On it the first day of the third Test between Pakistan and England At Rawalpindi on 24 October 2024, England were bowled out for 267 in their first innings. In reply, Pakistan ended the day at 73/3, trailing by 194 runs after 23 overs. I saw exceptional bowling on the day Sajid Khanand took six wickets Jamie Smith’s 89 run knock was a great performance for England
England’s weakening opening partnership
England’s innings began on a shaky note, much like their opener Zach Crawley and Ben Duckett He shared a modest stand of 56 runs. Crawley looked comfortable at first but was dismissed for 29 after failing to convert his start. Sajid’s spell changed the game as he soon dismantled England’s top order. Ollie Pope, Joe Root and Harry Brooke all fell cheaply, leaving England in serious trouble at 98/5. Duckett, strong as he was, could not go on much longer and fell before his feet Noman Ali after reaching his half-century, he smashed England’s middle order.
Jamie Smith’s Fierce Battle
Amidst the ruins of England’s crumbling innings, Jamie stood tall, producing a brilliant knock of 89 runs from 119 balls. His innings featured five boundaries and six powerful sixes that showcased both grit and aggression. Smith formed an important partnership Gus Atkinsonwhose sick 39 helped stabilize England’s batting. The pair added 105 valuable runs for the seventh wicket together, lifting England from the brink of disaster and past the 200-run mark. Smith’s resistance finally ended then Zahid Mahmoud trapped him, but his efforts gave England a general battle.
Sajid Khan’s bowling masterclass
Pakistan spinner Sajid produced the best performance of his career and took 6/128 to dismantle England’s batting order. He bowled with sharp accuracy, using subtle variations and the spinning Rawalpindi pitch. Sajid’s constant pressure on the England batsmen led to regular breakthroughs, particularly in the middle and lower order, and ensured that England were unable to form partnerships. Noman was a valuable partner in the bowling attack, picking up three wickets, while Zahid claimed the last dismissal to wrap up England’s innings.
Also WATCH: Muhammad Rizwan mocks Harry Brook as England take on Pakistan
Steady but shaky response from Pakistan
In reply, Pakistan’s batting faced early setbacks as they started their innings cautiously. Abdullah Shafiq was the first to be trapped lbw by the debutant Shoaib Bashir for 14. Saim Ayub followed soon after, caught by Joe Root off Jack Leach 19 for, further halting Pakistan’s progress. Gus Atkinson’s sharp performance was lost Kamran Ghulam a total of 3 leaves Pakistan in a worrying position at 73/3. Roots, captain Shan Massoud (16*) and Saud Shakil (16*) left to rebuild, Pakistan still trailing by a significant margin but hoping to recover on Day 2.
Here’s Twitter’s reaction:
5️⃣ for Sajid Khan! 👏
The off-spinner has his third Test five-rib ✨#PAKvENG | #Test at Home pic.twitter.com/8qs7SJ1bks
– Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 24, 2024
5 more wickets for Sajid Khan. 3rd in Minor Test career. Eska left hand use nhi hta blah blah.
The issue was not the players, but the pitches. You trusted them, they gave you money, but a person in the communication box is not ready to accept.
📸 MORE HERMIT#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/ZVtepmiU1h
– Ahmer Najeeb Satti (@AhmerNajeeb) October 24, 2024
Another exciting day’s game in an exciting series in Pakistan. England are slightly ahead for me, but Pakistan can certainly fight with the upper hand. It feels like we’re going to get a thrilling finale to what appears to be the series. Bring it to day 2 #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/MERNjh0ymH
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) October 24, 2024
115/6 and 267 from England and now Pakistan 61/3 🤣🤣
Total lack of strategy to score 40 overs with Sajid Khan and Noman Ali.
Aamer Jamal was NOT GIVEN ONE. Here, Gus Atkinson took the wicket of Kamran Ghulam.#pakweng #pakvseng
— Emperor Tiffin (@Yash_Dhawan_) October 24, 2024
🏴 ENGLAND’S INCORPORATED ORDER FALLS IN THE FIRST EVENING OF THE THIRD TEST SERIES AGAINST PAKISTAN, PUT TO 110 FOR 5.
Facing the dominant spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali in Multan, England, the spinners once again struggled with spin.
The pressure is on as they… pic.twitter.com/2vLc5WvpZx
— João Neves (@jon_snow_pt) October 24, 2024
Sajid Khan…
Maza aya… Test match mh b…
But what a holiday it is..beautiful pic.twitter.com/kH4yJwqRvi— Sumee Khan (@sheenmaharin) October 24, 2024
Amusingly, only the spinners bowled for Pakistan today. Nice job by them with Sajid Khan once again leading the way.
Great shot by Jamie Smith.
— Saba S. Sheikh (@sabassheikh) October 24, 2024
Sajid Khan took 6 wickets in Rawalpindi where spinners dominate
England were all out for 267 in the first innings 🏏 pic.twitter.com/R8EEr6kTFV
— Raina🍁 (@Rainaa_71) October 24, 2024
Jamie Smith is the truth. I wish I could have seen this beating – too bad he didn’t raise his voice. Serious player
— Tony Steele (@tds122) October 24, 2024
Know what Ben Foakes has brought to the team, but it was his inability to play at a lower level in India earlier this year. Jamie Smith has been a revelation
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) October 24, 2024
A really good day for England at the end.. I can’t see how this pitch can improve so last week’s toss is so important.. Jamie Smith is labeled as the new Gilchrist in 8 Tests.. no finer compliment.. #PAKvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 24, 2024
What Jamie Smith does better than anyone else is cricket.
— Cameron Ponsonby (@cameronponsonby) October 24, 2024
Day 1, Roots
Pakistan: 73/3, trailing by 194 runs 🏏#cricket #PAKvENG #shoaibbashir #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/5kg4hrnfEu
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 24, 2024
