Pakistan v England | 2nd Test | Multan | October 15-19 | Pre-Match Discussion

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Expecting at least 3-4 changes.

Saim, babar, Shaheen, Abrar out
Huraira ( But IMam might play ahead of him), Kamran, Mir Hamza, Nouman ali
 
BBC Cricket :
Former England seamer Steven Finn took a closer look at the pitch expected to be used for the second match.

"It looks wet at the moment but over the course of the next three days it will dry and be shaved down," Finn said.

"Getting the ball spinning and moving laterally, I think, is the way Pakistan can beat England - if they can at all.

"If they play them on 'shirt fronts' like they did during this first Test match it is England all the way."

Atherton, though, expects the groundstaff in Multan to serve up another featherbed.

"I don't see how the pitch in three days [for the next Test] can be much different to what we've just had quite frankly," he said.
 
any pictures of pitch ?


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Pitch is going to be another dead stick.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see England go unchanged here. They don’t particularly need to change their side, plus it fosters the appearance of stability compared with Pakistan who will possibly be changing half of their players.
 
Make it a low scoring pitch. The best way to bridge the skill gap between teams.
All they need is spinning wickets. That's it. England like flat track and they will negate well on green pitches. So spin tracks are way to go.

The only issue is that Pakistani batters will fall to the likes of Leach and Bashir. But what choice do they have.
 
Pitch is going to be another dead stick.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see England go unchanged here. They don’t particularly need to change their side, plus it fosters the appearance of stability compared with Pakistan who will possibly be changing half of their players.
Stokes is fit it is being reported ... who does he replace ?
 
Pitch is going to be reused. Interesting decision .

Those asking for a spin friendly track will finally get what they want.

We can judge, once and for all, whether it would have made any difference.
 
Expecting at least 3-4 changes.

Saim, babar, Shaheen, Abrar out
Huraira ( But IMam might play ahead of him), Kamran, Mir Hamza, Nouman ali

These would be the right changes.

All four need to sit.

I'm not big on Shafique either, but he hit a century and can be cut later if it was a "dead cat bounce" before returning to his struggles.
 
Mathew Potts will play the next Test

He will wreck havoc if the same track is used
 
Finally. But why is rizzu still there 😭
 
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0-3v eng 6-0 Aussie series. just seen Pak are due to face Zimbabwe..that’s a tough series to call I would advise Baba to sit that one out if he does score Zimbabar will be stuck on to him for life.
 
Mathew Potts 5th stump line nicking off Rizwan….

Who can already envision this?
 
Stokes set to play on same pitch as first Test

England captain Ben Stokes looks set to be fit for a second Test against Pakistan that seems likely to be played on the same Multan pitch as the record-breaking first Test.

Stokes, who has been out since the beginning of August with a hamstring injury, bowled at full pace in the nets on Sunday in preparation for the second Test, which starts on Tuesday.

At the same time, the pitch that produced some astonishing run-scoring in the first Test was cordoned off and blown by two large fans placed at each end. The creases and bowlers’ footmarks have been repaired.

There is nothing in the International Cricket Council’s conditions preventing a Test from being played on a used pitch, but using the same surface for back-to-back games would be highly unusual.

“That is what it’s looking like,” said coaching consultant James Anderson, who added it would be a “first” for him after a career that spanned an England record 188 Tests.

“We don’t know what we’re going to get,” Anderson told BBC Sport. “It could be another pitch, or they have repaired this one really well and it’s flat again.”

The pitch for the first Test attracted much attention because of its incredibly flat nature. After Pakistan made 556 in their first innings, England broke a host of records by posting 823-7 declared, their highest total since 1938.

The tourists eventually won by an innings and 47 runs, condemning Pakistan to the unwanted record of becoming the team with the largest first-innings total to subsequently suffer such a defeat.

Overall, data analysts Cricviz ranked it as the 11th-flattest pitch anywhere in the world since ratings were created in 2007. Former England captain Michael Atherton called it “shocking” on Sky Sports.

