Ben Stokes To Go Spin Heavy As England Playing XI Announced For Series Decider Vs Pakistan

Stokes includes three spinners for 3rd Test [Source: @EnglandCricFans/X.com]

England have announced their playing XI for the third Test at Rawalpindi, starting from October 24. Interestingly, the Three Lions have gone in with three specialist spinners, suggesting that the track will help the slow bowlers.

The visitors won the first Test convincingly, and this was despite the fact that Pakistan scored in excess of 550-runs in their first innings. In reply, England posted a mammoth 823, with Harry Brook scoring a triple ton.

Pakistan pressed the panic button and prepared a rank turner for the second Test at Multan, and it paid dividend as the side decimated England by 152 runs to level up the series. Earlier, reports suggested that Pakistan are preparing a spin-track to trap the English batters, and England's playing XI justifies the rumours.

England press panic button, include two spinners in playing XI

Pace bowling duo of Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse have been left out of the playing XI, and in their place, Rehan Ahmed and Gus Atkinson are included. Jack Leach will play as the third spinner alongside Shoaib Bashir.

The rest of the squad remains the same with England trying to find answers after their disastrous batting performance in the second Test match. Lots of questions will be asked to skipper Ben Stokes, who failed in both the innings of the 2nd Test.

Barring the two changes, the rest of the squad will remain the same as the visitors will look to win the series.

England playing XI for 3rd Test

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir

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