This youngest legspinner Rehan Ahmed took five-wicket on his debut and put England on the brink of a historic 3-0 sweep in its first test tour to Pakistan in 17 years.
Pakistan’s batters crumbled for 216 in the second innings of the third and final test as the 18-year-old Ahmed grabbed 5-48 and Jack Leach (3-72) claimed all three of his wickets in the space of six deliveries on Day 3 to leave England a modest target of 167 runs.
Ben Duckett (50 not out) and Zak Crawley (41) motored England to 112-2 by stumps with their aggressive “Bazball” brand of batting — named after their coach Brendon McCullum.
After last week's exciting 26-run victory in Multan, England requires an additional 55 runs to secure its second consecutive victory in four days. In Rawalpindi, England won the first test by 74 runs in fading light on the final day on a flat pitch.“I just try to enjoy it as much as I could,” said Ahmed, who became the youngest England cricketer to make his debut at the age of 18 years, 126 days. “This feels like the happiest day of my life … I still don’t think it has sunk in yet, but yes I am very, very grateful.”