England Faces Swift Turnaround as Undercooked Tourists Take On Pakistan Despite Home Team’s Struggles
Big Picture: England Hits the Road Again
Ask any cricket enthusiast where England will be playing their next Test match this week, and it may be hard for even the most devoted fans to keep track. Only last week, England was battling Australia in a lackluster one-day series marking the end of a disappointing summer. Now, without even a pause, they find themselves on the road to Pakistan—a place where England had not played for nearly two decades before 2005 but will now face for the sixth time in just two years.
It’s a whirlwind schedule that’s left even the most seasoned players reeling, with the winter schedule already promising a white-ball tour of the West Indies in three weeks and a Test series in New Zealand next month. Cricket legend James Anderson has opted for some time on the golf course, and Andrew Flintoff has shifted focus to reviving classic 1980s game shows, highlighting just how chaotic the international cricket calendar has become.
England’s hosts, Pakistan, are no strangers to turmoil. After suffering five consecutive Test losses—two of which came in a significant home series defeat to Bangladesh—Pakistan’s preparation for this series has been marked by confusion. Venue decisions were constantly changing, with serious consideration even being given to moving the matches to Abu Dhabi. Finally, the decision was made to hold back-to-back matches in Multan.
Despite Pakistan’s unpredictable form, this series deserves more than just being squeezed into the packed schedule. England’s last tour of Pakistan in December 2022 was a remarkable triumph, thanks to aggressive batting and Ben Stokes’ brilliant captaincy. However, things have changed quickly since then, especially for England’s bowling attack. With key players such as Anderson, Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson out, England’s new seam attack—featuring Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Gus Atkinson—has yet to prove itself in overseas conditions during the Bazball era.
With Stokes sidelined due to injury, the responsibility will fall on Ollie Pope to lead the team. Though he has shown promise as a captain, some of his tactics have drawn criticism, particularly after a loss to Sri Lanka at the Kia Oval.
Pakistan’s Edge: A Revitalized Bowling Attack
Pakistan’s bowling line-up, featuring Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Aamer Jamal, looks like one of their strongest in recent times. While Jamal has limited Test experience, his debut series in Australia was impressive, taking 18 wickets. A fully fit Naseem Shah could provide the raw pace that might leave England yearning for the 150kph deliveries of Wood from their previous encounter.
Once the teams take the field, the tension and excitement of Test cricket will take over, but for now, it feels as though the series has been hastily put together. The team that can adapt quickly and shake off any distractions is likely to gain an advantage.
Players to Watch: Abrar Ahmed and Chris Woakes
Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan’s standout performer from England’s last visit, will be one to watch. In his debut match, Ahmed took seven wickets in the first innings and 11 overall, despite England’s attempts to hit him out of the attack. His mystery spin, including his famed carrom ball, could again pose problems for the visitors.
Meanwhile, England’s Chris Woakes will be looking to overcome his underwhelming overseas record. Though his performances in home conditions are stellar, his overseas figures leave much to be desired. However, after an excellent summer, Woakes is poised to make his mark and bring his experience to England’s bowling line-up.
Team News: Pakistan Brings Out the Big Guns
Shan Masood retains his captaincy despite Pakistan’s recent struggles, while Aamer Jamal reenters the fold after overcoming a back issue, reuniting with Afridi and Naseem to form a formidable seam attack. Khurram Shahzad, who starred in the Bangladesh series, misses out due to injury.
England welcomes back Zak Crawley at the top of the order, though Stokes remains unavailable as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. With debutant Brydon Carse joining Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes in the seam attack, England’s bowling line-up has a new look, with Jack Leach set to make his first appearance since the tour of India.
Pitch and Conditions: Multan’s Mixed Bag
The Multan pitch, while carrying some grass, was shaved down before the match, suggesting that reverse swing may not play as significant a role as it did during England’s last visit. The outfield appears greener, but low bounce could still pose a challenge.
Stats and Trivia
- England’s most recent Test in Multan ended in a 26-run victory in December 2022, the last Test held at the venue.
- Pakistan has won three of the previous six Tests played in Multan, including a victory over England in 2005-06. India won by an innings in 2004.
- Joe Root is just 71 runs away from overtaking Alastair Cook’s tally of 12,472 Test runs, which would make him England’s highest-ever Test run-scorer.
Quotes
“We came close to winning last time, but we let the matches slip away. We know how they play, but at the end of the day, we have to see how to tackle it. We are clear in our mind, and that’s why we have named the XI.”
— Shan Masood, Pakistan’s captain, is confident his team can redeem themselves after their 3-0 loss to England two years ago.
“We’ve got the skillset to fill that gap that Jimmy’s left. Obviously, it’s never going to be easy, but it’s going to be a great opportunity for those guys to learn and to bowl in some different conditions.”
— Ollie Pope believes England’s seamers can step up in Anderson’s absence.