Looking like a warrior is easy, behaving like one isn’t — thankfully for Sajid Khan, he is capable of both. Labelled ‘Katappa’ owing to a strong resemblance with the Bahubaali character, the off-spinner channeled his inner soldier to battle through a painful blow on Friday during a crucial knock.
Pakistan fought back from the doldrums in Rawalpindi to recover from 177/7 to 344 al-out, thus taking a first innings lead of 77 runs on the second day of the third and final Test against England. Saud Shakeel was the arhcitect-in-chief of the resurrection as he struck a patient 134, featuring just five boundaries, before spin twins Noman Ali and Sajid Khan partnered with the bat this time to score 40-odd each and put the hosts in a commanding position in the series decider. However, the rewards did not come without several tribulations, none more painful than a self-inflicted bo=low from Sajid towards the tail end of his innings.
The 31-year-old was unbeaten on 37 off 31 when he tried to carry on his merry ways by lapping Rehan Ahmed in the gap between the wicket-keeper and fine-leg. However, Sajid made his move too early, allowing the young wrist-spinner to drop the ball just slightly shorter on off-stump. Sajid went through with the shot all the same, only for the red cherry to fly off the edge and thaw into the batter’s right cheek. He immediately took his helmet off and showcaseed the wound while the physion ran out to apply some ice and ointment. By the time the process was done, Sajid’s t-shirt had several streaks of bloody red all over it, warranting him to change his jersey in the middle of the park which was met by raucous cheers from the audience.
Commendably, Sajid retained a stoic expression on his stern face throughout the episode which earned him many plaudits from the Twitterati.
Game gets bloody
What a character
DAMNNNN
What a character Sajid is. Blood dripping from
His face, his shirt all read and showing thumbs up to the gallery and asking for shirt change.
This is what we need this is what we want#ENGvsPAK pic.twitter.com/EqHOLZ6Odj— ygritte🪨 (@Choolo56) October 25, 2024
Sajid Khan.. fighter all rounder..#PAKvENG #PAKvsENG#ENGvsPak #indvsnzl
pic.twitter.com/rA6D5Eu9MR— Mahnoor Khan (@Mahnoor_khan126) October 25, 2024
Respect
At no 10
Most sixes by Pakistan’s No.10 batter in a Test inns
4 – Mushtaq Ahmed vs SA, Rawalpindi, 1997
4 – Sajid Khan vs ENG, Rawalpindi, 2024*
3 – Rahat Ali vs ZIM, Harare, 2013
3 – Hasan Ali vs SL, Abu Dhabi, 2017 #PAKvENG #PAKvsENG— Shashikant Singh (@shashi_CB) October 25, 2024
Sajid Khan missed a well deserved fifty by just 2 runs. He scored 48* of 48 balls with 2 FOURs & 4 SIXEs in his knock. pic.twitter.com/fxpLwINP0A
— Aman Khan (@AmanCricket_) October 25, 2024
Vital contribution
Not only Noman Ali and Sajid Khan bowl well, but also they make vital contributions with the bat. They are proving to be great Test players Pakistan cricket team was missing. They are showing Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi how to support their batters.
— IMRAN DURRANI (@imrandurrani) October 25, 2024
Angry on them
Sajid and Noman seem angry with England! They are taking the whole 10 wickets and scores also when batting 🤣#sajidkhan #PAKvENG #INDvsNZ
— Shaharyar Azhar (@azhar_shaharyar) October 25, 2024
#PAKvENG:
With 6 wickets and 48 runs not out. Sajid Khan did it all for his team.
Pakistan’s Rahul Dravid Abdullah Shafiq, no-look shot Saim Ayub, good English-speaking Shan Masood all could not come together.#PakistanCricket— Abdul Bari (@arsl71) October 25, 2024
Cold
