Multan: In a surprising turn of events, Pakistan has made significant squad changes ahead of the second Test match against England, scheduled to begin on October 15, 2024 in Multan. The newly appointed selection committee, featuring Aqib Javed, Azhar Ali, and Aleem Dar, has dropped key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah for the remaining two Tests. This move has sent shockwaves through the cricket world, as Babar Azam, Pakistan’s star batter, has struggled with form across his last 17 innings.
Babar Azam’s exclusion has sparked a mixed reaction among former cricketers and experts. While some believe it is a harsh move, others feel it might be beneficial for Babar to step away from international cricket temporarily, focusing on regaining form in domestic matches or taking a break to rejuvenate. Similarly, Shaheen Afridi, recovering from a knee injury, has faced form issues, while Naseem Shah has struggled with bowling consistency, leading to his exclusion.
On the other side, England, buoyed by their dominant innings victory in the first Test, is expected to welcome back Ben Stokes. Stokes missed the first match but is back in training and ready to bolster England’s already strong lineup, which includes Joe Root and the in-form Harry Brook. England appears poised to make only minor changes to their squad and is confident of sealing the series.
Pakistan, now captained by Shan Masood, will be relying on young talents such as Kamran Ghulam, Aamer Jamal, and Sajid Khan to step up in the absence of senior players. The pressure is mounting as Pakistan seeks to bounce back, and all eyes will be on how the team handles the situation, especially on the reused pitch that played a crucial role in their previous defeat. Pakistan team had longer practice session than England and the did practice for 3 hours.
Ahead of the match, Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood, coach Jason Gillespie, and the pitch curator took a close look at the pitch.
Pitch Conditions for Second Test: Reused and Spin-Friendly
The second Test will be played on the same Multan pitch that hosted the first Test, raising concerns among cricket experts. The pitch, which saw England score a massive 823 runs in the first match, is expected to deteriorate more quickly in the second match. This could lead to more spin and bounce, making spin bowlers like Sajid Khan and Noman Ali critical for Pakistan, while England’s Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir are also expected to play pivotal roles.
Experts predict that fast bowlers might have a reduced impact, with both teams likely to focus more on their spin bowling options. England’s coach, James Anderson, has hinted that the pitch could benefit his team, especially with the return of Ben Stokes.
The decision to reuse the same pitch has sparked discussions. Former cricketers, including Kevin Pietersen, have voiced concerns, calling it a “bowlers’ graveyard” and criticizing the batting-friendly conditions. While the pitch may start flat, experts anticipate that it will increasingly favor spin bowlers as the match progresses.
As Pakistan and England gear up for this crucial match, the spotlight is on how the reused pitch will shape the outcome, especially with Pakistan’s squad changes and England’s strengthened lineup. With October 15 just around the corner, fans eagerly await what promises to be a thrilling encounter in Multan.
Probable Pakistan XI for 2nd Test Match
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Aamer Jamal, Mir Hamza, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan
Probable England XI for 2nd Test Match
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope , Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith (wk), Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
Report by Abdul Hanan