PAK vs ENG: Rehan’s impactful debut!

Rehan Ahmed, an England leg spinner, took five wickets in his test debut, setting the team up for a comfortable victory over Pakistan on Monday in the third and final test in Karachi.

After winning the first two tests in Rawalpindi and Multan, England needs 55 runs to win the test in two days and become the first test team to complete a 3-0 whitewash in Pakistan.

As wickets fell in groups at the National Stadium, Ahmed’s spin bowling changed the game for Ben Stokes’ team.

The 18-year-old beat Australia’s Pat Cummins’ record for the youngest debutant to score five goals in men’s test history

A stunning haul on Test debut for Rehan Ahmed as he breaks Pat Cummins' record 😯#PAKvENG | #WTC23https://t.co/9z6HtZhS8J

— ICC (@ICC) December 19, 2022

Pakistan were bowled out for 216 in the second innings, setting England a target of 167 after scoring 304 in the first. In their first inning, the visitors struck out 354 times.

Ben Duckett (50 not out) and Zak Crawley (41 not out) got England off to a flying start in their chase. The visitors will start day four at 112-2, with Stokes (10) also at the crease.

In the morning session, spinner Jack Leach took three top-order wickets in six balls before Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel made 110 runs to keep Pakistan in the game.

However, Ahmed was then introduced by Stokes during the afternoon session, and the youngster tore Pakistan’s middle order apart.

Pakistan resumed with a score of 21-0 from the previous day and were 29 runs behind. They lost opener Shan Masood for 24, and Azhar Ali lost for a duck in his final test appearance.

After that, Leach bowled Abdullah Shafique (26) into an lbw trap for his third wicket, and the hosts appeared desperate for a comeback, playing for pride in front of their home crowd.

Babar and Saud’s half-centuries gave Pakistan’s fight some life, but Ahmed took three crucial wickets to stop their revival.

The 18-year-old took his biggest loss when Babar was caught by Ollie Pope in the middle of the field, and Ahmed then bowled a perfect leg-break delivery to bowl out Mohammad Rizwan.

Before Mohammad Wasim, Ahmed’s third victim, Mohammad Wasim was cheered on by his father, who was beaming with joy in the stands.

ALSO READ: PAK vs ENG: ENG needs 55 runs

Ahmed removed Agha Salman to complete his five-wicket haul, leading the England team off the field as he waved the ball around in his hands in celebration.

Additionally, Mark Wood and Joe Root took wickets.