On Monday, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in the opening Test against England at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Captain Shan Masood stated at the toss, “We want to change things and get back on track.” He noted that the team had selected two spinners and three fast bowlers for the match.
Following a demoralizing series whitewash against Bangladesh, Masood’s team is seeking redemption on their home turf, having suffered five consecutive Test losses.
The three-match series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. The first two matches will occur in Multan, with the third scheduled from October 24 to 28 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
England, led by Ollie Pope in the first Test due to Ben Stokes’ absence from a hamstring injury sustained in the Hundred League, faces challenges without key player James Anderson, who is participating in Scotland’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Pakistan’s lineup for the match includes three pacers and the mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed. “This is our best playing XI… Aamir Jamal’s inclusion will be beneficial. We have maintained our batting lineup to ensure consistency,” Masood explained.
England’s coach, Brendon McCullum, has warned his team that replicating their 2022 success in Pakistan could be difficult, especially given the intense heat in Multan. This statement follows England’s impressive 3-0 victory last year on Pakistani soil, which stands out given that England had won only two of the 24 previous Tests in Pakistan.
