New Zealand and Pakistan register historic Test series wins over India and England, respectively, on Saturday. While New Zealand took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, following their big win in the second Test in Pune, Pakistan recovered from a defeat in the series-opener to clinch the series 2-1. It was New Zealand’s first away series win over India, who last faced a series defeat at home back in 2012 when the Alastair Cook-led England prevailed with the same scoreline.
With the win, New Zealand jumped from 5th to 4th in the current World Test Championship (WTC) points table. They have a PCT of 50. India’s lead at the top of the WTC points table has reduced significantly after the loss. They now have a PCT of 62.82 while 2nd placed Australia’s PCT is 62.50.
Similarly, the win in Rawalpindi also saw Pakistan gain a place in the WTC points table. They are now seventh in the nine-team table with a PCT of 33.33, while England (PCT: 40.79) remained sixth.
Sri Lanka sit third with a PCT of 55.56.
The triumph in Rawalpindi, which is Masood’s first series win as captain, is particularly impressive given Pakistan’s decision to shake up their squad, benching Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi, and instead bringing in Sajid and Noman.
The strategic shift to dry, turning pitches proved crucial in unleashing their spinners, and the sin duo dominated throughout the series, capturing 39 of the 40 English wickets.
This decisive turnaround for Pakistan came after a rough patch of six consecutive Test losses and an 11-match winless streak at home. This was Pakistan first Test series win at home in almost three years.
(With IANS Inputs)
