After a span of 17 years, the English team is in Pakistan to play a 3-match test series. Rawalpindi is set to host the first test between both sides starting tomorrow. When Australia visited Pakistan, the pitches were heavily criticized, and they will be looked at with great interest in this match as well.
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Pakistan’s batters love playing in their home conditions, and they would want to take advantage yet again. Babar Azam would want to bounce back after an average T20 World Cup. Haris Rauf will be leading the pace attack in the absence of Shaheen Afridi. Nauman Ali is the most senior spinner of the side.
England have already announced their playing 11, where Liam Livingstone has been handed his test debut. This is an interesting team as Ben Duckett has been named the opener, and they have gone with just one specialist spinner in Jack Leach. Ben Stokes will play a huge part in this one.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch report tomorrow match
The track in Rawalpindi has been a good track for batting like any normal sub-continent track. In the initial days of the match, the pacers can get some advantage, and as the match goes on, the spinners can certainly play a part later on. However, it is certain that the batters will have a good time out there in the middle.
The last test here was played between Pakistan and Australia earlier this year, and a flat track was made for that match that was criticized by many. A total of 1187 runs were scored in that match at the loss of just 14 wickets, and it ended in a draw. Pakistan’s Imam ul Haq scored centuries in both innings.
With winter approaching, the track may assist the seamers on a fresh wicket, but it will definitely get slow down, and the spinners will be really crucial in this match. The average 1st innings score here is 311 runs, whereas the average 4th innings score is 173 runs. So, it is clear that both captains would aim to bat first upon winning the toss.
