Pakistan men’s cricket team celebrate vs England in Rawalpindi.© AFP

Pakistan will field an unchanged eleven for the decisive third Test against England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, marking the first time under captain Shan Masood that the side has remained consistent across matches. The move comes in the wake of Pakistan’s resounding 152-run victory in the second Test in Multan, where their triple-spin attack outmanoeuvred England. While there had been speculation about a possible change, especially after legspinner Zahid Mahmood bowled just six ineffective overs in Multan, the team’s management, headed by Masood, decided to place their faith in the same lineup. An injury to fast bowler Mir Hamza, Pakistan’s preferred seamer option, further solidified the decision to stick with the current squad.

The unchanged lineup signals Pakistan’s confidence in the drastic efforts being made by the Rawalpindi curators to replicate the spin-friendly conditions of Multan. Historically, Rawalpindi has not been known to take much spin, with fast bowlers finding more success on its traditionally hard, bouncy surface. As recently as August, Pakistan opted for an all-pace attack against Bangladesh on this same pitch.

However, the success of the spin-heavy approach in Multan has prompted a series of unusual preparations in Rawalpindi, with the groundsmen pulling out all the stops. Days before the second Test concluded, curators were already on site, aided by the presence of selection committee members Aleem Dar and Aqib Javed.

Since then, the pitch has been subjected to industrial-sized fans, wedding-style heaters, and protective windbreakers to artificially dry out the surface and encourage spin.

Despite these efforts, questions remain about whether the Rawalpindi pitch will behave as unpredictably as the one in Multan. Some footmarks have already appeared, notably outside the left-hander’s off-stump at the media end, which could offer assistance to Pakistan’s spin trio of Nauman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, and Zahid Mahmood. Both sides, in fact, are set to field similar triple-spin attacks, with England adjusting their own bowling combination to match Pakistan’s.

With the series tied 1-1, Pakistan are aiming for their first home Test series win since a 2-0 win over South Africa in February 2021. A victory in Rawalpindi would also mark their first series win since their success in Sri Lanka earlier this year.

England, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after the setback in Multan, and their decision to match Pakistan’s spin-heavy approach indicates they are expecting another trial by spin.

Pakistan playing XI for the third Test vs England:

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

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has hit back at critics after Pakistan registered a thumping 152-run victory over England in the second Test at Multan. Pakistan had come under immense scrutiny following the decision to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah from the Test squad ahead of the second Test. However, all three of their replacements starred. Kamran Ghulam, Babar’s replacement, notched up a century on Test debut, while spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali picked up all 20 England wickets between themselves.

“Surely not PR agencies,” controversially tweeted Hafeez after the game, in a post possibly aimed at Babar Azam and co.

Pakistan cricket need impactful performances like Kamran Ghulam , Salman Agha 50, Sajid khan 9 wickets & Noman Ali 11 wickets for winning cause. Surely not PR agencies……

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 18, 2024

Pakistan vs England, 2nd Test: As it happened

It was Pakistan’s first home win since February 2021 and came after they were thumped by an innings in the first Test on the same Multan pitch.

The third and final Test starts in Rawalpindi on October 24.

Noman finished with a match haul of 11-147 while Sajid had figures of 9-204, only the second time in Pakistan’s history that two bowlers took all 20 wickets in a Test.

Pakistan’s last Test win at home came against South Africa in Rawalpindi more than three years ago. It was followed by 11 home Tests without a win.

This also becomes Shan Masood‘s first win as skipper after getting the job last year, including 3-0 and 2-0 whitewashes at the hands of Australia and Bangladesh.

Pakistan’s ploy of dropping ace batsman Babar Azam in one of four changes after the first Test and playing on a reused pitch with three spinners paid off handsomely.

Azam’s replacement, debutant Kamran Ghulam, made a century to anchor Pakistan’s first-innings 366.

Masood praised his side for their character.

“The first one (win) for me and long awaited for the team is always special,” said Masood.

“This has come after some rough times and the boys stepped in after a lot has happened this past week.”

The captain, who like his team had been under fierce pressure in cricket-mad Pakistan, added: “We came up with a strategy to get 20 wickets and we made it happen.

“We were never afraid of taking risks. Three years and 11 months creates hunger, so it’s good to win at home.”

