A record-breaking five-wicket haul by Rehan Ahmed has left England on the brink of clinching an historic 3-0 series clean-sweep over Pakistan.
The 18-year-old finished with 5-48, making him the youngest leg-spinner to take a five-wicket haul in an innings of a men's Test, as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for 52 runs.
The hosts were bowled out for 216 on Day 3 in Karachi, leaving England a modest victory chase of just 167 runs. And, such is the new attacking mentality now installed under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, the visitors raced to 111-2 at stumps, needing just 55 runs to condemn Pakistan to their first 3-0 whitewash on home turf.
It would also mean England have sealed a memorable series victory in their first test tour to Pakistan in 17 years thanks to a second successive win inside four days following its thrilling 26-run victory at Multan last week.
The tourists won the first Test by 74 runs in dimming light on a remarkable last day on a flat wicket in Rawalpindi.
“Probably the best day of my life again. To get five on my debut is a dream come true. It's great,” said a delighted Ahmed. “Because it was reversing a bit I didn't get used. Stokes just said 'stay ready' like you always have to be but I was enjoying it regardless out there.
“I've bowled better balls and got wickets so just to get Babar Azam out is a dream come true. He's a very good player. [Ollie] Pope has got good hands so it's good the ball went to him. I liked (Mohammad] Rizwan's wicket because I've been working on my leg spin for the last two years. To get one to spin on the other side was great.
“My googly is quite natural. When I started bowling leg spin I could only bowl googly so my leg spin has been a work on, and obviously my googly is as well. Hopefully I get that leg spin spinning more.”
It was the introduction of teenager Ahmed in the afternoon session that helped turn the momentum England’s way.
He broke a 110-run partnership between Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel that had looked to have given Pakistan a lifeline after Jack Leach (3-72) had earlier reduced the host to 54-3.
Ahmed then followed up his key dismissal of Pakistan captain Babar for 54 with two more vital breakthroughs – those of Rizwan (seven) and Saud Shakeel (53) – as Pakistan slumped from 164-3 to 177-6 at tea.
Ahmed then picked up where he left off in the evening session with two more wickets to complete his five-fer as the hosts were bowled out for 216.
Following Ahmed’s efforts, England’s chase started in breathtaking fashion as the required total was rapidly chopped to 80 before Zak Crawley was out lbw having hit 41 runs from as many balls.
Ahmed was sent in at No 3 in an attempt to push the scoring along but he made only 10 before being bowled by Abrar Ahmed, and looked furious with himself, hitting the bat on his way off the field.
Stokes pushed himself up the order to No 4, and played an entertaining innings that included inadvertently launching his bat almost to the feet of the square leg umpire in an attempt to find a boundary for England.
He will begin on Tuesday morning alongside opener Ben Duckett, who cracked an unbeaten 50 off 38 balls.
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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