The first match of a three-Test series between Pakistan v England gets underway on Monday, 7th October, with the tourists sweating on the fitness of their captain. Ben Stokes has travelled with the England squad, but despite training with his team-mates, it’s unclear as to whether he will play in Multan.
Pakistan vs England – 1st Test Preview
Pakistan go into the England fixtures off the back of a home-series defeat to Bangladesh, which has dropped them to eighth in the world rankings.
Pakistan v England: Visitors Favourites
A home loss to Bangladesh was hardly ideal preparation for the visit of England and Pakistan will need to raise their game to compete with the tourists. It’s only two years since these two teams played a Test series in Pakistan, with the tourists running out comfortable victors after winning all three matches. It’s been a mixed year to date for England in the longest format of the sport, winning six of 11 Tests – with home series victories over West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Last time they were on tour, Stokes’ men lost 4-1 in India despite winning the first Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs. As things stand, India are much stronger opposition on home soil than Pakistan and England will feel they should be able to take full advantage.Brendon McCullum’s squad won a tight affair by 26 runs when the two sides last met in Multan and it could be a more emphatic win this time around.
Pakistan v England: Deadly Duckett
Although a Test century eluded him, Ben Duckett enjoyed a decent summer with the bat in red-ball cricket. The opener made 86 against Sri Lanka at the Oval and 71 and 76 versus West Indies in England’s win at Trent Bridge. Building on that, Duckett impressed during the one-day series against Australia – smashing a ton at Bristol having already hit 95 in the opener in Nottingham.
The Nottinghamshire batter also has good memories of Multan, having featured in that Test success two years ago. The 29-year-old made 63 in the first innings, before firing 79 in England’s second innings total of 275.
Pakistan v England: Bold Babar
The home side will need a quick start to put some pressure on England and one man capable of providing runs at a healthy pace is Babar Azam. The Pakistan captain averages 61.10 with the bat against England and enjoys a strike rate of 62.20 in Tests in his homeland. Babar failed to make over 31 in four innings against Bangladesh and you have to go back to December 2022 for his last Test century – 161 against New Zealand in Karachi.
He performed well against England last time out, smashing 136 in the first Test in Rawalpindi before making 75 in the first innings in Multan. The experience and leadership of Babar, who turns 30 during this Test series, will be key if the hosts are to mount a challenge.
Pakistan v England Tips
England to win the 1st Test @ 2.00 with kwiff
Ben Duckett England Top Batsman @ 4.75 with kwiff
1st Inns 50 – Babar Azam – @ 2.45 with kwiff
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