RAWALPINDI: As both teams anticipate another dry wicket that will be favorable to the slow bowlers, Pakistan has retained their spin-heavy team for the series-deciding third Test against England, which begins on Thursday.
With the assistance of industrial-sized fans and outdoor heaters, the groundsmen at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium have been attempting to dry out the field for the past four days as Pakistan attempt to replicate their spin-driven success in Multan, which ended a run of home victories dating back to 2021.
On a recycled wicket in Multan, left-arm spinner Noman Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan took all 20 England wickets in the second Test to even the series at 1-1.
The third specialist slow bowler, leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood, bowled six wicketless overs in England’s first innings and was not even required in the second innings as the visitors folded for 144 against Ali and Khan to lose the second Test by 152 runs. England had won the series opener by an innings after posting a record-breaking 823-7 score, with Harry Brook scoring a triple century and Joe Root making a career-best 262. England had won the series opener by an innings
On Wednesday, Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie stated, “It [the wicket] is very dry with not a lot of grass on it.” We probably anticipate that it will favor slower bowlers.
The throw could be pivotal, with the two groups hoping to bat first and expand the effect of their spinners on a weakening pitch.
Gillespie stated, “It [the toss] is a 50-50 call, you always want it to go your way.” That mentality will be present on both teams, but we’ll see.
Gillespie was proud of Pakistan’s progress despite the team’s recent Test cricket struggles.
The former fast bowler for Australia stated, “Any win is significant, and we’re doing well as a support staff, focusing on key areas.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board had decided to bring in a new selection panel to make decisions following the first Test defeat in Multan.
Gillespie remarked, “As head coach, my focus remains on the players and I let the selectors do their job.” We’ll focus on being our best cricket team.
