Pakistan secured a commanding 152-run victory over England in the second Test at Multan, silencing critics who had questioned their selection decisions. After dropping star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah, Pakistan fielded three replacements who made significant contributions to the win.
Kamran Ghulam, Babar’s replacement, scored a century on his Test debut, while spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali took all 20 England wickets between them. This performance marked Pakistan’s first home victory since February 2021, following 11 consecutive home Tests without a win.
Mohammad Hafeez Criticizes ‘PR Agencies’ Focus
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez took to social media after the victory, targeting those who had criticized the team’s decisions. His controversial tweet, “Surely not PR agencies,” appeared to be aimed at individuals who may have doubted Pakistan’s ability to perform without their star players.
Pakistan cricket need impactful performances like Kamran Ghulam 💯, Salman Agha 50, Sajid khan 9 wickets & Noman Ali 11 wickets for winning cause. Surely not PR agencies……
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 18, 2024
Hafeez highlighted the standout performances of Kamran Ghulam, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Salman Agha, emphasizing that such impactful displays are crucial for Pakistan cricket, not public relations maneuvers. His comments came after Pakistan’s decision to make four changes to the squad, which ultimately paid off handsomely.
Shan Masood’s First Win as Captain
This victory was also significant for Shan Masood, as it marked his first win as Pakistan’s captain since taking over last year. Masood, under immense pressure after a series of poor results, praised his team for showing resilience and character.
He noted that the team had devised a strategy to take all 20 wickets and executed it successfully, showcasing their hunger to win after a long drought.
Masood acknowledged the difficulty of the past few years but celebrated the end of their home winless streak. Pakistan will now head to Rawalpindi for the third and final Test of the series, starting on October 24.
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