Following England’s emphatic victory over Pakistan by 47 runs and an innings in the first Test, the teams are set to face off again for the second Test on October 7, 2024, at the Multan Cricket Stadium. England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach once again paid dividends, with a comprehensive win that left Pakistan reeling. As the teams gear up for the second encounter, the pressure will be on Pakistan to bounce back and level the series, while England will aim to maintain their momentum and wrap up the series early.
Teams Overview
Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, will need to regroup quickly after their defeat in the first Test. Their batting collapse in the second innings, coupled with the lack of potency in the bowling attack, exposed weaknesses that need addressing. The home side is expected to make tactical adjustments, particularly in their batting order and spin attack, to put up a better fight.
England, under Ben Stokes, has been flying high with their bold and fearless Test cricket style. The visitors came into this series with a clear plan and executed it perfectly in the first Test. England will be confident heading into the second match, especially after their bowlers, led by James Anderson and Mark Wood, tore through the Pakistan lineup. Their strategy of relentless pressure, both with bat and ball, has proven difficult for Pakistan to counter so far.
Key Players to Watch
Pakistan
- Babar Azam – The Pakistan captain was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise lacklustre first Test. His ability to anchor the innings and play long, composed knocks will be critical if Pakistan is to post competitive totals.
- Shaheen Afridi – Afridi struggled to make a major impact on the first Test, but the left-arm pacer remains a key player. His ability to get early breakthroughs will be crucial to giving Pakistan an advantage, particularly in the first innings.
- Abrar Ahmed – The young leg-spinner had flashes of brilliance in the first Test and will be relied upon even more in the second match. On a turning Multan pitch, he could play a pivotal role in containing England’s aggressive batting.
- Sarfaraz Ahmed – Pakistan’s experienced wicketkeeper-batsman needs to offer more stability in the middle order. His experience and ability to handle pressure will be vital, especially in a situation where Pakistan’s batting collapses.
England
- Joe Root – England’s batting maestro Root was instrumental in their victory on the first Test with his calm and controlled batting. His ability to play spin and rotate strike will be key once again on a turning Multan track.
- Ben Stokes – England’s captain, continues to inspire his side, both with his leadership and all-round abilities. Stokes’ aggressive approach with the bat and his knack for picking crucial wickets make him a match-winner.
- James Anderson – The veteran fast bowler was unplayable at times in the first Test. Anderson’s ability to extract movement from the surface, even on subcontinental pitches, makes him a constant threat to Pakistan’s top order.
- Mark Wood – The raw pace of Mark Wood gave Pakistan’s batters plenty of headaches in the first Test. His aggressive bowling will again be a key weapon for England, especially on the fast-deteriorating Multan pitch.
Head-to-Head in Test Cricket
England: 30
Pakistan: 21
Drawn: 39
Pitch Report – Multan Cricket Stadium
The Multan pitch for the second Test is expected to follow the same pattern as the first match. The surface will likely start hard and good for batting in the first two days before it begins to break up, aiding the spinners significantly from Day 3 onwards. The slow nature of the track will test the patience of batters, and as the cracks open up, both reverse swing and spin will come into play.
Teams will need to capitalize on the first two days, as batting becomes increasingly difficult as the game progresses. Pakistan will be keen to use their spinners effectively, but they will need to bat well enough to give their bowlers a chance to apply pressure.
Probable Playing XI
Pakistan
- Saim Ayub
- Abdullah Shafique
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel
- Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
- Salman Ali Agha
- Aamir Jamal
- Nauman Ali
- Zahid Mehmood
- Sajid Khan
- Shan Masood (C)
England
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Joe Root
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Harry Brook
- Jonny Bairstow (wk)
- Chris Woakes
- Mark Wood
- Jack Leach
- James Anderson
- Ollie Robinson
Live Streaming:
India: No TV channel will broadcast this series
Pakistan: ASports, Ten Sports and Tamasha TV (App)
Match details:
The first Test of a three-match Test series between Pakistan and England will be played on October 15 at Multan Cricket Stadium. The match will start at 10:30 am (PST), 11:00 (IST) and 5:30 am (GMT)
Match Predictions and Possible Scenarios
England’s confidence will be sky-high after their commanding performance in the first Test, and they will be looking to clinch the series with another win. Their aggressive approach with both bat and ball makes them the favourites, especially given Pakistan’s struggles in handling England’s pace and spin.
For Pakistan, the key to levelling the series will be their batting. Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, and Saud Shakeel need to lay solid foundations, while the middle order must step up to counter England’s relentless bowling attack. In the bowling department, Pakistan’s spinners, particularly Abrar Ahmed, will be crucial if they are to trouble England on the turning Multan pitch.
