However, with Pakistan going through a dearth of quality spin bowling of late combined with their frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed ending up in hospital during the first Test, the decision to double down on spin remains a remarkable turnaround. Just two months earlier in Rawalpindi, against Bangladesh, Pakistan had contentiously fielded an all-seam attack, pointing at least in part to sort of pitches they had asked for at home.
With Pakistan’s first class-season yet to begin, none of the three incoming spinners has the sort of recent red-ball experience that would be useful with a challenge as formidable as this England side. Noman last played a first-class game in October 2023, while Mahmood and Sajid have not played one since January this year
If captain Shan Masood (or Mohammad Rizwan) doesn’t roll his arm over in Multan, it will be the first time that Pakistan will have only one pace-bowling option in a men’s Test.
ESPNcricinfo has learnt there was a spirited debate among the selection committee members about the final composition of the squad, which had not been announced when assistant coach Azhar Mahmood came out for the pre-match press conference. He even acknowledged the reason for the delay in the squad announcement was discussion on the “11th” name in the squad; the selectors had considered fielding one more pace bowler. Ultimately, though confidence that the pitch would take excessive turn won out giving Pakistan’s bowling attack a drastically different look to the one that started the season three Tests earlier.
Pakistan XI for second Test vs England
Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (capt), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mehmood.
Danyal Rasool is ESPNcricinfo’s Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000
Source: ESPN Crickinfo