England crashed to a thumping series defeat against Pakistan after being knocked over with embarrassing ease on the third morning of a one-sided decider in Rawalpindi.
They imploded for just 112 as their resolve evaporated in the third Test, the lowest total of the ‘Bazball’ era leaving the hosts a meagre target of just 36.
Pakistan knocked off a nine-wicket win in disdainful fashion, taking just 19 balls and finishing with a huge six from captain Shan Masood, leaving England to stomach losing a three-match series from 1-0 up for the first time.
It already seems an age ago that England racked up a massive 823 for seven declared on a flat deck in Multan, their highest score in 94 years, and it has taken extreme spinning conditions to produce such a dramatic change.
The manner in which Pakistan have artificially aged the last two pitches with fans, heaters and perhaps even rakes has raised eyebrows but back-to-back thrashings against a side who had not won a home Test, let alone a series, since early 2021 still represents a significant setback.
Once again Pakistan’s spin duo of Sajid Ali and Noman Ali were the destroyers, sharing all 10 wickets and taking their combined tally to 39 from 40 since being recalled for the second Test. Only a solitary scalp from Zahid Mahmood spoiled their prospects of a full house.
Yet England were manifestly not up to task, with skipper Ben Stokes aptly ending his innings on his knees after being trapped lbw offering no stroke.