Pakistan announce unchanged playing XI for PAK vs ENG 2024 3rd Test
Pakistan have announced an unchanged playing XI for the third and final Test against England, beginning on October 24 in Rawalpindi. With a series win in sight, the hosts will hope their three-spinner strategy works on a surface likely to turn as the game progresses.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had made wholesale changes to the squad for the second and third Tests against England. The selectors notably dropped Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi following their poor outing in the opening Test.
On the other hand, bringing in the likes of Kamran Ghulam, Sajid Khan, and Noman Ali brought in rich returns. Ghulam, making his debut, batted at No. 4 in the second Test and scored a first-innings hundred. Off-spinner Sajid bagged seven wickets to bowl England out for 291, while left-arm spinner Noman took eight in the fourth to fashion a 152-run win.
Pakistan playing XI for third Test: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (vc), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood.
"If you look at the difference between Multan and Pindi, there's a difference of climate" - Pakistan vice-captain
Pakistan vice-captain Saud Shakeel opened up on the conditions in Rawalpindi, claiming that the venue will support fast bowlers more. Nevertheless, Shakeel said the hosts expect a track similar to the second Test. He said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo:
"If you look at the difference between Multan and Pindi, there's a difference of climate. Multan is warmer than Pindi, Multan is warmer and more humid compared to Pindi. Pindi favours fast bowlers slightly and has more bounce, compared to Multan. The groundsman prepares according to that, and I think that's what causes the changes in the pitch. But the way the pitch looks and the success we got in the second Test, we'll try for a similar kind of pitch that favours us and helps us win this game."
England have also opted for three frontline spinners in their XI for the series decider.