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PAK Vs ENG: England Make Two Changes As Ben Stokes Wins Crucial Toss In Series Decider At Rawalpindi

England won the toss and opted to bat first (Source:@SardarAurangzab/x.com)England won the toss and opted to bat first (Source:@SardarAurangzab/x.com)

The stage is set for a thrilling series decider as Pakistan take on England in the third and final Test match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Both teams enter the contest with the series locked at 1-1 after Pakistan’s remarkable comeback in the second Test in Multan, where the hosts outplayed England on a turning surface. 

With expectations of another spin-friendly wicket, the upcoming clash promises to be a gripping encounter as Pakistan seeks to clinch a rare home series win.

It is important to mention that, both teams have announced their playing XI ahead of the Rawalpindi showdown. Pakistan have opted to stick with the same XI that triumphed in Multan. On the other hand, England has made two changes, bringing in Gus Atkinson and Rehan Ahmed in place of Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse, signalling their intent to adapt to the turning tracks that have favoured Pakistan.

Spinners Dominate: 2nd Test Recap

The second Test in Multan saw Pakistan put on a clinical display with the ball. Batting first, the hosts posted 366 runs, led by a fine century from debutant Kamran Ghulam. His knock of 118 runs off  224 balls anchored the innings, while Saim Ayub chipped in with 77, and contributions from Mohammad Rizwan and Aamir Jamal helped push the total past the 350-mark. 

In response, England’s Ben Duckett smashed a quick-fire 114 off 129 balls, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered. Pakistan’s spinners took control, with Sajid Khan claiming seven wickets and Nauman Ali adding three more, bowling England out for 291.

Pakistan struggled in their second innings, managing only 221 runs. England’s bowlers, led by Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach, put up a disciplined effort to keep the visitors in the game.

However, chasing a modest target in the fourth innings, England’s batsmen were undone by Nauman Ali’s left-arm spin. He claimed eight wickets, while Sajid Khan bagged the remaining two, as Pakistan bowled England out to secure their first home Test win in nearly three years.

PAK VS ENG, 3rd Test: Toss Result

England have won the toss and elected to bat first

PAK vs ENG 3rd Test: Playing XIs

England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir

Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Aamir Jamal, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood