Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan took a sly dig at the selectors for ignoring him after his game-changing spell on day two helped the hosts fight back in the second Test against England at Multan.
Sajid handed England some late blows in the last session of day two to give Pakistan the edge in the match. As a result, England slipped from 211-2 to 225-6 in no time. The off-spinner finished the day with 4-86, including the prized scalps of Joe Root (34) and Harry Brook (9), both of whom were the pick of the batters in the first Test.
This was Sajid's first Test appearance since playing against Australia in Sydney earlier this year in January.
Speaking on PCB’s post-match show Pitch Side, Sajid didn't hold back and claimed he was dropped from the squad despite bowling well in his previous outing.
"My performances used to be the best but I was the one to be dropped first. My previous series was against Australia. I bowled well against them at their home ground. Next series, without any reason I was dropped," Sajid said.
Nasser Hussain has been critical of Shan Masood's captaincy during the second Pakistan-England Test.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 16, 2024
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Having made his debut against Zimbabwe in 2021, the off-spinner entered the series with 25 wickets at an average of 38.16 from eight matches. In his previous appearance in Sydney, Sajid picked up 3-122 in a losing cause as Pakistan succumbed to a 0-3 whitewash. He was dropped from the squad thereafter before returning ahead of the second match against England when Pakistan made wholesale changes after losing the series opener. However, Sajid's response was more measured when asked about his comeback at the press conference after the day’s play.
"In Australia, Abrar had an injury and Noman had an operation, so I was called. I played the last match and performed well. Rest is all about luck: last series I didn’t get a chance against Bangladesh but got it in this series. I am trying to perform," Sajid stated.
He added: "Before the Bangladesh series, I was in England to play club cricket for Lancashire. After that, I started preparing for red-ball cricket since Bangladesh was coming but didn’t get a chance in the series. I attended a domestic white-ball camp. I played Champions One-Day Cup for the Panthers but only got an opportunity in the final and was Player of the Match. Then I played departmental one-day. So you must keep yourself ready for white-ball, red-ball or pink-ball cricket. Whenever you get an opportunity, you have to perform."
On day three, England were bundled out for 291 in response to Pakistan’s 366 in the first innings. Sajid picked up three wickets more to finish with 7-111, while Noman also took 3-101 on his return.
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