It had been 17 years. England hadn’t toured on Pakistani soil since 2005. Two sides who have become very different since that era.Both have gone to become WorldT20 champs since but England repeated that feat only weeks before arriving in Pakistan. Pakistan had beaten England twice in their relocated home series of 2012 ( a 3-0 whitewash ) and in 2015, both in UAE.England had only two wins away from home against the Greenshirts in 1961 and 2000 before this series.

You would think the odds would be in the home team’s favour but they were far from it. Earlier in the year, Pakistan lost to Australia despite a series of dead tracks made at home.With two flattening draws, some last test heroics and brave tactics by Pat Cummins got the Greenshirts a final day target as a bait.They capitulated and lost by over a 100 runs.

Ben Stokes ,their English counterpart had similar feelings going into the opening Rawalpindi test on day 4. He braved the benign surface to launch an offensive in the second innings with 343 tasked as a target for the hosts to take the lead. It paid off .For a time when Pakistan were 269/5 and 84 runs in sight of the total, it looked they might have the game. Just like Lahore earlier in this year though they lost five wickets for nine runs and England had their win on a surface that looked like even 10 days won’t yield a result based on the high 1st innings scores. Ollie Robinson starred with four second innings wickets.

In Multan, England again scored briskly but only to be dismissed within 52 overs for 281. Abrar Ahmad on debut took 7.Pakistan were at one stage cruising with 142-2. Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel (who had a surreal breakthrough series ) were comfortable until the evident collapse of 8/60 ended with Pakistan well short and another 79 run lead conceded. England capitalised and scored 275 setting the scene for another 350 plus chase. Pakistan at one stage being 290/5 with Mohammad Nawaz and Saud again at the crease just 65 adrift of the target. Unfortunately both went quickly.Mark Wood took four and the hosts succumbed to 26 run loss. England had won the series on Pak soil. Harry Brook ‘s second innings century took centre stage.

With pride to play for in Karachi as well as Azhar Ali ‘s final test match appearance in the renamed National Bank Cricket Arena,Pakistan won the toss and batted for a change. Their 304 never looked enough though. England took a 50 run lead. Harry Brook had another ton. Abrar and Nauman Ali, the two spinners who took the new ball took 4 each. In the second innings, the hosts were 164/3 at one stage with you know who, Babar and Saud. This time an 18 yr old debutant Rehan Ahmad produced a huge third day evening spell taking a five for on debut.Pakistan again collapsed in a 7/72 fall this time to set a target of just 166. Its considered poor in these lands especially on day 3 Karachi pitch. England knocked off 112 off those on the same evening for the loss of two wickets in 17 overs. They completed the whitewash early on fourth morning needing only 11.1 overs.Ben Duckett who also had a good series scored a brisk 78 ball 82 in the chase.

Pakistan had never been whitewashed at home since 1952 when they entered the test arena.They had clearly not been doing well losing 4 straight home tests in two series. They were clueless on the ill prepared wickets and their bowling hardly had a punch.Rawalpindi had received a second de merit point in nine months for such a poor wicket. There was time lost on all days in Multan and Rawalpindi due to light issues but England’s “Bazball” approach ensured they got the runs fast enough to yield two results.In Karachi, the hosts just didn’t press their advantage enough both times with the bat and succumbed to spin easily.They hardly looked like taking 20 wickets and with loads of time left, it was a debacle not only in terms of score lines but of a timid mindset that was exposed. They had several debutants but none in the fast bowling department came close to even a performance. It was if they had a team stripped of quicks all series.

England on the other hand starred in all departments. Harry Brook had a better series than anyone else and took the honours hands down. Jimmy Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood starred as well. Jack Leach was their leading spinner and wicket taker.The Barmy Army was in full voice throughout the series trumpeting “Dil Dil Pakistan ” in all the venues cheering the whitewash.Pakistan fans were few and far between as if they had lost the appetite for watching any tests regardless of return of this format from UAE.Babar Azam’s captaincy and the Greenshirts themselves didn’t have much left to offer and both would have to change pretty soon for their upcoming homestand against New Zealand.