England make two changes in selection gamble to combat Pakistan tactics in series decider
England have picked a three-man spin attack for their final Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, with Rehan Ahmed and Gus Atkinson replacing Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts
by Matthew Cooper · The MirrorEngland have recalled Rehan Ahmed and Gus Atkinson for their series decider against Pakistan.
England won the first Test by an innings and 47 runs, largely thanks to a mammoth record-breaking partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root. However, Pakistan then won the second Test by 152 runs after deciding to re-use the same pitch in Multan and pack their side with spinners.
The final Test in Rawalpindi is also expected to be a spinning pitch and England have gambled by picking just one frontline seamer in Atkinson, with Ahmed forming part of a three-man spin attack alongside Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir.
Captain Ben Stokes will also offer a second seam option, although he only bowled a total of ten overs in the previous Test after making his return from a hamstring injury. And England are looking forward to the challenge ahead of them.
"They've had the rakes out, the fans and the heaters on the pitch," Brook said when asked about the Rawalpindi pitch. "It's interesting and it's unique. Hopefully, it'll be a nice pitch for the first couple of days and then we're expecting it to turn at the back end of the game.
"I'd say it will be a good pitch for the first day, two days maybe, then it will start spinning. God knows, to be honest. Everyone goes to look at the wicket and everyone says something different.
"Their spinners are obviously going to play a massive part this week. I've spoken to a few lads about game-plans and how we'll go about it. Hopefully that pays off and I can play a big part in the game too."
Brook is also backing Ahmed to enjoy a successful return to the side, having memorably become the youngest ever cricket to take a five wicket haul on Test debut when England last toured Pakistan in 2022.
"He's an outstanding cricketer – not just his bowling, but his batting and fielding," Brook added. "He's a young lad so he has a lot of time to come. He got five-for in his last Test here, so hopefully he can do that again."
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