The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the national squad for the second Test match against England today, following a key meeting of the newly-formed selection committee in Lahore. The committee, which includes Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, and Ahsan Cheema, reviewed the team’s performance after Pakistan’s disheartening loss in the first Test.
With Asad Shafiq joining the session via Zoom, the committee deliberated on potential changes for the upcoming match, with players such as Kamran Ghulam, Nauman Ali, and Zahid Mahmood being considered for selection. The second Test is scheduled for October 15 at Multan Cricket Stadium, and the final squad will be announced after the committee meets with the head curator, head coach, and captain in Multan.
Pakistan’s defeat to England in the first Test was crushing, as they were bowled out for just 220 runs in their second innings, losing by an innings and 47 runs. Despite a strong start, with Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal scoring half-centuries, the team couldn’t prevent a collapse on day four, which left fans disappointed.
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The pitch conditions in Pakistan have been a growing concern, with extremely flat surfaces making it difficult for bowlers to take wickets. England’s massive 823-run total and the 1379 runs scored in the first two innings of the match underscored the challenge. Since Test cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019, bowlers have struggled, with an average of nearly 40 runs per wicket — the worst in the world. Multan, along with Rawalpindi and Karachi, has become one of the venues where bowlers face immense difficulties, with bowling averages exceeding 40 runs per wicket.
Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, expressed disappointment over the team’s failure to capitalize on a strong first-innings total of 550 runs. He acknowledged the importance of securing 10 wickets after putting up such a large score but lamented the team’s inability to do so. This defeat marks Pakistan’s sixth consecutive loss in Test cricket, and they became the first team in 147 years to lose by an innings after scoring 500 runs in a Test match.
As the PCB prepares to announce the squad for the second Test, fans and analysts are keen to see what changes will be made to address Pakistan’s ongoing struggles in the Test format.
