Multan – Pakistan on Monday elected to bat first in the opening match of the three-Test series against England at Multan Cricket Stadium, adding another chapter to their historic rivalry.
Captain Shan Masood led squad is under pressure, seeking first Test victory after a disappointing home series against Bangladesh. This series is a vital opportunity for him and his team to rebound.
England arrives with confidence, having previously swept Pakistan 3-0 in their last series in 2022. Although they will be without key all-rounder Ben Stokes due to a hamstring injury, the depth of their squad and recent form under new captain Ollie Pope make them formidable opponents. Pakistan will look to challenge this resilient England side.
The pitch in Multan is expected to be beneficial for batting initially, but spinners are likely to play a crucial role as the match progresses. Both teams will need to stay focused, especially with the potential for reverse swing in the dry conditions.
Seasoned player Babar Azam will be crucial with the bat, supported by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. The return of Shaheen Shah Afridi enhances the pace attack, while Saud Shakeel will aim to provide stability in the middle order.
For England, Joe Root is on the verge of becoming England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer and will be key to the batting lineup. Young players like Ollie Pope and Harry Brook are expected to contribute significantly, and spinner Jack Leach will look to exploit the spin-friendly conditions.
Pakistan squad
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Zahid Mehmood.
England squad
Ben Stokes (C), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
Test series schedule
- 7-11 Oct – First Test, Multan
- 15-19 Oct – Second Test, Multan
- 24-28 Oct – Third Test, Rawalpindi
