Pakistan will reuse same pitch for second Test in Multan: Reports | England tour of Pakistan, 2024

In a desperate bid to break their terrible 11-match winning streak at home, Pakistan is reportedly ready to reuse the same pitch as in the first Test for the second Test starting October 15 (Tuesday).

Reuse of pitches in white-ball games is common, but rarely has the same wicket been used for two Test matches in a row. But ESPNCricinfo has reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is confident that the wicket will hold well and strongly believes that the surface will certainly prove to be bowler-friendly, which will benefit the spinners.

“Industrial-sized fans were set up at both ends of the pitch as both teams held optional training sessions on Sunday after the pitch was heavily watered by ground staff following the first Test,” ESPNCricinfo reported.

Pakistan’s wickets have come under criticism for being extremely batsman-friendly and offering nothing at all to the bowlers. In the first Test in Multan, England reached 823/7 after Pakistan had put 556 on the board batting first.

The fact that Pakistan have still found a way to lose games on such surfaces is inexplicable.

Pakistan have not won a single home test since December 2022 and are winless in 11 matches. They have now suffered three straight defeats at home in 2024, having previously been whitewashed by Bangladesh on surfaces similar to the pitch Multan laid out in the first Test.

Should the same pitch be reused as reported, both the hosts and visitors could consider strengthening the spin department. England played two spinners in the first Test but still have the option of bringing in another in Rehan Ahmed. Pakistan, meanwhile, could face both Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, both of whom are expected to be included in the squad for the second Test.

The news that Abrar Ahmed is all but ruled out for the second Test comes at an unfortunate time for the hosts, especially as the track for the second Test is expected to involve spin.

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