Rapid Schedule Leaves England Vulnerable Amid Pakistan’s Struggles
Big Picture: Back on the Road
Imagine asking a casual sports fan, “Where is England playing Test cricket this week?” Unless they’re a die-hard cricket follower, chances are, they won’t know. It’s hardly surprising, given England’s whirlwind cricket calendar. Just last week, they were battling Australia in an uninspiring one-day series at the tail end of a gloomy summer. Now, without so much as a breather, they’re jetting off to Pakistan—a country where they hadn’t played a Test for almost two decades but now, in just two years, will have contested six Tests there, more than they’ve played against Australia or India in that same period.
It’s disorienting—and that’s before you even consider the packed winter schedule. A white-ball tour of the West Indies looms just three weeks away, followed by another Test series in New Zealand next month. It’s no wonder players like James Anderson are squeezing in golf vacations, or that Andrew Flintoff is taking a break to reboot an ’80s game show. With the international cricket calendar in chaos, who can blame them?
Pakistan’s Own Chaos
If England’s preparations seem rushed, Pakistan is no stranger to disorder either. Despite their current dismal record of five straight Test defeats—including a shocking home series loss to Bangladesh last month—Pakistan’s chaotic lead-up to this series has been even more bizarre. Venue confusion reigned, with Karachi and Lahore unavailable, and Rawalpindi booked for a conference. Abu Dhabi was even considered as an alternative, much to England coach Brendon McCullum’s frustration, before back-to-back matches in Multan were hastily confirmed.
For all its beauty, Pakistan isn’t exactly a popular destination for traveling fans, and the logistical mess has only worsened matters. Several tour operators have already abandoned their plans.
A Contest Deserving Better
This hurried and haphazard build-up doesn’t do justice to a fixture that deserves more respect. England’s last tour to Pakistan in December 2022 was nothing short of spectacular. It was defined by their fearless, attacking style, epitomized by Ben Stokes’ bold captaincy—from clever declarations to inventive field placements. His trust in the young Rehan Ahmed, who took five wickets on debut in Karachi, was a testament to his leadership.
But this time around, much has changed. England’s bowling attack, which was pivotal to their 2022 success, looks vastly different. James Anderson, Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson are absent, replaced by Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Gus Atkinson, none of whom have played an overseas Test in the ‘Bazball’ era. With Ben Stokes sidelined due to injury, the responsibility falls on Ollie Pope to lead—a task that will test his mettle.
Pakistan, on the other hand, have bolstered their attack. The trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Aamer Jamal form what looks like their strongest seam attack in months. Jamal, with an impressive debut series against Australia, and Naseem’s fiery pace could prove a handful for England, who might miss Wood’s 150kph thunderbolts from the last series.
Cricket Without the Hype
Despite the potential of this series, the lack of build-up, the uncertainty surrounding the venues, and possibly minimal crowds have dampened the anticipation. It feels like cricket for cricket’s sake, and the team that can push aside this existential feeling may just have the upper hand over the coming five days.
Players to Watch: Abrar Ahmed and Chris Woakes
England’s batters will undoubtedly remember Pakistan’s spin wizard, Abrar Ahmed, from their last encounter. His debut in 2022 was unforgettable, taking 11 wickets with his mystery spin and making a name for himself in the process. Though England scored quickly against him, his ability to deceive, with deliveries like the carrom ball that dismissed Zak Crawley, remains a potent threat.
Meanwhile, Chris Woakes is on a mission to rewrite his overseas record. While his stats at home are impressive—137 wickets at 21.59—his numbers abroad are less flattering. Yet, with Anderson and Broad absent and Stokes unavailable, Woakes’ experience becomes invaluable. After an excellent summer at home, he enters this series with renewed confidence.
Team News: Pakistan’s Bowling Firepower Returns
Despite a poor series against Bangladesh, Pakistan’s batting line-up remains unchanged. The major changes come in their bowling attack, with Aamer Jamal returning from injury to join Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. Khurram Shahzad, who impressed against Bangladesh, misses out due to injury.
For England, Zak Crawley returns to the top of the order, but won’t be fielding in the slips due to a broken finger. Stokes remains absent, allowing Carse to make his debut alongside Atkinson and Woakes. Jack Leach also makes his return, his first Test appearance since February.
Pitch and Conditions: Greener Multan Surface
The pitch in Multan has more grass than usual, though some was shaved off recently. England aren’t expecting reverse swing as early as in 2022, but low bounce may still play a factor.
Stats and Trivia
– England’s last Test in Multan was their 26-run victory in December 2022, the last Test hosted at the venue.
– Pakistan have won three of the six Tests held in Multan, including a victory against England in 2005.
– Joe Root needs 71 runs to surpass Alastair Cook’s record of 12,472 Test runs, the most by any England batter.
Quotes
“We know how they play, but it’s about executing our plans. We’re clear in our minds and have named the XI accordingly,” says Pakistan captain Shan Masood.
“We’ve got the skillset to fill the gap left by Jimmy [Anderson]. It’s a great opportunity for these guys to bowl in different conditions,” says England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope.