Shahid Afridi, Shaheen Afridi react after Pakistan win without Babar Azam in 2nd Test vs England

Pakistan finally tasted some success as they defeated England in the second Test of the three-match Test series at Multan. The Men in Green won this match without Babar Azam, who is one of their biggest match-winners in recent times.

After the win, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and the team's discarded fast bowler Shaheen Afridi shared their reactions. Shaheen Afridi was a part of the first Test but was dropped by the new selection committee for the second and third Tests.

Along with Shaheen Afridi, the new selection committee also dropped Babar Azam and Naseem Shah from the team. All three of them are the most high-profile players of Pakistan but are going through a poor run of form in the recent matches.

Also read: Shakib Al Hasan's Test career over as BCB names his replacement for 1st Test vs SA

"Bigger risks = bigger rewards": Shahid Afridi reacts after Pakistan's win

Shahid Afridi took to social media to express his delight at Pakistan's splendid performance. He noted that the decision to go with a spin-friendly surface worked for Pakistan. The former Pakistan allrounder also congratulated the players for their valuable contributions in the match.

"Bigger risks = bigger rewards! When you cannot prepare wickets to support your fast bowlers, the best strategy was to put trust in your spinners, and this has paid off," Shahid Afridi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Kudos to the Pakistan cricket team, especially Kamran G, Salman Ali, Noman A and Sajid Khan. Look forward to many more triumphs and successes!" he added.

Bigger risks = bigger rewards!

When you cannot prepare wickets to support your fast bowlers, the best strategy was to put trust in your spinners, and this has paid off.

Kudos to the Pakistan cricket team, especially Kamran G, Salman Ali, Noman A and Sajid Khan.

Look forward to… https://t.co/Ca5BOIPKVt

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 18, 2024

Shaheen Afridi congratulates the team on the victory

Shahid Afridi's son-in-law and Pakistan's paceman Shaheen Afridi too congratulated the Men in Green on this win. Shaheen too congratulated the team and the players for this important win at home.

"Fantastic win at home! Congratulations to Pakistan. Noman Ali and Sajid khan were exceptional, along with a dream debut for Kamran Ghulam and massive contribution from Salman Ali Agha. Keep it going, Inshallah!" Shaheen Afridi posted on X.

Fantastic win at home!
Congratulations to Pakistan
Noman Ali and Sajid khan were exceptional, along with a dream debut for Kamran Ghulam and massive contribution from Salman Ali Agha. Keep it going, Inshallah! 🙌🏻🏏

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) October 18, 2024

Pakistan level the series 1-1

Pakistan had plenty of positives in the match. As mentioned by Shahid Afridi above, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Noman Aali, and Sajid Khan all played vital roles in this victory. Ghulam smashed a magnificent hundred in the first innings which enabled the Men in Green to reach a good first-innings total.

Allrounder Salman Ali Agha scored a brilliant half-century in the second innings and continued his good form with the bat. Meanwhile, spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan played the most crucial roles for Pakistan.

Both the spinners combined to pick up all the 20 wickets in the match as Noman picked up 11 wickets and Sajid got the remaining. 9 wickets. While Sajid Khan picked up a seven-wicket haul in the first innings, Noman Ali picked up an eight-wicket haul in the second innings.

It was a comprehensive performance from the home team who finally won after losing three home Tests in a row. The series is now level 1-1 with one more Test to go.