3rd Test: Pakistan beat England by 127 runs, win series 2-0

Hosts' spin attack ran over the visitors while defending 284 runs

SHARJAH: Pakistan continued their successful home run in the UAE with yet another series win and this time it was England who were on the receiving end.

Pakistan won the three-match series 2-0 with victories in the second and third Test while the first Test was draw.



Muhammad Hafeez's 151 in the second Pakistan innings of the third Test made sure that his team were able to post a significant total of 284 runs for England if they wanted to level the series.

England came in to bat confidently with Moeen Ali offering shots from the start but Shoaib Malik was able to account for him and then Ian Bell in quick succession.



At the end of day four, England were two down for 46 runs and needed another 238 runs on day five with eight wickets in hand.

As day five started, England batsmen were soon seen walking back to the pavilion against right-arm leggie Yasir Shah and left-hand spinner Zulfiqar Zulfiqar until captain Alastair Cook and Adil Rashid showed some resistance. Rashid's off-stump was then rattled by Rahat Ali who swung one in off the pitch.



Stuart Broad came in to see England off to lunch but as the second session started he was caught while sweeping off Yasir, who became the highest wicket-taker (14) of the series with the scalp.

Alastair Cook was joined by injured Ben Stokes but the captain and the new batsman were both stumped as Pakistan won the match by 127 runs and bagged the series 2-0.

Meanwhile, Pakistan jumped up to the second place in the International Cricket Council's Test rankings.

England has dropped to the sixth position after the series loss. South Africa are well-placed on first, Australia are third while India have grabbed the fourth spot in the rankings.

Post-match presentation ceremony

Man of the match Muhammad Hafeez: Happy to convert an innings for the team. I haven't seen so much reverse swing in my life in UAE. I applied my technique. Its great to contribute as a batsman. Its a great win. Credit goes to everyone. We wanted to do well. Series meant a lot for Pakistan. We whitewashed them last time, we wanted to at least win this time.

Man of the series Yasir Shah: I would like to thank Allah first of all. I came back after being unfit but I am happy that I performed well. I worked on my bowling in the nets. Waqar and Mushtaq were very helpful. I had a good session with Warne. I used some of the techniques he taught me. I working on some other tips in the nets.

England captain Alastair Cook: Its a really hard place to come and play in the UAE. At critical moments we couldnt dominate them. We are lucky to Stuart and Jimmy. Losing Ben in this game hurt us. Unfortunately, International cricket is not about learning only and results are also required.

Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq: First of all I would like to thank Almighty Allah. England put up a great fight. Boys performed really well. Yasir came back and made a difference for us. Where ever we needed our fast-bowlers they delivered for us. Shoaib Malik did more than he was required to do. I wish Shoaib best of luck and thank him for his contribution. The next series is after seven-eight months, I have a lot of time to think about leaving or staying.

Here are some reactions to Pakistan's win:

It took until final day of the final Test but Pak at last managed a reprise of Eng's 2012 nightmare against spin https://t.co/e37oW6Xk3W

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 5, 2015

Quality cricket from Pakistan in UAE . Too good for England . Accurate spinners and very experienced... https://t.co/E80iIllwRN

— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) November 5, 2015

Congratulations to Pakistan on the win and rising to 2nd in the Test rankings.

— Saqlain Mushtaq (@Saqlain_Mushtaq) November 5, 2015

Massive congrats 2 Pakistan on 2-0 series win👏 @jimmy9 @StuartBroad8 Cooky & @joeroot05 have been gravy but some work 2 do #Spinners

— Alex Tudor (@alextudorcoach) November 5, 2015

No cricket at home? Doesn't stop Pakistan from rising to 2nd in the Test rankingshttps://t.co/NZl0SzvDUC #ENGvPAK

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 5, 2015

Congrats to Waqar & his team. Tough cricket in tough conditions. #PakvEng

— Mark Ramprakash (@MarkRamprakash) November 5, 2015

Congrats to Team Pakistan.Great victory.Excellent performance by @realshoaibmalik @MHafeez22 & rest of the team. pic.twitter.com/VGRXeswUAy

— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) November 5, 2015

Better Team in those conditions won ... No surprise at all that Pakistans spinners out bowle... #PAKvENG https://t.co/m1qurKIx9l

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 5, 2015

Well played Pakistan to many ?? s in the England side to compete still a valiant effort in alien conditions https://t.co/tMLNAnTFBL

— Phil Tufnell (@philtufnell) November 5, 2015