Explained: Why Pakistan are playing on same Multan pitch for successive Tests

sanjeev

khelja|15-10-2024

In a tectonic shift in strategy, Pakistan are set to use a used pitch for the second Test against England in Multan. Quite a few have been spooked by the look of the pitch in the lead-up to the second Test as it looks dry and already has cracks.
The opening day of the second Test will effectively be played on a Day 6 pitch at the Multan Cricket Ground.  was heavily scrutinised after it was titled heavily towards the batters. Pakistan scored 556 runs in the first innings and yet went on to face an innings defeat, becoming the first team in the history of Test cricket to do so. The bowlers, especially the ones from Pakistan, struggled to trouble the England batters. The visitors, riding on Harry Brook's 317 and Joe Root's 262, posted 823 -- the highest total in the history of Test cricket in Pakistan and the fourth-highest total in the traditional format. In response, Pakistan, who toiled hard on the field for close to two days, were bundled out for 220. Pakistan are desperate for a change in fortunes after having gone as many as 11 Tests without a win, losing seven of them. Pakistan, after dropping Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi, and a lone fast bowler in Aamer Jamal. Former England fast bowler Steven Finn gave a glimpse of the pitch on the eve of the Test. There were dry patches and cracks already, and they are expected to allow lateral movement for the fast bowlers and assistance to spin early in the Test match. The footmarks are already evident, suggesting the ball would dominate the bat in the second Test. "We are about to see something that I have never seen before in Test match cricket. The second Test between Pakistan and England is being played on the same pitch as the first one. Why would Pakistan do that?" Steven Finn told the Test Match Special.  
  "They are desperate for the ball to move laterally and those cracks and the foot holes that you can see behind me are lot drier and barer than they were at the end of the first Test match. The ball will be reacting off the corners of those cracks. The dryness of the surface, it gives the Pakistan bowlers the opportunity to take 20 English wickets. "But, England are well-equipped to deal with that. They have got the batters, we saw that in the first Test and they have got the bowlers - Leach and Bashir to be able to take 20 wickets themselves. I don't think they will be scared," he said. PAKISTAN PICK SPIN-HEAVY XI Pakistan's assistant coach Azhar Mahmood explained the shift in strategy. Pakistan left out spinner Abrar Ahmed, who has been battling an injury. However, they included Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mahmood. Pakistan are betting big on three experienced spinners, but they have not played first-class cricket in more close to 10 months. Salman Ali Agha can offer a part-time spin bowling option to the line-up. "Look, you have to take 20 wickets. On the pitch we are going to use, we have to think about how to take 20 wickets. We thought against England if we go with spin, try to dominate with spin, we have a chance of taking 20 wickets," he added. BEN STOKES SURPRISED While Pakistan are giving themselves the best opportunity to pick 20 wickets, England are confident that they will be able to master the conditions with their proven spin-bowling attack comprising Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir.  of captain Ben Stokes while Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes have been rested. "Using the used pitch brings a lot more into the game for both teams, actually. If it spins and reverses more, there are more options for both teams. Could be a tactic. Never seen the same pitch being used for back-to-back games, Pakistan are looking to bring the dead Multan pitch back to life. While it's a welcome change, it remains to be seen if it would backfire on the hosts.
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