Pak vs Eng: England has finally decided to go in with three frontline spinners for the third Test against Pakistan. That’s a strategic move, given the classy credentials of Rehan Ahmed who finds a place in the side, along with two changes from the side that played the second Test against Pakistan in Multan. Gus Atkinson also returns to the playing 11.
England going with 3 spinners against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Seems like they are impressed with the formula of Pakistan Team.
— Shahzaib Ali 🇵🇰 (@DSBcricket) October 22, 2024
Jack Leach ✅
Shoaib Bashir ✅
Rehan Ahmed ✅#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/ooWNuRl8Ct
Rehan Ahmed Back In The Squad
The spin-sensation, who last appeared for England in India, has been sidelined throughout the English summer. Rehan Ahmed made his Test debut in Karachi in December 2022, where he took five wickets in the third innings as England achieved a historic whitewash 3-0 series – something that had never occurred before in this format for England at home.
So far, Ahmed has taken 18 wickets in four Tests, with an average of 34.50. He is an addition to the list of notable players like Jack Leach, who has taken the maximum wickets in the series with 14 wickets, and Shoaib Bashir in the spin-bowling department.
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Gus Atkinson Returns To The Playing XI
England brings Gus Atkinson back into the playing XI for the first Test against Pakistan. He played a very vital role in the first Test and notched four wickets for 136 runs on a batting-friendly pitch against Pakistan. With the ability to reverse swing the ball, he was the destroyer of the Pakistan batting order where he reached Shan Masood and Babar Azam’s wickets, making Pakistan batsmen grind at 41 for 3.
Speed Bowling Menace
Reverse swing will not be a factor here in Rawalpindi due to the lush pitch conditions. But bowling at over speeds in the high 140kph range will certainly be a test enough for the Pakistani batters against Atkinson. Captain Ben Stokes, who was away from cricket for nine weeks, is the other seamer in England’s playing XI. He bowled 10 overs between both innings of the last Test.
Pakistan Alters Pitch Preparations
Under the intense style of England, Pakistan has gone all out in the last three days to change the Rawalpindi surface which normally helps the seamers. Industrial fans and gas heaters have been placed on the field to speed up the process of drying up of the pitch, in an attempt to resemble conditions prevailing on the Multan surface. With all this change, England feels the same pitch will help their spinners that much more.
England’s Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamies Smith, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir
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