Wednesday, August 9 2006 15:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Leeds: Sajid Mahmood, the son of Pakistani immigrants, takes a Test-best four for 22 as England beats Pakistan by 167 runs on the fifth and final day of the third Test at Headingley here Tuesday. Victory means England had an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four match series and have won their first home Test campaign against Pakistan since 1982. England captain Andrew Strauss pays tribute to the bowlers.

"It was very high quality batting but the bowlers were magnificent," says Strauss. "It's been ten days of really excellent test cricket. We've been working hard and those little things make a massive difference. Monty (Panesar) was outstanding today. He's done a brillant job for us. It's not easy to contain world-class batsmen," says Strauss.

"Chris Read was excellent. He batted really well, very positively," says Strauss.

Pakistan, set 323 to win, is bowled out for 155 midway through the afternoon session. They are in deep trouble at lunch having collapsed to 84 for five, still needing a further 239 for victory.

Paul Collingwood has run out Mohammad Yousuf, who scores 192 in Pakistan's first innings, for just eight before fast bowler Mahmood, takes two wickets for no runs in three balls.

But two of Pakistan's star batsmen are still at the crease with man-of-the-match Younis Khan, who makes 173 in the first innings, 29 not out and Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq unbeaten on nought. And it is not long before Pakistan lost their sixth wicket Monty Panesar, who had already removed Taufeeq Umar (11), produces a classic left-arm spinner's delivery that pitched on middle and hit the top of off-stump to bowl Younis for 41 - the top score of the innings. Then 112 for six become 113 for seven when Mohammad Sami, lingering in his crease before setting off, is run out for nought by Kevin Pietersen's throw to Mahmood. Lancashire quick Mahmood then takes two wickets in his first over back. With the first ball of his second spell he has Shahid Nazir top-edging a hook to first slip Marcus Trescothick and then Umar Gul edges low to Collingwood at third slip to leave Pakistan 149 for nine. Mahmood's final analysis is an impressive 8-2-22-4. Inzamam himself is last man out, stumped by wicket-keeper Chris Read for 37 off Panesar, who finished with three for 39 from 17.5 overs. Danish Kaneria is nought not out. Matthew Hoggard, on his Yorkshire home ground, has made the initial breakthrough when he Salman Butt (16) edging to first slip Trescothick. Pakistan, who resumes on nought without loss, and then see 23 for one become 68 for three. Panesar, who leads England's attack with three for 127 in the first innings, then struck in the second over of his spell when he has Umar caught at silly point by Alastair Cook off a bottom-edged bat/pad sweep. England then captures the prize wicket of Yousuf, who has added 363 with Younis in the first innings, a Pakistan record for any wicket against England. After Younis plays the ball behind square, Yousuf fails to beat Collingwood's direct hit from gully, the pair putting on a mere 16 this time. England, 1-0 up in the series after their innings and 120 run second Test win at Old Trafford, are now on top. Pace bowler Mahmood then strengthens England's position, with two wickets falling on 80. Inzamam's prolonged absence Monday with a chest injury means he cannot bat higher than number seven.

So Faisal Iqbal takes his skipper's number five slots. But he is well caught by a diving Read off Mahmood and two balls later wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal go for nought after getting a thin edge to a 90mph (150kph) delivery which Read safely held. Even before they have started their run chase, history is against Pakistan. The most they had previously scored in the fourth innings to win a Test was the 315 for nine they achieved against Australia at Karachi in 1994/95. And only two sides had made more than 300 batting in the fourth innings to win a Test at Headingley with a Don Bradman-inspired Australia posting 404 for three back in 1948 and England, thanks to a Mark Butcher century, scoring 315 for four against Australia five years ago.

"I was encouraged after the first inning fight back and thought we could go on and win, but England bowled well." Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq says.

"We had a little bit of trouble in the opening. We tried to stay positive all the time but they bowled very well." Younis Khan adds.

The fourth Test starts at The Oval on August 17.

sajid mahmood, england, test campaign against pakistan, andrew strauss, chris read, paul collingwood, mohammad yousuf, younis khan, inzamam-ul-haq, monty panesar, taufeeq umar, mohammad sami, kevin pietersen, marcus trescothick, and umar gul collingwood, danish kaneria, matthew hoggard, panesar, alastair cook, faisal iqbal , kamran akmal