October 13th 2024.
After a record-breaking defeat at the hands of England in Multan, Pakistan is gearing up for the remaining two Tests in the series. The team has announced a 16-man squad, which includes the return of their star player, Ben Stokes. However, this news comes with a disappointment as former Pakistan captain Babar Azam, as well as high-profile players Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, will not be featuring in the upcoming matches.
The decision to rest Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem came as a surprise to many, as Babar is considered to be the best batter of his generation in Pakistan. However, his recent dip in form and scores of 30 and 5 in the first Test may have played a role in the selectors' decision. Additionally, Shaheen and Naseem have been struggling in their careers, with the latter conceding 277 runs in just 56 overs in the series opener.
Explaining the changes in the squad, selector Aaqib Javed said that it was a challenging task to consider current form, the urgency to bounce back in the series, and the team's demanding international schedule. He also stated that resting these players would help them regain their fitness, confidence, and composure, ensuring that they come back stronger in the future. The selectors remain fully committed to supporting these players during this break.
In addition to these changes, spinner Abrar Ahmed has also been cut from the squad after missing the last two days of the first Test due to illness. Despite a strong start in Multan, Pakistan crumbled in the final innings, losing by an innings and 47 runs. As the second Test approaches, England is in a strong position with a 1-0 lead in the series.
The return of Ben Stokes, who has been out since August with a hamstring injury, will further boost England's chances. Coach James Anderson confirmed that Stokes is "good to go" for the second Test, which is expected to be played on the same pitch as the first one. There may be some changes in the playing XI, with Chris Woakes possibly making way for Stokes. The team is also monitoring the fitness of Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, who were part of the grueling first Test.
As for Stokes' workload, England's bowling coach Anderson believes that it may work in their favor, with spinners potentially playing a bigger role. He also praised Stokes' fitness and bowling abilities, stating that he is looking stronger than ever. With Stokes' return, Ollie Pope will relinquish the captaincy, having led the team to three wins in four matches.
After the second Test in Multan, the two teams will travel to Rawalpindi for the third and final Test, which is set to begin on October 24. It remains to be seen how Pakistan will respond to their defeat in the first Test and if England can maintain their winning streak. Both teams will be looking to put on a strong performance in the remaining matches of the series.
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