The potential to play on the same pitch arises from the first two Tests being played at the same venue. This second Test was switched from Karachi because of renovation work being done at the National Stadium.

During the Covid era there were five instances of England playing back-to-back Tests at the same venue, but never on the same pitch in consecutive matches.

ICC regulations state: “It is expected that venues that are allocated the responsibility of hosting a match will present the best possible pitch and outfield conditions for that match.”

Sanctions would only be administered retrospectively if a pitch or outfield subsequently are deemed to have played in an unsatisfactory or unfit manner.

The theory for playing on the same surface is that a fresh pitch would simply produce a repeat of last week. By playing on the old pitch, which is cracked and started to show signs of uneven bounce towards the back end of the first Test, Pakistan may feel their bowlers have a better chance against England’s powerful batting.

“Going off the last game, we did see it go up and down, mainly down, towards the back end,” said Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker.

“The cracks started opening up. I’m no groundsman, but I don’t think you can make cracks go back together that easily, certainly in three days. You’d expect it to do something off the cracks and with it being dry and hot again, you’d expect the spinners to play more of a part.”

If the same pitch is employed – and there is still the chance one of the strips either side is settled on – it may also help Stokes’ reintroduction into the England side.

The 33-year-old has missed four consecutive Tests and the main concern over his return would be the amount of overs he is able to bowl.

On a used pitch, England spinners Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir and part-timer Joe Root can be expected to do the bulk of the bowling, taking the load off Stokes and England’s other seamers.

“When we’re talking about Ben’s workloads and his bowling, it might play into our hands with that, with the spinners potentially playing more of a part,” said Anderson.

“He looks great. He has worked really hard on his fitness and looking as strong as I’ve ever seen him. He’s had a good bowl in the nets and looks good to go.”

It seems most likely Stokes would come into the England side for Chris Woakes. England may also check on the condition of pacemen Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse following their workload in the heat of the first Test, with Matthew Potts on stand-by.

Stokes and Potts were two of only five England players that took part in optional training on Sunday, alongside Bashir, Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox.

BBC
 
Stokes set to play on same pitch as first Test

England captain Ben Stokes looks set to be fit for a second Test against Pakistan that seems likely to be played on the same Multan pitch as the record-breaking first Test.

Stokes, who has been out since the beginning of August with a hamstring injury, bowled at full pace in the nets on Sunday in preparation for the second Test, which starts on Tuesday.

At the same time, the pitch that produced some astonishing run-scoring in the first Test was cordoned off and blown by two large fans placed at each end. The creases and bowlers’ footmarks have been repaired.

There is nothing in the International Cricket Council’s conditions preventing a Test from being played on a used pitch, but using the same surface for back-to-back games would be highly unusual.

“That is what it’s looking like,” said coaching consultant James Anderson, who added it would be a “first” for him after a career that spanned an England record 188 Tests.

“We don’t know what we’re going to get,” Anderson told BBC Sport. “It could be another pitch, or they have repaired this one really well and it’s flat again.”

The pitch for the first Test attracted much attention because of its incredibly flat nature. After Pakistan made 556 in their first innings, England broke a host of records by posting 823-7 declared, their highest total since 1938.

The tourists eventually won by an innings and 47 runs, condemning Pakistan to the unwanted record of becoming the team with the largest first-innings total to subsequently suffer such a defeat.

Overall, data analysts Cricviz ranked it as the 11th-flattest pitch anywhere in the world since ratings were created in 2007. Former England captain Michael Atherton called it “shocking” on Sky Sports.

The potential to play on the same pitch arises from the first two Tests being played at the same venue. This second Test was switched from Karachi because of renovation work being done at the National Stadium.

During the Covid era there were five instances of England playing back-to-back Tests at the same venue, but never on the same pitch in consecutive matches.

ICC regulations state: “It is expected that venues that are allocated the responsibility of hosting a match will present the best possible pitch and outfield conditions for that match.”

