Spin-heavy Pakistan wins toss and elects to bat first in 2nd cricket test against England

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first in the second cricket test against England, showcasing their spin-heavy attack. This decision marks a unique strategy for the team as they look to dominate the match in Multan, Pakistan.

Ben Stokes returned to lead England after recovering from a torn hamstring as the visitors made two changes from the side which recorded an innings and 47-run win in the first test last week.

Stokes, who missed England's 2-1 win at home against Sri Lanka and also last week's victory in Multan, replaced Chris Woakes. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson made way for Matthew Potts, who last played a test match against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in August.

Pakistan, which is on an 11-match winless streak at home, made four changes after it became the first test-playing nation to lose a match by an innings after scoring 500-plus runs in the first innings.

Four senior players, including out-of-form Babar Azam, were rested for the remaining two tests of the series.

Kamran Ghulam was handed a test debut and replaced Babar at No. 4. The spin trio of Sajid Khan, Noman Ali and Zahid Mahmood, who haven’t played first-class cricket for nine months, were included in the playing XI with Salman Ali Agha and Saim Ayub the other spin options for Pakistan.

Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was ruled out of the series after he fell ill during the first test and was hospitalized.

Lineups:

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood , Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Zahid Mahmood.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes , Jamie Smith, Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.

cricket: /hub/cricket

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.