PAK vs ENG | 1st Test | Preview, Probable Playing XI, Live Streaming, Fantasy Tips

England Cricket Team (Source: Twitter)

Ever since they arrived in Pakistan, the English side have been laid low by either security fears or some virus that has crept into their dressing room causing atleast fourteen to feel the heat. It already has been and will continue to be tough for England when they face Pakistan in the first Test at Rawalpindi in what could be a historic series.

The Three Lions, as usual, will be coming here with their tried and tested ideology of 'Bazball' led by coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes. There's one big surprise that the side is ready to unleash, the Liam Livingstone show. If he makes it big in this format, it would be absolutely destructive, following the laid template.

Pakistan would surely want revenge, for the World Cup Final and T20I series that happened in September end. Without their spearhead Shaheen Afridi, the pace attack is dependent on Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf.

Match Details

Date: Thursday, December 1, 2022
Time: 10:30 AM IST
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Live Broadcast & Streaming: Sony Sports Network & Sony Liv App

Pitch Report: Earlier this year, Pakistan's tracks were under scrutiny for being too flat, and not doing much for any of the bowlers. It will be interesting to see if the pitch does anything different this time around. However, Rawalpindi is expected to be a little more supportive of the pacers in the initial phase while still being heaven for the batters. Scores have traditionally been above 300 in the first innings. With an average of around 30 degrees celsius, the weather would be perfect.

Probable Playing XI

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafiq, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Muhammad Rizwan (wk), Shan Masood, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Liam Livingstone, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson and James Anderson.

Prediction

While not much could be said about this Pakistan side as they were defeated in the last Test they played against Sri Lanka in July. However, England will surely be the favourites if the pitch has something for the seamers considering their veteran James Anderson. Therefore, it is likely for visitors to triumph in this encounter.

Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Wicketkeeper: Mohammad Rizwan, Ben Foakes
Batters: Joe Root, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Ollie Pope, Shan Masood
All-rounders: Ben Stokes
Bowlers: James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Haris Rauf

Captain: Joe Root
Vice-captain: Babar Azam

Also Read: Pakistan vs England Test under the radar after bomb blasts stun Quetta