Sanctions would only be administered retrospectively if a pitch or outfield subsequently are deemed to have played in an unsatisfactory or unfit manner.

The theory for playing on the same surface is that a fresh pitch would simply produce a repeat of last week. By playing on the old pitch, which is cracked and started to show signs of uneven bounce towards the back end of the first Test, Pakistan may feel their bowlers have a better chance against England’s powerful batting.

“Going off the last game, we did see it go up and down, mainly down, towards the back end,” said Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker.

“The cracks started opening up. I’m no groundsman, but I don’t think you can make cracks go back together that easily, certainly in three days. You’d expect it to do something off the cracks and with it being dry and hot again, you’d expect the spinners to play more of a part.”

If the same pitch is employed – and there is still the chance one of the strips either side is settled on – it may also help Stokes’ reintroduction into the England side.

The 33-year-old has missed four consecutive Tests and the main concern over his return would be the amount of overs he is able to bowl.

On a used pitch, England spinners Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir and part-timer Joe Root can be expected to do the bulk of the bowling, taking the load off Stokes and England’s other seamers.

“When we’re talking about Ben’s workloads and his bowling, it might play into our hands with that, with the spinners potentially playing more of a part,” said Anderson.

“He looks great. He has worked really hard on his fitness and looking as strong as I’ve ever seen him. He’s had a good bowl in the nets and looks good to go.”

It seems most likely Stokes would come into the England side for Chris Woakes. England may also check on the condition of pacemen Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse following their workload in the heat of the first Test, with Matthew Potts on stand-by.

Stokes and Potts were two of only five England players that took part in optional training on Sunday, alongside Bashir, Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox.

BBC

Reusing the pitch is quite a good idea to be honest. 3.5 day game and more exciting, also gives Pakistan a 30% chance of winning whereas on another flat road it would have been 2%.
Wow they've been reading this forum ! That'd be a good decision.

Seeing as we can't make a fresh pitch support spin, then a used pitch is the only alternative to be honest.
 
Wow they've been reading this forum ! That'd be a good decision.

Seeing as we can't make a fresh pitch support spin, then a used pitch is the only alternative to be honest.

If the pitch is immediately spitting everywhere then Pakistan will get into trouble with the ICC down the line, but short term it could reverse their misfortunes and losing run.
 
Rehan was excellent last time England played Pakistan. He humbled Rizwan
Wo to koi bhi kar Sakta hai 🤣🤣. I'm dead serious when I say this, Aussie women bat better then rizwan. I'm dead serious.
 
Pakistan media is still obsessing that India on number 1 in WTC points table and we are at 9.
They are just not talking about what improvements to make. Just spewing hate on Indian Cricket.
 
Pakistan and England teams practice at the Multan Cricket Stadium ahead of the second Test


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Pakistan name squad for 2nd and 3rd England Tests

Multan, 13 October 2024:

The Pakistan cricket selectors have announced their squad for the second and third Test matches against England, which will be played in Multan and Rawalpindi on 15 and 24 October, respectively.

Taking into consideration the current form and fitness of key players and looking ahead to Pakistan’s future assignments in the 2024-25 international cricket season, the selectors have decided to give rest to Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Abrar Ahmed (who is recovering from dengue fever) was unavailable for selection.

The four players have been replaced by Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam (all uncapped), fast bowler Mohammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan. Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who were initially part of the original first Test squad but were subsequently released, have also been included in the 16-player squad.

Squad (for 2nd and 3rd Tests):

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.


Aqib Javed, member of the men’s national selection committee:

“Selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task for the selectors. We’ve had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 international schedule. With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players, we’ve made the decision to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

“We are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness, confidence and composure, ensuring they return in top shape for future challenges. They remain some of our finest talents with much more to contribute to Pakistan cricket. We are fully committed to supporting them during this period so they can come back even stronger.

“At the same time, we are offering opportunities to uncapped players like Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam, along with Mohammad Ali, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood. They now have the chance to showcase their skills against a formidable England side. We believe they will rise to the occasion and make the most of this opportunity in the remaining two Tests.”

