Pakistan Makes Bold Changes Ahead of Second Test Against England

Pakistan announces major changes for the second Test against England, adding three specialist spinners to tackle recent poor performance. / Getty

Pakistan has announced a significant overhaul of their squad for the second Test against England in Multan, opting for three specialist spinners in a bid to turn around their fortunes after a dismal performance in the first Test. The match is set to take place on the same pitch, which is expected to favor spin, following extensive discussions among the new selection panel and coaching staff.

Squad Adjustments

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the playing XI that includes finger spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, alongside wrist spinner Zahid Mahmood. Kamran Ghulam is set to make his debut, stepping in for the rested Babar Azam at No. 4. This comes after the team's historic loss in the first Test, where they became the first side to lose a Test by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in their first innings.

Pakistan XI for second Test vs England: 

Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Zahid Mahmood

Strategic Decisions

The changes were made following a rigorous training session where selectors Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, and Aaqib Javed, along with Shan Masood and head curator Tony Hemming, analyzed the pitch conditions. Reports indicate that the selectors instructed the pitch curator to prepare a surface conducive to spin bowling from day one, as Pakistan aims to exploit the deteriorating wicket.

Noman Ali, who last represented Pakistan in July 2023, is eager to make his mark, while Zahid Mahmood returns after previously featuring against England in December 2022. Sajid Khan, who has prior experience with spin-friendly conditions, is expected to lead the bowling attack alongside the two new spinners.

Performance Expectations

Kamran Ghulam’s inclusion reflects the team's need for consistency in the batting order. The 29-year-old has an impressive first-class record, averaging 49.72 with 13 centuries since the start of 2023. He was initially overlooked for the first Test but now gets his chance to shine on the international stage.

With this new lineup, Pakistan is desperate to end a six-match losing streak in Tests, all under Masood's captaincy, and to secure a win at home for the first time since February 2021. The team's recent struggles have placed considerable pressure on the captain and selectors to make bold moves to revitalize the squad.

As the second Test approaches, Pakistan's focus will be on harnessing their spin resources effectively, aiming to rebound from their recent failures and make a strong statement against a formidable England side. The match will commence on Tuesday, with live coverage available from 5:30 AM (local time).