A series that started with England breaking records ended with England simply broken. Where they needed to fight they faltered, where the situation demanded strength they surrendered as Pakistan raced to a nine-wicket win, and 2-1 series success in Rawalpindi.
A morning session billed as a chance for them to hunker down and battle for the game and their reputations became an abject procession, first of departing batters as England limped to the dismal total of 112, and then of boundaries as Pakistan frolicked to their derisory target of 36 in three overs and one ball.
England were 53 behind at the start of play with three wickets already fallen, but also with two batters at the crease who had shared a partnership of 454 just two games ago, albeit on a very different surface and in a very different world. This time they just about managed to get 10% of that total, and for the tourists that was as good as it got. Once Harry Brook was dismissed the innings completely fell apart; England managed to add only 88 to their overnight score, their last seven wickets falling for just 49.
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They did manage to take one Pakistan wicket, but that only allowed Shan Masood to emerge for a cameo that was dismissive to the point of contempt. Coming out with 22 still required he hit his first four balls for four, his fifth for a single and his sixth for six. In six balls, he scored 70% of the boundaries England managed in the 224 that comprised their second innings.
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