Pakistan are considering changes to the Pakistan playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord’s on August 27 after losing the series opener by an innings and 120 runs.
Sources said on Sunday that team management will assess conditions in London before finalising the side for the second match of the three-Test series.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could be rested, while Pakistan are hopeful that Babar Azam will return after missing the first Test with a finger injury.
If Babar is declared fit, top-order batter Azan Awais is likely to make way.
Pakistan are also considering playing two specialist spinners because team management expects relatively dry conditions and a flatter surface at Lord’s. Right-arm pacer Ubaid Shah is another player in contention.
England won the first Test at Headingley after dismissing Pakistan for 118 in their second innings. The tourists had trailed by 238 runs after England’s first innings.
Read: Pakistan Test Collapse Leaves England on Top at Headingley
Stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha said after the defeat that England had outplayed Pakistan and pointed to repeated mistakes, inexperienced batting and the bowlers’ failure to exploit early moisture.
Agha nevertheless backed Pakistan’s pace attack and highlighted performances from Abdullah Shafique and left-arm spinner Ali Usman.
