The first Test between Pakistan and England starts in Multan tomorrow (October 7). The second match of the upcoming series will also be played at the same venue whereas the third match is scheduled from October 24 to 28 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The series is part of ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. Pakistan lost their first-ever Test series against Bangladesh (2-0) last month, and created a flurry of unwanted records, including the longest run for a team without a single home Test win.

The defeat marks Pakistan’s fifth consecutive Test loss in the ongoing World Test Championship, following three defeats against Australia and now two against Bangladesh. This string of losses has left Pakistan in a precarious position, sitting eighth on the WTC points table with a win percentage of just 19.05%. This is their lowest position since 1965.

The Greenshirts are going through one of the bleakest periods in their history, with administrative tumult begetting a succession of disastrous on-field results. Over the last year, Pakistan have lost to Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup, to USA at the T20 World Cup and now to Bangladesh in a home Test series.

The defeat against Bangladesh was the second occasion when Pakistan were whitewashed in a Test series at home. Before Bangladesh, England had defeated them 3-0 in 2022-23. Pakistan have now gone ten Tests at home without a win (six defeats and four draws). Pakistan have now lost a Test series at home to each of the ten oldest full member nations. They have become only the second team after Bangladesh to hold this unwanted record.

Pakistan are a little better in shorter formats, while their weaknesses are exposed in Test cricket. This is not merely a run of bad luck but a clear indication of long-term strategic failure. The consistent dominance of visiting teams on our soil points to deeper issues than what is typically acknowledged.

Frequent changes in the management and the team is one of the major reasons for the poor results. Since 2022 the Pakistan Cricket Board has had three chairmen and the Test side as many captains, as well as six permanent or temporary head coaches.

Pakistan have retained Shan Masood as their captain for the first match of their three-Test series. There was some scrutiny around Masood’s position in the aftermath of the 2-0 home Test series defeat to Bangladesh earlier this month, but he retains the role for now, with Pakistan looking to overturn a run of poor results in the longest format. They have lost each of their last five Test matches, all with Masood in charge.

Masood is hoping to overcome a horror start to his time as the captain, with Pakistan following up a 3-0 series defeat in Australia with a home series against Bangladesh that saw the visitors win both Test matches. It has coincided with difficult runs of form for several players. Masood has scored 286 runs in ten innings during this period. Babar Azam has managed 190.

Allrounder Aamer Jamal has found a place in the 15-member squad following his return from a back issue, while left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who didn’t feature in the Bangladesh series, returns to the side as a second frontline spin option alongside Abrar Ahmed.

After back-to-back defeats at home, the pressure on Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, and key players like Babar and Shaheen Afridi is mounting. Their recent performances have not met the fan’s expectations.

Babar’s form is the biggest concern for the captain and the management. The former captain has struggled to maintain his form, particularly in Test cricket. He hasn’t scored a half-century in his last 16 Test inningsBabar’s performance in the last series against Bangladesh was particularly disappointing, wherein he managed only 64 runs across four innings.

As one of Pakistan’s key players, Babar faces immense pressure and expectations, which can affect performance, especially during rough patches.

Pakistan’s overall decline in Test cricket has also mirrored Babar’s struggles. The team recently dropped to eighth place in the ICC Test Team Ranking.

The cricket rivalry between Pakistan and England is now seven decades old.

From Pakistan’s inaugural tour of England in 1954 to the present day, both teams have produced unforgettable moments, exceptional performances, and fierce contests.

With stars like Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, and Shaheen Afridi for Pakistan and Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, and Joe Root for England, the future of this rivalry looks as bright as ever. Each series brings with it new stories, remarkable feats, and moments that continue to add to the rich tapestry of cricket history between these two cricketing nations.

From Fazal Mahmood’s heroics in 1954 to Pakistan’s dominance in the UAE and the modern-day brilliance of stars like Babar Azam, the Pakistan-England Test series has evolved over time, with every era contributing its unique flavor.

In recent years, Pakistan and England have played several competitive series. In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan toured England for a three-Test series that England won 1-0. The series was closely contested, with Pakistan’s Babar and Shaheen showing glimpses of brilliance, but England’s resilience, led by Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes, saw them through.

The two teams have played 89 Test matches. England have the upper hand with 29 wins. Pakistan remained successful on 21 occasions.

Pakistan’s 708 runs at The Oval in August 1987 is the highest innings total so far. Interestingly, Pakistan scored over 600 runs in a Test innings five times but England never reached the milestone.

Both Pakistan and England’s lowest Test innings total is 72 against each other. Pakistan were bowled out on 72 in Birmingham in August 2010. England were also bowled on 72 in Abu Dhabi in January 2012.

England’s former skipper Alastair Cook is the most successful batsman with 1719 runs in 20 Tests, averaging 49.11, including five centuries and eight fifties.

For Pakistan, former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq scored 1584 runs in 19 matches at an average of 54.62 with five hundreds and 10 half-centuries.

Denis Comption’s 278 in Nottingham in 1954 Test series is still the best Test innings score in bilateral Test cricket.

Former captain Zaheer Abbas is behind him with 274 runs that he scored in Birmingham during the 1971 series.

On the bowling side, English fast bowler James Anderson and former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir took 82 wickets each, averaging 19.23 and 24.98, respectively.

The English team is in good form and their Bazball style has increased their success rate under the coaching of Brendon McCullum.

On the other hand, Pakistan have won only three of their past 17 Tests.

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