England’s daring style of cricket earned them more accolades as they became the first test team to complete a 3-0 sweep in Pakistan with an eight-wicket victory in the third and final match in Karachi. After restricting Pakistan to 216 in the second innings, the tourists easily chased down a target of 167 to claim their third straight series victory after victories in Rawalpindi and Multan England had only won two tests in Pakistan prior to the tour, and it was their first series victory in the country since 2000-2001.
England’s historic complete swept Pakistan in the Test
England got off to a flying start thanks to an opening partnership of 87 between Zac Crawley (41) and Ben Duckett (82 not out), while all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, promoted to number three, made 10 runs before losing his off-stump on Monday. On day three, Ahmed put England in command after becoming the youngest bowler in men’s test history to take a five-wicket haul on debut. Duckett and captain Ben Stokes (35 not out) returned to the crease, and their 73-run partnership propelled England over the finish line on day four’s morning session.
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England has made significant progress under Stokes and new head coach Brendon McCullum, whose high-risk, high-reward ‘Bazball’ style has resulted in nine wins in ten tests. Prior to the leadership change, England had a miserable run of one win in 17 tests. Stokes described England’s first test tour of Pakistan since 2005 as “perfect. We have a process we want to follow, but the challenge has been the different pitches for each test,” he added. “We stuck to our game plans and adjusted well.
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The dedication and mindset have been outstanding. It all boils down to the belief that I and the other ten guys have. That resonates with everyone, and everyone’s confidence inspires me to be more confident in myself. After scoring 111 in the first innings in Karachi, Harry Brook was named Player of the Match and Series.
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It was his third century in as many matches. This is probably my best tour so far,” Brook said. Pakistan captain Babar Azam said his team played well in parts but couldn’t maintain the pressure long enough. We weren’t good enough to fight back, but England played really well,” he said. We lost back-to-back wickets in the first innings; we were good in patches but not for longer periods, and that cost us.
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