Pakistan vs England: Multan pitch plan a compliment to tourists

October 19

The non-review when Muhammad Rizwan edged Matthew Potts in the first innings was a continuation of some dismal recent use of DRS. Rizwan had six and went on to make an important 41.

England were arguably favourites when they reached 211-2 in their first innings, then lost eight wickets for 80 runs. From that point until the end of the match, England were 224-18, which is extreme on any surface.

The final nail was Salman Agha being dropped by Jamie Smith and Joe Root in the same Brydon Carse over on the third afternoon.

Stokes himself was as angry as he has ever been on the field during his tenure as captain and later apologised to the team in the dressing room. That says something about how important those two moments were. For wicketkeeper Smith, it was the biggest error in his short and impressive Test career to date and a situation to keep an eye on.

If it sounds like a pile-on of the tourists, it’s not the intention, because there were positives too. Carse looks a real find, potentially a huge asset for an Ashes in Australia. Stokes’ return from a hamstring injury was welcome, particularly for Shoaib Bashir, who grew in stature with the all-rounder back at the helm.

More broadly, this was another Test on the subcontinent where England have been outspun, though after next week it will not be a problem they will have to consider for some time.

Since the beginning of 2021, England have had five series in Asia. Two here, two in India and one in Sri Lanka. This decade, their eight wins on this continent is more than they managed in the 1970s, 80s and 90s combined. Their next trip is not until two Tests in Bangladesh in early 2027.

And so to Rawalpindi, and a proper series decider – one where the teams are level going into the final match. England haven’t had one of those since the home series against South Africa in 2022, the first Bazball summer.

One wonders when the Rawalpindi groundsman got a call to change his previous plans for the pitch.

In the first of two Tests against Bangladesh on that ground in August, Pakistan did not play a frontline spinner. Now there might not be a need for a seamer, with Masood confirming he wants another turner.

If a fresh pitch had been prepared, it may soon be excavated by a JCB.

England should be flattered.

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