Win Projections to be updated soon
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially announced their playing XI for the second Test of the ongoing series against Pakistan, which is set to commence on October 15 at the Multan Cricket Stadium. England, fresh off an impressive victory in the first Test, will aim to seal the series with the return of their regular Test captain, Ben Stokes.
Ben Stokes Returns After Injury Layoff
The biggest talking point ahead of the second Test is the much-anticipated return of Ben Stokes, who missed the first Test and the preceding series against Sri Lanka due to a hamstring injury. Stokes had sustained the injury while playing in The Hundred back in August, and his absence was felt, though England managed to perform well under the leadership of Ollie Pope, who captained in Stokes’ place.
Stokes’ return to full fitness marks a significant boost for the England squad, as he is not only their talismanic captain but also an all-rounder capable of changing the course of a match with both bat and ball. His presence will add to England’s firepower as they look to clinch the series against Pakistan after a comprehensive win in the first Test.
First Test Recap: England Dominate
In the first Test, held in Multan, England put in a dominant performance, defeating Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs. England’s batting lineup fired on all cylinders, with notable contributions from Zak Crawley, Joe Root, and Harry Brook. On the bowling front, spinners Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir were pivotal, exploiting the conditions expertly, while pacer Brydon Carse provided crucial breakthroughs.
England’s dominant display has set the tone for the series, and they will look to carry that momentum into the second Test with Stokes back in the side.
Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes Rested
As England gears up for the second Test, the ECB has decided to rest fast bowlers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes, both of whom featured in the first match. Atkinson, who has been a rising star in English cricket, and the experienced Woakes will be given a breather as the management looks to rotate its squad.
Their absence will make room for the return of Matthew Potts, who will be eager to make an impact. Potts has been in and out of the side recently but has shown his potential in previous series, particularly with his ability to extract bounce and movement on subcontinental pitches.
England Opts for Spin-Heavy Attack
One of the interesting choices England has made for this Test is to stick with their spin-heavy attack, which includes the experienced Jack Leach and the young Shoaib Bashir. Both spinners played key roles in the first Test, with Leach providing the control and Bashir offering more attacking options with his variations.
Additionally, part-time spinner Joe Root, who has regularly chipped in with useful overs, will once again be relied upon to support the frontline spinners. England’s decision to forego a specialist fourth pacer signals their confidence in the spin-friendly conditions that Multan is expected to offer.
England’s Playing XI for the Second Test
The full England lineup for the second Test is as follows:
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Brydon Carse
- Matthew Potts
- Jack Leach
- Shoaib Bashir
This lineup emphasizes England’s balanced approach, with a mix of young talent and experienced campaigners. The decision to go with Jamie Smith as the wicketkeeper also highlights the team’s faith in his ability behind the stumps, along with his potential to contribute with the bat.
Pakistan’s Challenge
Pakistan, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly after their heavy defeat in the first Test. Their top order struggled against both pace and spin, and their bowlers found it difficult to contain England’s aggressive batting approach. With the series on the line, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam will be looking to inspire a comeback and level the series.
In particular, Pakistan’s bowlers will need to step up, with the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah needing to find ways to challenge England’s batting dominance. Additionally, their spinners, who failed to capitalize on the conditions in the first Test, will have to deliver more disciplined and incisive spells.
What to Expect in Multan
Multan’s pitch for the second Test is expected to be spin-friendly once again, with dry conditions that could lead to variable bounce as the match progresses. England’s decision to go with three spinners suggests they are preparing for a battle of attrition, where controlling the run rate and applying pressure through spin will be key.
For Pakistan, this will be a do-or-die match as they seek to salvage the series and avoid a 2-0 defeat at home. Both teams will need to be at their best to handle the challenging conditions and make the most of their opportunities.
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