Meanwhile, Haseebullah and Mehran Mumtaz, who were part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, have been replaced by Maaz Sadaqat and Rohail Nazir. The tournament will be held in Oman from 18 October.
 
That bowl seamed away. Looks like Stokes will bowl which is good sign for England.
 
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Mehran Mumtaz?? Haseebullah??

Well, that is some decision by selectors.
 
Everyone in Pakistan in the squad
 
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Pakistan name squad for 2nd and 3rd England Tests

Multan, 13 October 2024:

The Pakistan cricket selectors have announced their squad for the second and third Test matches against England, which will be played in Multan and Rawalpindi on 15 and 24 October, respectively.

Taking into consideration the current form and fitness of key players and looking ahead to Pakistan’s future assignments in the 2024-25 international cricket season, the selectors have decided to give rest to Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Abrar Ahmed (who is recovering from dengue fever) was unavailable for selection.

The four players have been replaced by Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam (all uncapped), fast bowler Mohammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan. Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who were initially part of the original first Test squad but were subsequently released, have also been included in the 16-player squad.

Squad (for 2nd and 3rd Tests):

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.


Aqib Javed, member of the men’s national selection committee:

“Selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task for the selectors. We’ve had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 international schedule. With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players, we’ve made the decision to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

“We are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness, confidence and composure, ensuring they return in top shape for future challenges. They remain some of our finest talents with much more to contribute to Pakistan cricket. We are fully committed to supporting them during this period so they can come back even stronger.

“At the same time, we are offering opportunities to uncapped players like Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam, along with Mohammad Ali, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood. They now have the chance to showcase their skills against a formidable England side. We believe they will rise to the occasion and make the most of this opportunity in the remaining two Tests.”

Meanwhile, Haseebullah and Mehran Mumtaz, who were part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, have been replaced by Maaz Sadaqat and Rohail Nazir. The tournament will be held in Oman from 18 October.
Some "interesting" selections...
 
Why Naseem dropped?

Did he p off the management by demanding to bowl to take soft wickets at the end, and then throw his wicket away with Jamal set at the crease?
Apparently, all of these guys are rested. But Naseem was a surprise.
 
Saim/Abdullah
Huraira
Shan
Kamran Ghulam
Saud Shakeel
Rizwan
Agha
Jamal
Noman Ali
Sajid/Zahid/Mumtaz
Mir Hamza
 
Pakistan media is still obsessing that India on number 1 in WTC points table and we are at 9.
They are just not talking about what improvements to make. Just spewing hate on Indian Cricket.
That's OK bhai, one must aspire to the top. It will be sad if indian media focuses on Pakistan right now.
 
Saim/Abdullah
Huraira
Shan
Kamran Ghulam
Saud Shakeel
Rizwan
Agha
Jamal
Noman Ali
Sajid/Zahid/Mumtaz
Mir Hamza
I beleive Kamran can also bowl some decent spin.

The decisions Pakistan have to make are which of Abdullah/Saim are dropped. I guess it will be Saim who will be dropped but he does provide a decent spin option for the used pitch.

Second important decision will be about the second spinner. I hope Pakistan don't do with Zahid and chose one from Sajid and Mumtaz
 
Saim/Abdullah
Huraira
Shan
Kamran Ghulam
Saud Shakeel
Rizwan
Agha
Jamal
Noman Ali
Sajid/Zahid/Mumtaz
Mir Hamza
I think Saim should be dropped for Huraira and Abdullah
Pakistan will not go with 3 spinners so only Noman and Agha might play but it they have to, then I will pick Zahid. Rest looks okay
 
My guess the 11 from that squad will be:

1) Abdullah
2) Shan (c)
3) Kamran
4) Saud
5) Salman Agha
6) Rizwan (w)
7) Amir Jamal
8) Noman Ali
9) Mehran
10) Mir Hamza
11) Zahid

They are preparing a spinning wicket finally so the bowling attack will be full of spinners.
 
