MULTAN, Pakistan: Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and chose to bat in the second Test against England, being held in Multan. However, the host faced early setback as English bowlers dismissed Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood. England currently leads the three-match series 1-0, following an emphatic innings and 47-run victory in the first Test. Pakistan, facing pressure after their sixth consecutive Test loss, made several key changes to their lineup.
Match Updates
Pakistan: (9.4 ov) 19/2
England
Ace batsman Babar Azam has been dropped, along with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, and spinner Abrar Ahmed, who had been unwell. Debutant Kamran Ghulam will fill Azam’s spot, while Pakistan’s bowling attack will feature three spinners: Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood, and Noman Ali. The only pace bowler in their lineup is Aamer Jamal.
England also made adjustments, welcoming back captain Ben Stokes from a hamstring injury and bringing in fast bowler Matthew Potts. Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes have been rested for this match. The third and final Test of the series is set to begin on October 24 in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood.
England: Ben Stokes (captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.
