The hosts tried to dry the pitch for the series-deciding Test against England in Rawalpindi on Tuesday to recreate last week’s spin-led triumph.
The series is tied 1-1 after Pakistan won the second Test by 152 runs on Friday. England fell to 144 all out chasing a 297-run mark as left-arm spinner Noman Ali and right-armer Sajid Khan took all 20 wickets for Pakistan. The third and final match starts Thursday.
Pakistan, inspired by Multan, used windbreaks, industrial fans, and patio heaters to parch the strip in hopes of winning their first series since beating South Africa in 2021.
England coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes thoroughly assessed the surface before Tuesday’s session.
“Everybody goes and looks at the wicket and says something different,” Harry Brook told reporters.
“Hopefully it’s like any other Pakistani pitch and it’s good to bat on for the first few days and then hopefully we get some turn out on it at the back end of the game.”
The visitors have added leg-break bowler Rehan Ahmed as a third spinner to Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir in case of a spin fight. Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse are out, so fast bowler Gus Atkinson steps in. Pakistan may preserve their second Test lineup of three spinners and one seamer.
“We are trying to have the same kind of pitch that can favor us as we want to win the match,” said left-handed batter Saud Shakeel.
Pakistan’s first win in 11 home Tests occurred in Multan after England won the first by an innings and 47 runs.
