'Climate Difference...' - Saud Shakeel Explains Reason Behind PCB's Debatable Rawalpindi Pitch

Anurag Dasgupta∙ Updated: Oct 22 2024, 7:05 PM | 2 Min Read

Saud Shakeel talks about nature of Pindi pitch [Source: @dhillow_/X.Com]

After a drubbing in the first Test at Multan, Pakistan decided to go back to their roots and dish out a spin surface to trap the high-flying Bazballish English team. The result was there to be seen as Pakistan defeated the visitors by 152 runs to level the series.

Ahead of the third Test in Rawalpindi, Pakistan have struck to their formula and have installed giant heaters to make it more dry so that the surface starts to turn right from the word go. The surface is likely to stay dry, which means there will be awkward bounce to trouble the English batters.

PCB clearly have identified spin as England's weakness and have decided to target it as the home side look to seal the 3-match Test series.

Ahead of the third Test, vice-captain of the Pakistan side, Saud Shakeel attended the pre-game press conference and spoke about the nature of the Pindi pitch. He extensively talked about the climate difference between Multan and Rawalpindi and how it affects the nature of the surface.

"If you look at the difference between Multan and Pindi, there's a difference of climate," Shakeel said. "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," he added.

Pakistan step away from traditional seam-friendly idea

After Test cricket's return to Pakistan, a couple of years ago, PCB wanted seamer friendly decks to support their fast bowlers. It paid dividend until 2021. However, under the regime of ex-chairman, Ramiz Raja, Pakistan started preparing flat tracks.

The result - Pakistan lost Vs Australia, drew Vs New Zealand, lost Vs England, and recently lost Vs Bangladesh.

As a result, the newly formed PCB panel suggested to alter the game-plan and go for spin friendly surfaces to put the opposition under immense pressure.

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