Dismal England suffer series defeat as Pakistan battle for third Test win | Pakistan vs England 2024

A series that began with England breaking records ended with England simply being broken. Where they had to fight they faltered, where the situation called for strength they surrendered as Pakistan claimed a nine-wicket win and a 2-1 series win in Rawalpindi.

A morning session that was meant to be an opportunity for them to hunker down and fight for the game, and their reputation turned into a pathetic procession, first because of the batsmen out as England limped to a dismal total of 112, and then because of of boundaries as Pakistan approached their ridiculous target of 36 in three overs and one ball.

England were 53 behind at the start of the game, three wickets had already fallen, but two batters on the sidelines also had a combined lead of 454 just two games ago, albeit on a very different surface and in a very different world. This time they barely managed to get 10% of the total and for the tourists it was the best thing ever. After Harry Brook was dismissed, the innings collapsed completely; England managed to add just 88 to their overnight score, with their last seven wickets totaling just 49.

They did manage to take a Pakistan wicket, but that only allowed Shan Masood to turn up for a cameo that was dismissive to the point of contempt. Needing 22 points, he hit his first four balls for four, his fifth for a single and his sixth for six. From six balls, he scored 70% of the boundaries England managed in the 224 balls that comprised the second innings.