Multan to Host First Test Amid Anticipation of Fierce Competition

News Desk 

Multan: England’s cricket team, led by Ben Stokes, is gearing up to take on Pakistan in a much-anticipated three-Test series starting tomorrow (Monday). 

The visitors arrive in Pakistan on the back of a dominant 3-0 series sweep in 2022, as they seek to extend their strong form. England currently sits third in the world rankings, having won five of their last six Tests.

Stokes’ Influence Looms Despite Injury Setback

Although England clinched a 2-1 series win against Sri Lanka last month without their skipper, Ben Stokes remains a pivotal figure for the team. The 33-year-old all-rounder will miss the first Test due to a torn hamstring, and questions remain over his bowling capability when he returns.

Should Stokes play as a specialist batsman later in the series, it could significantly alter the balance of the team. England may opt for four specialist bowlers, relying on Joe Root’s off-spin to compensate.

Stokes, who has been out of action for two months, demonstrated his value in the West Indies series earlier this year, scoring three fifties in four innings.

Bazball Strategy to Undergo Evolution?

England’s last tour of Pakistan in 2022 came in the early stages of the “Bazball” era, a philosophy of aggressive, all-out attacking cricket under coach Brendon McCullum. That series saw England set records, including a remarkable 506-4 on the first day in Rawalpindi.

However, after a 4-1 series loss in India earlier this year, McCullum has signaled the need to refine the approach with more controlled aggression. The strategy has since paid off, with England demolishing the West Indies 3-0 and overcoming Sri Lanka 2-1 on home soil.

Retired bowling legend Stuart Broad expressed confidence that England’s style will succeed in Pakistan. He praised the batting unit’s ability to handle spin, adding, “They are positive, aggressive players who can find the boundary and avoid being bogged down by spin. England will need to play fast-paced cricket to force results.”

Inexperience in England’s Bowling Attack

With the legendary duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad no longer in the lineup, England is building a new pace attack. Senior paceman Chris Woakes performed admirably in the English summer, but his overseas Test record remains shaky. Additionally, express bowler Mark Wood is sidelined.

Surrey’s Gus Atkinson has made a bright start to his Test career, taking 34 wickets in six matches, but the combined experience of England’s pace trio, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, and debutant Brydon Carse, is limited to just 19 caps.

The spin department also looks inexperienced, aside from left-armer Jack Leach. Leach’s teammate Shoaib Bashir has played only nine Tests, while Rehan Ahmed, who shone during England’s 2022 series win in Pakistan, has not featured since.

Broad cautioned that inexperience could pose a challenge for England, stating, “It’s difficult to go into a Test, especially without Ben Stokes or with him not bowling, with such a young bowling attack. If things go wrong, it could cost you the match in an hour.”

With both sides facing challenges, the series promises to be an exciting contest. The first Test begins in Multan on Monday.