Sajid Khan opens up about friendly banter with Joe Root; shares strategy behind Harry Brook's wicket

Pakistan's off-spinner Sajid Khan made a sensational comeback to the Test arena, setting a new record at the Multan Cricket Stadium in the ongoing second Test against England.

The 31-year-old delivered a match-defining performance with the ball, taking 7 wickets for 111 runs in 26.2 overs against England in the second Test of the ongoing three-match Test series in Multan.

Sajid Khan records best bowling figures in Multan

Sajid Khan’s remarkable spell has overtaken Abrar Ahmed's previous record at the Multan Cricket Stadium, registering the best bowling figures at the venue. Abrar had registered figures of 7/114 against England at Multan back in 2022.

⭐ 7️⃣-1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣ ⭐

Best bowling figures at Multan Cricket Stadium 🥇#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/hOFYdtIkwU

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 17, 2024

After spending over nine months out of the Pakistan Test squad, Sajid Khan’s return proved to be crucial as he dismantled England’s strong batting line-up almost single-handedly.

His stunning efforts came at a crucial moment, as Pakistan sought to bounce back against England after a heavy defeat in the first Test, where they lost by an innings and 47 runs in Multan.

Sajid Khan makes the most of the spinning surface in the second Test against England

Pakistan had decided to use the same surface used in the first Test for the second Test and offered plenty of help to the spinners, and Sajid seized the opportunity with both hands. After Pakistan put up 366 runs in their first inning, England cruised at 120/1 in just 23 overs.

And then, Sajid's magic began by cleaning bowled Ollie Pope (29) with a stunning delivery, and it sparked a dramatic collapse. The off-spinner went on to claim the key wickets of Joe Root (34), Ben Duckett (114), and Harry Brook (9) to reduce England to 225/5 and swing the momentum back in Pakistan’s favor.

Sajid Khan then gave a fiery sendoff to Brydon Carse for just 4 runs, followed by Matthew Potts (6) and Shoaib Bashir (9) to finish with the best bowling figures at Multan Cricket Stadium. Following his brilliant bowling efforts against England, the off-spinner has opened up about his dream wicket.

Sajid Khan opens up about his dream wicket of Joe Root

Pakistan revealed that he told Joe Root, who scored a double ton in the first Test, that he played against his brother in county cricket, but he is a dream wicket. However, the former England captain laughed at him, but Sajid had the last laugh, as he cleaned bowled him to take his dream wicket.

Sajid Khan said after the end of the day’s play in Lahore: “As soon as Joe Root came to bat, I told him I’ve played against your brother in England, but you are my dream wicket, so he started laughing. But that was my dream and most prized wicket today.”

Sajid Khan: “As soon as Joe Root came to bat, I told him I’ve played against your brother in England, but you are my dream wicket, so he started laughing. But that was my dream and most prized wicket today.”#PAKvENG | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/dEJEs6oGcO

— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) October 16, 2024

Sajid Khan reveals how he planned Harry Brook's wicket

He also opened up about his plan to remove the triple centurion of the last game in Multan—Harry Brook. Sajid revealed: “I saw his innings in the last match. So, he plays a little on the back foot. Because he gets time. Like Muhammad Yusuf used to play. He used to take a lot of time and then play. And Brook also plays on the back foot.

But there was a little page on the off stump. So, as soon as he played the first ball, I talked to Abdul Razzaq Bhai. If he goes like this again, then I will out him. He said, No problem, but you have to get rid of him today. We went on with the same plan, and Allah blessed us.”

Sajid Khan had the equation solved for Harry Brook 🫣 pic.twitter.com/5iBsUI0t2w

— CricWick (@CricWick) October 16, 2024