England whitewash Pakistan on home soil

Picture source - Getty Images

England won the third and final match by eight wickets on Tuesday in Karachi, becoming the first test team to sweep all three matches in Pakistan.

England successfully chased down a score of 167 to add to their victories in Rawalpindi and Multan after restricting Pakistan to 216 in the second innings.

England got off to a fast start thanks to an 87-run opening partnership between Zak Crawley (41) and Ben Duckett (82 not out), but Crawley was eventually bowled by Abrar Ahmed.

However, a 73-run partnership between skipper Ben Stokes and Duckett during the morning session of day four secured the victory.

England all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, who was moved up to number three, made 10 runs before the leg spinner lost his off-stump.

Babar Azam scored 54 and Saud Shakeel, 53, but Pakistan succumbed to a spin-friendly National Stadium pitch, losing their final seven wickets for just 52 runs.

Taking his first three wickets in just 17 deliveries, Rehan Ahmed followed up on fellow spinner Jack Leach’s morning session total of three from six deliveries.

Earlier, top-order veteran Azhar Ali was prevented from having a spectacular career ending that spanned 97 Tests and 7,142 runs. After 12 years as a dependable member of the squad, Azhar finally left the field with his stumps broken.

The England players applauded as Azhar limped back to the changing rooms while Pakistan’s players lifted their bats at the boundary for a formal guard of honor.