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Less than two years ago, England defeated Pakistan by 26 runs in the last Test played at the Multan Cricket Stadium. While it was the narrowest margin of defeat in the series, it dealt a psychological blow from which Pakistan has struggled to recover.
A lot has changed since then. England have adjusted their ultra-aggressive approach to Test cricket following a 4-1 thrashing in India earlier this year. Meanwhile, Pakistan have a new captain and coaching staff after a series of shake-ups in the Pakistan Cricket Board.
However, uncertainty remains about the type of pitch Pakistan will prepare and which style of play best suits their current resources.
The hosts come into this series after their most humiliating Test defeat, having lost five consecutive Tests. Of their last seven Tests at home, five have ended in defeat. Despite this poor run, Pakistan made few efforts to reverse the trend. During the break, the Test players participated in a domestic one-day tournament, with their only red-ball practice coming during a five-day pre-series camp in Multan.
Following their disastrous series in India, England have made some changes with an eye on the 2025 Ashes. They’ve arrived in Pakistan with a completely revamped and inexperienced fast-bowling attack. Their regular captain is unavailable, and James Anderson’s role as a fast-bowling mentor continues to evolve. Even their spin-bowling unit, led by Jack Leach, is relatively inexperienced, with Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed having played just nine and four Tests, respectively.
Multan is set to swelter throughout the first Test, with the hottest day expected to be the opener, where temperatures could reach 38°C. For the rest of the match, temperatures will remain in the mid-30s. After Saturday's training session, the ground staff shaved the grass but kept the 22-yard strip covered throughout Sunday morning to maintain the desired moisture levels. How the pitch will play is anyone's guess, but it’s expected to offer early assistance to seamers, flatten out in the middle, and provide turn for spinners as the game progresses.
Teams:
Pakistan (Playing XI): Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood(c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope(c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
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