MULTAN: Pakistan will face England in a three-Test series beginning on Monday in Multan, with the visitors heading into the contest as favourites, seeking to further exploit Pakistan’s ongoing struggle in Test cricket.
England’s last tour of Pakistan in 2022 ended with a historic 3-0 clean sweep, the first-ever by a visiting team in Pakistan. Pakistan has since been winless in their last 10 home Test matches, and the upcoming series offers a crucial chance for redemption.
Despite England’s favourites’ tag, they will be missing their inspirational all-rounder and captain, Ben Stokes, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Stokes’ absence in the first Test, and potentially beyond, could weaken the visitors, though their squad remains strong. They travel with an inexperienced pace attack following the retirements of seasoned bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Currently ranked third in the ICC Test rankings, five spots above Pakistan, England’s challenge will be overcoming unfamiliar South Asian conditions with their new-look pace battery. The tourists will be keen to replicate their previous success on Pakistani soil.
Pakistan, known for their unpredictable performances, have been grappling with disappointing results recently, including a shock 2-0 defeat against lower-ranked Bangladesh last month. The national team is desperate to turn their fortunes around, particularly after the string of losses at home.
Shan Masood, Pakistan’s captain, has endured a tough time leading the side, with five consecutive defeats under his belt. However, he remains optimistic ahead of the crucial series, saying his team is motivated to bounce back.
“We took steps in the right direction in Australia despite losing, but we could not carry that momentum into the Bangladesh series,” Masood said this week. “We are eager to stage a comeback in this important series.”
All eyes will be on Babar Azam, Pakistan’s star batsman, who recently stepped down as the white-ball captain to focus on his batting. Babar is enduring a lean patch, having gone 16 Test innings without a half-century. The upcoming series will be a litmus test for his renewed focus on his batting, as Pakistan looks to their premier player to anchor the team.
Captain Shan Masood backed his star player, saying, “We all know how good a player he is. The good thing is that he is not out of form, and we hope he is just one innings away from producing his best.”
Pakistan will also look to their pace spearheads, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, to dent England’s powerful batting line-up. Shaheen, who missed the 2022 series due to a knee injury, will be eager to make his mark, while Naseem’s pace will be key to Pakistan’s efforts to claim 20 wickets in the Test matches.
England will aim to continue their aggressive brand of cricket, but Stokes has warned his side to remain adaptable. “I know that Shan Masood has been asking for quicker, more lively wickets for their fast bowlers. Last time we were there, the pitches were slow, dry, and spun a bit,” Stokes said before the team’s arrival. “We’ve got to go there with an open mind about what we’re going to get.”
