s undoing as Sajid claimed yet another crucial wicket, this time dismissing Harry Brook for a mere single. With the collapse of the middle order, England, who had looked relatively comfortable early in the day, suddenly found themselves in a precarious position at 110/5 before lunch.

England’s Middle-Order Collapse Under Pressure

England’s batting lineup has often prided itself on its depth and resilience, but against Pakistan’s spinners, they found themselves in deep trouble. The early wickets of Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope had already disrupted England’s momentum, but it was the dismissals of Root and Duckett that truly left them reeling. Sajid Khan’s mastery over Root and Noman Ali’s ability to penetrate the defenses of Duckett and Brook left England’s middle order in tatters.

Despite a promising start to the day, England’s collapse under the pressure of spin laid bare their vulnerability on turning pitches. Ben Duckett had looked in control, navigating the spinners with ease, but once he fell, England’s collapse accelerated. Sajid and Noman’s relentless probing from both ends meant that England’s batters struggled to find any rhythm or partnerships to stabilize the innings.

Sajid Khan: England’s Nemesis

Sajid Khan’s success against Joe Root is no coincidence. The Pakistani off-spinner has developed a reputation for troubling even the most experienced batters on spin-friendly surfaces, and his duel with Root has been one of the highlights of the series. In the second Test in Multan, Sajid dismissed Root in the first innings with a sharply turning ball, and his performance in Rawalpindi suggests that he has Root’s number once again.

Sajid’s ability to deceive Root with flight and turn has been central to Pakistan’s success in stifling England’s progress. His confidence in varying his pace and trajectory has made him a nightmare for England’s batters, who have often been left guessing at the crease. Sajid’s dismissal of Root in Rawalpindi highlights his growing stature as a key figure in Pakistan’s bowling lineup, especially on pitches that offer significant turn.

The Role of Spin in Pakistan’s Success

Pakistan’s strategy of employing spin from both ends with the new ball has been a masterstroke, particularly given the conditions in Rawalpindi. Shan Masood’s decision to open the bowling with Noman Ali and Sajid Khan paid dividends as both spinners found considerable turn and bounce early in the day. This tactic caught England off guard, as their batters struggled to adapt to the challenging conditions.

The decision to rely heavily on spin is reflective of Pakistan’s traditional strength in the department, particularly in home conditions. Both Sajid and Noman have proven to be highly effective, and their ability to create pressure through sustained spin bowling has left England with little breathing room. Pakistan’s spin dominance has been a crucial factor in their success so far in the series, and if Sajid and Noman continue to perform at this level, England will have a hard time mounting any significant resistance.

Looking Ahead: Can England Recover?

At the close of Day 1, England finds themselves in a precarious position. The early loss of key batters, including Joe Root, has left them vulnerable, and with Pakistan’s spinners in fine form, England will need to dig deep to avoid further collapses. Ben Duckett’s dismissal was a significant blow, and the responsibility now falls on the lower-middle order to mount a recovery.

For Pakistan, the challenge will be to maintain the pressure and ensure that England’s lower order does not stage a comeback. Sajid Khan’s stunning delivery to dismiss Root has already set the tone for the match, and if Pakistan can continue to exploit England’s weaknesses against spin, they will be in a strong position to dominate the remainder of the Test.

Sajid Khan’s brilliance with the ball, particularly against Joe Root, has left England on the back foot in the third Test against Pakistan. His ability to turn the ball sharply and his consistent success against Root have been pivotal in Pakistan’s early success. As the match progresses, the battle between Pakistan’s spinners and England’s batters will likely determine the outcome of this crucial Test in Rawalpindi.

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