I think Saim should be dropped for Huraira and Abdullah
Pakistan will not go with 3 spinners so only Noman and Agha might play but it they have to, then I will pick Zahid. Rest looks okay
That's fair about Saim but Zahid is a horrible horrible spinner averages close to 37 in his FC career with no control. I would rather go with inexperienced Mumtaz or Sajid then Zahid
 
Going by that squad.

Playing 11:
1. Saim
2. Huraira
3. Shan
4. Ghulam
5. Saud
6. Rizwan
7. Agha
8. Jamal
9. Sajid
10. Mumtaz/Nauman (both mediocre so don't care)
11. Hamza

At least with Sajid he has experience of picking up wickets in FC cricket, so he should spearhead the spin attack.
 
Mehran bowls quickly at Jadeja like speed. If there is real turn on offer he could be a handful
 
I think Saim should be dropped for Huraira and Abdullah
Pakistan will not go with 3 spinners so only Noman and Agha might play but it they have to, then I will pick Zahid. Rest looks okay
Not going with two frontline spinners on a used pitch after dropping both Shaheen and Naseem...

I don't see that happening
 
Mehran’s strength is the darter

He’s not someone who trusts his ability to spin much
True that's why i said if the pitch really breaks up and offers turns he would be more dangerous than say Sajid or Zahid
 
I beleive Kamran can also bowl some decent spin.

The decisions Pakistan have to make are which of Abdullah/Saim are dropped. I guess it will be Saim who will be dropped but he does provide a decent spin option for the used pitch.

Second important decision will be about the second spinner. I hope Pakistan don't do with Zahid and chose one from Sajid and Mumtaz
Zahir is big turner of a ball he will create havoc if he get spinning pitch watch out england its game on here
 
Why Naseem dropped?

Did he p off the management by demanding to bowl to take soft wickets at the end, and then throw his wicket away with Jamal set at the crease?
Strange one with Naseem, dropped against Bangla after one match then brought back but to be dropped again? One feels he is rubbing the management/coaching set up the wrong way.

Firstly saying he can't really understand foreign coaches & then saying Pakistan pitches are graveyards for fast bowlers. Valid points but you have to back up your words with performances.

He has not and also been carrying excess weight so rightly dropped.
 
Strange one with Naseem, dropped against Bangla after one match then brought back but to be dropped again? One feels he is rubbing the management/coaching set up the wrong way.

Firstly saying he can't really understand foreign coaches & then saying Pakistan pitches are graveyards for fast bowlers. Valid points but you have to back up your words with performances.

He has not and also been carrying excess weight so rightly dropped.
He’s definitely suffering from superstar syndrome

A couple of us wanted BazzBall England batters to bring him back down to earth.
 
Zahir is big turner of a ball he will create havoc if he get spinning pitch watch out england its game on here
Zahid is rubbish even if there is massive spin on offer he will waste it as he has zero control. I have seen enough of him in last 10 years to know that.

Zahid will not be able to offer any control when Bazball will come after him. Also he would have lot of scarring from last time england delivered him a phainta
 
Zahid is rubbish even if there is massive spin on offer he will waste it as he has zero control. I have seen enough of him in last 10 years to know that.

Zahid will not be able to offer any control when Bazball will come after him. Also he would have lot of scarring from last time england delivered him a phainta
No not really zahid is biggest turner of cricket ball in whole pakistan you dont wanna expose mehran he is a darter not a turner i would say bring zahid on used pitch and its gonna be fun.
 
Zahid is rubbish even if there is massive spin on offer he will waste it as he has zero control. I have seen enough of him in last 10 years to know that.

Zahid will not be able to offer any control when Bazball will come after him. Also he would have lot of scarring from last time england delivered him a phainta
💯

Zahid is crap

Nothing to offer and even on a turner he'll be hammered
 
England’s data analysts in overdrive now. They will have to work out the right places to bowl to some players and know the strengths and weaknesses of some bowlers
 
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