England captain Ben Stokes was pinned lbw for yet another low score after a shocking leave on day three of the Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan.
At the start of the day, left-arm spinner Noman removed Harry Brook for a 40-ball 26, reducing England to 66-4 in their second innings. Another wicket fell in quick succession, this time of Stokes’, who has only himself to blame for leaving a delivery that had him plumb in front.
Coming from over the wicket, Noman tossed it up, and Stokes pressed forward but, in a moment of brainfade, didn't offer a shot. The ball, pitched just out off stump, came in with the angle, rapping Stokes on his pads. The umpire immediately raised his finger, deeming him out. The England captain asked non-striker Joe Root for a review before returning to the pavilion for a nine-ball three.
With this dismissal, Stokes' concerning numbers in Asia took a further hit, with him averaging 14 in his last 13 innings in these conditions. He has failed to score a fifty in this period with a best of 47.
England were unable to put up a fight as they could only set a target of 36 runs after trailing Pakistan's first innings by 77 runs. Noman finished with 6-42, while his spin partner Sajid Khan picked up 4-69.
Pakistan, who made wholesale changes after their defeat in the first match, clinched a historic home series victory for the first time since winning against South Africa in 2021. Noman and Sajid, both drafted into the squad midway through the series, have been at the forefront of their comeback.
Watch Stokes' dismissal here:
𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬! 🤩
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 26, 2024
Morning troubles for England as Pakistan surge ahead 🏏#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/Q3Px8gZC7z
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