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood praised Kamran Ghulam for rising to the challenge of replacing Babar Azam amid the backlash from fans. Ghulam was one of the names that popped up when Pakistan’s historic victory was discussed across the globe. He certainly had his say in ending Pakistan’s first Test win at home since February 2021. But the journey wasn’t easy for him.

Pakistan’s selection committee took everyone by surprise after dropping the former Pakistan captain from the remaining two Tests against England.

Ghulam was handed his maiden Test cap and placed to fill Babar’s position as Pakistan hunted to level down the series. The batting all-rounder was at the receiving end of criticism from some sections of fans before and during the Test.

Despite a tough time, the 29-year-old showed grit and resilience against a fierce English bowling line-up to keep Pakistan in the thick of the action. With an array of shots, he kept the opposition on their toes and smashed 118 off 124 deliveries.

Masood, impressed by the Ghulam’s “special” century, extended his support after the backlash and admitted that the challenge of filling Babar’s shoes wasn’t going to be an easy challenge.

“For Kami (Kamran Ghulam), it’s never easy. When you are replacing one of the best batters in the world. I read some things that were horrid even before he played his first Test match. I can’t even imagine the pressure that someone can be under. But we were all behind him. From the get-go, he seemed like he belonged. To get that century, that’s special,” Masood said in the post-match presentation.

While Ghulam’s knock set the tone of the Test for Pakistan, it was Noman Ali and Sajid Khan who dictated the outcome with their spin prowess.

The duo took all 20 wickets in the second Test, leaving England completely baffled in the process. While Sajid starred with his figures of 7/111 in the first innings, the plaudits belonged to Noman in the second innings for his splendid effort of 8/46.

With a 125-run victory, Pakistan levelled the series at 1-1, taking the series decider to Rawalpindi, beginning on October 24.

Former cricketer Basit Ali rooted for Babar Azam to return to the Pakistan setup after being dropped from the squad for the second and third home Tests against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reconstituted the new selection committee an hour after Pakistan’s historic loss by innings and 47 runs in the opening Test, the star quartet featuring Babar, former captain Sarfraz Ahmed and speedsters Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were left out of the team.

Babar’s exclusion came as a surprise to many, and left former cricketers and fan bases sharing different opinions about the decision.

But some experts and analysts expected the decision to be made on the back of Babar’s struggle to score a fifty for the past 18 Test innings.

With Babar’s replacement, Kamran Ghulam made a name for himself with a century on his Test debut, the 30-year-old’s return to the squad further became a heated topic for discussion.

But Basit backed the former captain to return to the team and believes that Babar’s once again featuring imminent after the conclusion of the two Tests.

“He still has a place in the team. He will return to the team after two Test matches,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.

Apart from Babar being dropped from the squad, his successor in the white-ball captaincy remains another matter that the PCB needs to resolve.

Babar’s decision came days before Pakistan’s three Tests against England, which began in Multan. According to the rumour mill and various reports, a couple of names have entered the fray for the vacant position.

But Basit believes there are only two candidates suited for the role, “Mohammad Rizwan or Salman Agha will be the next white-ball captain.”

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Babar’s decision to step down from captaincy reflected his desire “to focus more on making a greater impact as a player.”

During his first stint as Pakistan skipper, which began in 2019, he guided the Men in Green to the T20 World Cup semi-finals and final in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

However, after a promising string of results, Pakistan started to slump across all formats. Last year, Pakistan was knocked out of the Asia Cup in the Super Four stage. The downfall continued after Pakistan returned home from the group stage of the ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

He decided to step down from the captaincy, with Shaheen Shah Afridi named his successor. Babar’s second stint began after the PCB decided to reinstate him as the skipper, months before the T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan failed to qualify from Group A after enduring defeats against the USA and arch-rival India. After a poor string of results in his second stint, Babar eventually decided to drop the burden of captaincy from his shoulders once again.

Kamran Ghulam in action for Pakistan against England© AFP

Pakistan vs England, 2nd Test Day 2, Live Updates© AFP

Pakistan cricket team batter Kamran Ghulam impressed everyone on debut as he slammed a gritty century on Day 1 of the second Test match against England on Tuesday. Ghulam looked at ease against the England bowlers and he ended up scoring 118 off 224 deliveries with the help of 11 fours and 1 six. The 29-year-old replaced Babar Azam in the starting XI after the former Pakistan captain was dropped following a dismal run. Following the ton, Babar took to social media to congratulate Ghulam on his achievement as he wrote on his Instagram story – “Well played Kamran”.

