Ben Stokes’s side may need to go back to basics after spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan exposed a lack of focus
The sun was only just coming up in England when the last wicket went down in Pakistan. Jack Leach was deftly stumped by Mohammad Rizwan as he came galumphing down the pitch to swing and miss at a wide, of all things. Noman Ali had bowled the ball out there deliberately, fast and flat after he saw Leach coming.
It was a simple trick, like an uncle bewitching his nephew by pretending to tug off his thumb. England had a pyrrhic lead of 35 at the time, and on television Ramiz Raja lost the run of himself and prematurely called a famous victory for Pakistan.
Written by Andy Bull
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/oct/26/cricket-england-test-stuck-spin-cycle-reality-check-pakistan-ben-stokes under the title “England need to reset after Pakistan’s dynamic spin duo offer reality check | Andy Bull”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
