Pak vs Eng: Pakistan's spinners create Test history

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Web Desk
Pakistans Abrar Ahmed (3L) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Englands Ollie Robinson (not pictured) during the third day of the second cricket Test match between Pakistan and England at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on December 11, 2022.
Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed (3L) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Ollie Robinson (not pictured) during the third day of the second cricket Test match between Pakistan and England at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on December 11, 2022.

For the first time in Pakistan's cricket history, the team Saturday used spinners in the first two overs of a match during the third Test match against England in the Karachi National Stadium.

In the third game of the three-match Test series, spinners Abrar Ahmed and Nauman Ali bowled the first two overs.

Earlier in the day, England spinners Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed shared six wickets between them Saturday as Pakistan were dismissed for 304 on the opening day of the third and final Test in Karachi.

Leach grabbed 4-140 while teenager Ahmed finished with 2-89 after Pakistan won the toss and batted on a slow turner at the National Bank Cricket Arena.

For Pakistan, skipper Babar Azam top scored with 78 and Agha Salman made 56.

In reply, England lost Zak Crawley in the very first over of the innings for a duck with Abrar Ahmed striking for Pakistan. At stumps, the visitors were 7-1 and trailed by 297 runs.

England, on their first Test tour to Pakistan since 2005, lead the series 2-0 after winning the first match by 74 runs in Rawalpindi and the second by 26 in Multan.

The tourists made two changes from the last Test, bringing in wicketkeeper Ben Foakes and Rehan Ahmed in place of James Anderson and Will Jacks.

Rehan, at 18 years and 126 days, becomes the youngest player to debut for England, beating Brian Close´s record of 18 years and 149 days set in 1949.

Senior Pakistan batter Azhar Ali, who on Friday announced the Karachi Test would be his last, is one of four changes in the home side.

Shan Masood, Mohammad Wasim Junior and Nauman Ali also come in, while Imam-ul-Haq (injured), Mohammad Nawaz, Zahid Mahmood and Mohammad Ali were left out. Wasim, 21, is playing his first Test.