PAK vs ENG: Pakistan has declared an unchanged playing XI for the final Test match of the series against England in Rawalpindi, after a dominating 152-run win over the visitors in the second Test. The PCB confirmed the lineup just a day after England decided to alter its bowling strategy to counter Pakistan’s much-talked-about triple-spin attack used in Multan.

The men’s national selection committee has confirmed Pakistan’s playing XI for the third Test against England, starting in Rawalpindi on Thursday, 24 October.#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/bkXGNhXYBu

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 23, 2024

Shan Masood Reaches A Milestone!

For the first time under Shan Masood’s captaincy, Pakistan has selected an unchanged squad. Although more murmurs were doing the rounds that Zahid Mahmood would be replaced by a seamer in view of his ineffective six overs at Multan, an injury to Mir Hamza who was their preferred choice ruled out the possibility.

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A Strategic Decision On Pitch Conditions

By opting to bat again, it is a vote of confidence in the curators’ efforts in preparing a pitch in Rawalpindi which has been so in Multan – a spin-friendly one. The record would be noted that no Rawalpindi pitches have ever assisted the spinners even at the fag end of the Test. For example, Pakistan had only sent an all-pace attack in a two-Test match series against Bangladesh two Test matches ago in August.

With another spin strategy successfully executed at Multan, preparation for the Rawalpindi pitch hot up with curators arriving at Pindi even before the conclusion of the second Test. Selection committee members Aleem Dar and Aqib Javed visited on the final day.

Large fans and wedding-style heaters were installed around the pitch over the weekend while the heaters were removed by Monday leaving the giant fans working. Some footmarks are already visible on the strip, especially outside the off-stump of the left-hander at the media end.

Head Coach’s Comment

“It is an interesting pitch,” said Jason Gillespie, the head coach of Pakistan. “Since I’ve been here, we have seen the crowd at work, which means the surface is quite dry and not grassy. We will see it will favor slower deliveries.”

Context Of The Series

Pakistan will seek their first series win since the 2-0 success in Sri Lanka back in July and the first home series triumph since South Africa was beaten 2-0 back in February 2021. This is likely to become a Test crackling with excitement, as both teams vie for bragging rights.

Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Zahid Mahmood

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