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PCB Inducts Huge Heaters And Fans To Dry Rawalpindi Pitch Ahead Of PAK vs ENG 3rd Test

Visuals of Rawalpindi picts ahead of Pakistan-England third Test (@_FaridKhan/X.com)Visuals of Rawalpindi picts ahead of Pakistan-England third Test (@_FaridKhan/X.com)

The Rawalpindi pitch underwent an unusual preparation ahead of the third Test between Pakistan and England, with heaters being employed to dry the surface. The external heat is expected to eliminate the moisture from the surface, leading to favourable conditions for spinners. This comes after the hosts won the second Test on a track turner at Multan.

Pakistan went from being a dead team in Test cricket to toppling the giant nation of England in the second Test held at Multan. With the pitch 5-6 days old, spinners produced significant degrees of turns and hosts capitalised on the conditions as each of England's 20 wickets went to spin duo, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali.

Rawalpindi pitch likely to favour spinners!

Pakistan ended up beating England by 152 runs and levelled the three-game series 1-1. With the secret to success at home finally cracked, Pakistan management now aims to eliminate England's Bazball approach in the third Test scheduled at Rawalpindi. 

As per latest visuals from the Pindi ground shared by Farid Khan on X, the pitch is being dried with external heaters and large size commercial fans from both ends to eliminate the moisture, thus raising the possibility of more turn and variable bounce during the game.

Historically, the Rawalpindi pitch has been known to favour batters, as seen during the 2022 Pakistan-Australia series, where high scores and drawn matches were common. However, this attempt to alter the surface with heaters is likely aimed at providing more assistance to bowlers, especially spinners.

Local reports suggest that Pakistan's management is keen to prepare a track that will challenge England's attacking style of play, which has thrived on flatter pitches. A dry surface, combined with warm weather, could help spinners like Sajid Khan and Noman Ali to once again exploit turn and bounce as the match wears on.

Sajid, Noman scripts special feat with 20 wickets in Multan

Pakistan secured a historic Test win at home after nearly four years, defeating England by 152 runs in Multan. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali took combined 20 English wickets, scripting history.

This rare feat of two bowlers taking all 20 wickets in a Test match has only been achieved six times before in cricket history. Sajid and Noman became just the second Pakistani pair to do so, following in the footsteps of Fazal Mahmood and Khan Mohammad.