PAK vs NZ, 2nd Test, all you need to know: Desperate Pakistan aim for turnaround

Pakistan will aim to reverse their fortunes in the second Test against England after a crushing innings defeat in the opener. In a surprising decision, the PCB dropped senior players, banking on fresh faces and bold tactics.

In Short

• PCB controversially dropped senior players after first Test defeat
• Pakistan were defeated by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test
• Pakistan named many many new players for the second Test

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Pakistan Cricket Board's response to their recent crisis has been nothing short of bewildering. After a crushing defeat by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test, PCB opted to overhaul their squad, injecting inexperience into the team. The decision to exclude Babar, Shaheen, Naseem, and Sarfaraz Ahmed was made by a selection committee constituted last week. This committee includes former international umpire Aleem Dar, former pacer Aqib Javed, ex-captain Azhar Ali, and analyst Hassan Cheema, who took the bold step of dropping four senior players from the squad.

Among the five new players brought in, only Sajid Khan and Mohammad Ali have any Test experience this year, leaving Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, and Haseebullah to face the daunting task of making their debuts in an already tense series. This reshuffle appears more like a gamble than a calculated strategy to reverse Pakistan’s fortunes. Pakistan’s desperation is further evidenced by their tactical shift in pitch preparation ahead of the second Test. With the Multan sun blazing, the pitch has been left uncovered, hoping the heat will dry it out and create cracks conducive to spin from the very first session.

But England, fresh off a dominant performance, seem unfazed by this last-minute ploy. Having won their last four Tests on Pakistani soil, their confidence is sky-high. The calm demeanour of key figures like Brendon McCullum, Ben Duckett, and Chris Woakes during training contrasts starkly with the urgency in the Pakistan camp. The question remains whether these changes can bridge the enormous gap exposed in the first Test.

Despite Pakistan’s tactical pivot, the true test will lie in their ability to take 20 wickets, a challenge that eluded them in the series opener. With Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah controversially dropped and Abrar Ahmed unavailable due to injury, the responsibility falls on seasoned spinners Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Zahid Mahmood. Yet, none of them have played first-class cricket in nearly a year, raising concerns about their form. Meanwhile, England’s batting order, bolstered by Ben Stokes’ return, looks as formidable as ever. The battle ahead is as much a mental one as it is physical, with both sides aware that a low-scoring contest could determine the series.

PAK vs ENG, 2nd Test: Playing XIs

Pakistan Playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mehmood.

England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (Captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Brydon Carse, Matt Potts, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir

When and where to watch PAK vs ENG, 2nd Test?

The second Test match between Pakistan and England will kick off on Tuesday, October 15 at 10:30 AM IST. The match will not be telecast on any channel in India, but will be available to live-stream on the FanCode app and website.