Kamran Ghulam hit a superb century on his debut to guide Pakistan to 259-5 on the opening day of the second Test against England in Multan on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old replaced out-of-form Babar Azam at number four and foiled England’s aggressive bowling and fielding to score 118.

At close of an even day’s play, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha were unbeaten with 37 and five respectively.

The day ended Ghulam’s frustrating long wait for a place in the Pakistan team after he smashed a national record 1,249 runs in the 2020 domestic season.

Ghulam led a fightback after the hosts, who won the toss, were struggling at 19-2 with England spinner Jack Leach striking twice in the first hour.

Ghulam added 149 for the defiant third wicket with Saim Ayub, who hit a career-best 77, and another 65 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan.

He reached three figures with a boundary off spinner Joe Root, taking 280 minutes and becoming Pakistan’s 12th batter to score a century in his first Test.

With just half an hour before stumps, Ghulam was bowled by spinner Shoaib Bashir, ending a resolute 323-minute knock spiced with 11 fours and a six.

Ghulam said his century was a reward for his wait.

“It is delightful to score a hundred and that too as a replacement for Babar Azam, who has been a great player for Pakistan,” said Ghulam, who had a big let-off on 79 when Ben Duckett failed to get a difficult chance off Leach.

“I saw that with a bated breath but Almighty was so kind on me,” said Ghulam. 

(With AFP inputs)

Kamran Ghulam in action for Pakistan against England© AFP

Kamran Ghulam hit a superb century on his debut to guide Pakistan to 259-5 on the opening day of the second Test against England in Multan on Tuesday. The 29-year-old replaced out-of-form Babar Azam at number four and foiled England’s aggressive bowling and fielding to score 118. At close of an even day’s play, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha were unbeaten with 37 and five respectively. The day ended Ghulam’s frustrating long wait for a place in the Pakistan team after he smashed a national record 1,249 runs in the 2020 domestic season. Ghulam led a fightback after the hosts, who won the toss, were struggling at 19-2 with England spinner Jack Leach striking twice in the first hour.

Ghulam added 149 for the defiant third wicket with Saim Ayub, who hit a career-best 77, and another 65 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan.

He reached three figures with a boundary off spinner Joe Root, taking 280 minutes and becoming Pakistan’s 12th batter to score a century in his first Test.

With just half an hour before stumps, Ghulam was bowled by spinner Shoaib Bashir, ending a resolute 323-minute knock spiced with 11 fours and a six.

Ghulam said his century was a reward for his wait.

“It is delightful to score a hundred and that too as a replacement for Babar Azam, who has been a great player for Pakistan,” said Ghulam, who had a big letoff on 79 when Ben Duckett failed to get a difficult chance off Leach.

“I saw that with a bated breath but Almighty was so kind on me,” said Ghulam. 

“I just took it as a normal first-class match and never took the pressure of a bad start to the team’s innings.”

One of a dozen brothers, Ghulam said his century will be celebrated among his big family in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

One brother was there in person.

“It is a family occasion now with my younger brother watching in the stadium, so I am proud of the feat,” he said.

England too will be satisfied after an absorbing day’s play.

They employed a short mid-off and two mid-wicket fielders to get wickets after lunch but the Multan pitch — the same used for the first Test — gave very little help to the spinners after some early promise.

Skipper Ben Stokes, one of two changes from England’s thumping innings win in the first Test, bowled five overs and showed no signs of the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the first Test.

Matthew Potts ended Ayub’s knock when the batsman patted to Stokes at short mid-off while Brydon Carse removed Saud Shakeel for four, the dismissals coming either side of the tea interval. 

Leach has figures of 2-92 while Bashir, Carse and Potts have a wicket each.

Abdullah Shafique was bowled by Leach for seven in the eighth over of the morning with the score on 15.

In his next over, the left-arm spinner had skipper Shan Masood caught low at short midwicket by Zak Crawley for three.

England lead the three-match series 1-0.

Pakistan’s heavy defeat last week — their sixth in as many Tests — prompted the selectors to make wholesale changes, with Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed dropped.

Other than Ghulam, Pakistan also brought in the spin trio of Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood and Noman Ali, leaving them with only one fast bowler in Aamer Jamal.