Moeen Ali responded to his critics with a Man Of The Match display to inspire England to a 141-run triumph at Edgbaston, as the hosts secured a 2-1 lead in the Investec Test series.
Many had been calling for the Worcestershire all-rounder to be replaced by Adil Rashid, but Moeen struck two vital half-centuries in the match and took the winning wicket on a pulsating fifth day, to steer England to a memorable victory.
Setting Pakistan 342 to win on the final day in Birmingham, all five of England's bowlers took two wickets as the tourists' resistance was broken down – despite a valiant 70 from 20-year-old opener Sami Aslam.
A four-wicket burst from Chris Woakes and Steven Finn before Tea reduced Pakistan to 125/7. Then, the tail was eventually cleaned up when Moeen clung on to a sharp caught-and-bowled to send a partisan crowd into raptures and clinch a precious Test victory for Alastair Cook's men.
It was the completion of a remarkable comeback by England, who had trailed by 103 after the first innings. Gary Ballance's 70 and 63 from Moeen guided the hosts to 297. But when Aslam and Azhar Ali powered Pakistan to 400 all out, it seemed as though the visitors were in the ascendecy.
Yet a stubborn century opening stand between Cook (66) and Alex Hales (54) set up a England third innings total of 445/6 declared – after Moeen and Jonny Bairstow both hit 80s. Cook called his side in with a lead of 342, leaving England 85 overs to dismiss Pakistan and take a series lead into the fourth Test at The Kia Oval, which starts on Thursday.
England got the best possible start to their victory hunt when Mohammad Hafeez hooked Stuart Broad straight down the throat of Woakes at fine leg for 2. And after a gritty stand between Ali (38) and Aslam again, the former was snaffled at slip by Cook off the threatening Moeen.
Younus Khan compounded a miserable Test by nicking off to Bairstow cheaply, before captain Misbah-ul-Haq followed suit for 10. Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed both departed for ducks before Aslam offered no shot to a Steven Finn in-swinger to leave the visitors teetering at seven wickets down.
The tail provided some resistance. But after Yasir Shah looped a catch to gully off James Anderson and Mohammad Amir slapped one straight to Woakes at point, only Number 10 (Sohail Khan) and 11 (Rahat Ali) remained.
The pair added a half-century partnership to delay the England charge. Fittingly, it was Moeen who capped a tremendous Test match by snaring a low catch off his own bowling to get rid of Sohail for 38. Edgbaston celebrated and England are now dreaming of a 3-1 series win – which would be an incredible reverse after losing the first test at Lord's.
England and Pakistan meet in Cardiff on Sunday September 4 in the finale of the Royal London One Day International Series. Secure your seats by clicking here.