Finally….

After an almost four-year long wait, Pakistan has finally won a home test series, their first since the February 2021 victory against South Africa. This long-awaited win, coming after a whitewash by Bangladesh and a loss to England, has energised fans and silenced critics. In response to rising pressure, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) implemented strategic changes, favouring spin-friendly wickets and young domestic players above well-known names like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Kamran Ghulam impressed with a first century in Multan, while spinners Nouman Ali and Sajid Khan took 39 wickets in the remaining two Tests. Sajid Khan, the ‘Man of the Series’, played through a chin injury that required stitches, but his determination never faltered. He and his teammates’ outstanding performances highlight the necessity of supporting local talent. This triumph highlights the possibility of a plan that looks beyond great names, allowing Pakistan’s cricket base to strengthen.

Moin Ahmed Awan

Kandhkot