ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cricket think-tank is betting on an all-out spin strategy to level the three-match Test series against England on the spin-friendly pitch of Multan Stadium.
Pakistan has stacked its playing XI with specialist spinners, hoping to exploit the used wicket to bowl out England twice. The squad includes spin experts Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood, with Salman Ali Agha offering an additional spin option. Aamir Jamal is the sole pace bowler included, a reflection of the team’s strategic focus on spin.
Azhar Mehmood, Pakistan’s bowling coach, was forthright in admitting that spin was their only path to take 20 wickets and staying alive in the series. “We can only win by using spinners,” Azhar said.
“This time, we are confident that the wicket will assist spin, unlike the last time when it didn’t turn even on the fifth day.” He dismissed the suggestions that the switch to spin was a response to the failure of Pakistan’s fast bowlers. “That’s not the case. We tried to prepare a turning pitch before, but it didn’t happen. This time, the conditions are in our favour,” he explained.
Azhar also confirmed that Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were sidelined due to fitness concerns and that captain Babar Azam was rested to recharge for the important series ahead, including tours to Australia and South Africa.
Despite Babar’s absence, Azhar emphasized his importance to the team. “Babar remains our top batsman but we want him to be mentally and physically at his peak for the future challenges,” he said.
“Kamran Ghulam has been brought in to replace Babar, while the rest of the team remains largely unchanged, focusing on spin over pace for the second Test.” Azhar acknowledged England’s exceptional fitness and performance in the first Test, praising players like Harry Brook and Joe Root for their remarkable stamina even after monumental innings. “Their fitness is on another level. It’s one of the reasons they were able to outlast the conditions here. Look at Hary Brook the way he was sprinting for twos and threes even after completing a triple century was something amazing. The same was the case with Joe Root who was seen at his best even after scoring double century. It was all about fitness. The tourists nullified the hot weather and lack of conditioning with their fitness.” he admitted.
The bowling coach termed selection of the team for the rest of the two matches as a collective decision. “Everyone sat together to decide on these changes. We know well that if we want to win matches against England we have to do it with spinners. We have got some very good experienced spinners. The selected spinners are the ones having vast experience of bowling on the wickets like the one we have at the Multan Stadium.” As for Pakistan, the strategy is clear: Rely on experienced spinners to turn the tide. “If we’re going to win, it will be through spin,” Azhar concluded, as Pakistan aim to make the most of the conditions and their experienced spin attack on a crucial Multan pitch.
