All-rounder Salman Ali Agha stands as the sole spin-bowling option in the squad, a notable departure from the typical combination seen in Pakistan's Test lineups. Salman, an off-spinner, has consistently contributed in Test matches since 2023 but will not be a primary bowling option in this particular Test. In a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Shan explained the rationale behind this decision, emphasizing Rawalpindi's unique conditions. "In Rawalpindi, whenever we have played domestic cricket, the conditions have favored the seamers and the batters. Spin-bowling hasn't been such a big threat. So we want to take what we do in domestic cricket forward rather than applying something new, which we don't normally get in Rawalpindi," Shan stated. The captain's comments highlight a calculated approach, focusing on exploiting the favorable conditions for fast bowlers at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The pitch in Rawalpindi is known for its assistance to seamers, with spin often playing a minimal role, making this strategic choice logical.