Desperate measures bring Pakistan a moment of salvation

Pakistan's victory was their first at home in Tests since February 2021

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

There are few scenarios that can send you into an existential crisis more than conceding 823 runs in an innings, as happened to Pakistan in the first Test defeat by England.

They'd had six losses on the bounce and a winless run at home stretching to 11 games.

Another series defeat at the hands of England loomed. Something had to change.

Well, quite a lot changed.

Dropping their three best players in batter Babar Azam and fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, even if they were out of form, was bold.

It was described as them being rested but the message was clear. Pakistan's last Test series win came in July 2023 in Sri Lanka. Babar, Shaheen and Naseem were not going to win Test matches. At least not right now.

Then who would?

Pakistan's latest selection committee opted to go heavy on spin. Very heavy - seven spin options in total.

And then there was the decision to use the same surface for back-to-back Tests at Multan.

Among followers of Pakistan cricket there was pessimism and, perhaps worse, indifference.

Yet four days later, the unthinkable has happened. Pakistan have won a Test at home, beating England by 152 runs to set up an intriguing series decider in Rawalpindi.

All 20 England wickets were taken by Pakistan spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali

Fans rejoiced. After enduring what seemed like an endless spiral, there was a moment of salvation in Multan.

They had somewhat unlikely heroes to thank.

Saijd, a 31-year-old off-spinner from Peshawar who took match figures of 9-204 - more England wickets than the entire team managed in the first Test.

He is a man from humble upbringings, an orphan who pawned mobile phones and repaired bats for a living, who has become an inspiration for 260 million people.

Then there is the 38-year-old, perpetually smiling, slow left-armer Noman Ali, who claimed 11-147.

Between them they took all 20 opposition wickets - only the seventh time this has happened in Tests and first since 1972. The feat is all the more remarkable given neither featured in the first Test.

There was a century on debut from 29-year-old Kamran Ghulam, who has had to wait a long time for his opportunity.

Laden with the burden of replacing Babar, he batted beautifully on a difficult surface, laying the foundation on which Pakistan would build their victory.

The literal foundation, the used surface, was always a gamble from Pakistan.

Had it not worked out, it would have looked a foolish and kneejerk reaction to yet another embarrassing loss.

But it did work out. And for now, the selectors, the curator and the pitch management can feel justifiably smug.

There was outrage about the three big omissions but one can't argue with the result of the selections.

However, it's unlikely to be a sustainable model for Pakistan.

You can't play on used pitches every game. And you certainly can't go all-out spin in all conditions.

At some point, Babar, Shaheen and Naseem will all be back in Pakistan colours.

It's unclear how Pakistan cricket moves forward from this moment. It could just be a one-off.

But for now, it has broken their winless run and provided an opportunity for Pakistan fans to revel.

They've waited long enough, haven't they?