Followers are positioned on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium’s pitch which is about to host third Check between England and Pakistan on this picture taken on October 21, 2024. — AFP
RAWALPINDI: The pitch for the series-deciding Check between Pakistan and England is underneath scrutiny after massive followers had been positioned in an try to dry the floor with a purpose to replicate final week’s spin-led success within the third Check set to begin on Thursday on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (tomorrow).
Pakistan’s gamble utilizing the identical pitch for a second recreation working paid off in Multan, as they pulled off a 152-run series-levelling win final week to stage the three-match collection 1-1.
The nationwide aspect, within the second Multan Check, was helped to all 20 England wickets by left-arm spinner Noman Ali and right-armer Sajid Khan as England crumbled to 144 all out chasing a troublesome 297-run goal.
Impressed by their success in Multan, Pakistan had been deploying windbreaks, industrial-sized followers, and patio heaters to parch the strip — hoping to win their first collection since beating South Africa in 2021.
England head coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes inspected the pitch at size forward of the staff’s follow on Tuesday.
“Everybody goes and looks at the wicket and everybody says something different,” England batter Harry Brook instructed reporters.
“Hopefully it’s like any other Pakistani pitch and it’s good to bat on for the first few days and then hopefully we get some turn out on it at the back end of the game,” he remarked.
Contemplating the prospect of a spin battle, the guests have included leg-break bowler Rehan Ahmed as a 3rd spinner, to complement Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir.
Quick bowler Gus Atkinson additionally is available in with the tempo duo of Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse overlooked.
Pakistan are prone to maintain the identical second Check mixture of three spinners with only one seamer.
“We are trying to have the same kind of pitch that can favour us as we want to win the match,” mentioned left-handed batter Saud Shakeel.
The win in Multan was Pakistan’s first in 11 house Assessments and got here after England received the primary, additionally in Multan, by an innings and 47 runs.