England have announced their playing XI for the third Test against Pakistan, set to begin on October 24 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The squad features a strategic selection of three spinners, reflecting England’s approach to the conditions expected in Rawalpindi.
Changes in England’s playing XI
The team sees two changes from the lineup that played in the second Test in Multan. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson makes his return, while leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been included for the first time since the Test match against India in February this year. Te fast bowling duo of Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts have been left out of the starting XI.
The inclusion of Rehan is particularly noteworthy, as he brings a fresh spin option to complement Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir in what is expected to be a spin-friendly pitch.
Captain Ben Stokes expressed confidence in the selected playing XI, emphasizing the importance of adapting to local conditions. “We believe that having three spinners will give us an advantage on a pitch that traditionally supports spin bowling,” Stokes stated during a press conference ahead of the Rawalpindi Test.
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Context of the PAK vs ENG Test series
The three-match Test series between Pakistan and England is currently levelled at 1-1. England won the opening Test by a comprehensive margin of an innings and 47 runs in Multan, while Pakistan came back strongly to equal the red-ball leg with 152-run victory in the second match at the same venue.
England’s playing XI for Rawalpindi Test:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
