Kevin Pietersen's suggestion accepted as Pakistan set to play 2nd Test on same Multan pitch

Pakistan have decided to use the same pitch for the second Test match against England at Multan for the second time in a row. It is to be noted that the first Test was also played on the same strip, which was heavily scrutinized for its little or no assistance for the bowlers.

A few days ago, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen called this pitch a "bowlers' graveyard" on his social media account and suggested the second Test to be played on the same pitch as well.

They must play the 2nd and 3rd Test on this same wicket.

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) October 9, 2024

The suggestion has been accepted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) who will hope that the pitch offers the bowlers some help, as per ESPNCricinfo. This decision will also prompt England to play Ben Stokes and get him match-fit as soon as possible.

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Pakistan to play 2nd Test on the same pitch in Multan

Pakistan's decision to play a second Test in a row on the same pitch is something new that the teams have rarely done before. However, it is legal according to the ICC's pitch regulations which only require the match to be played in "best possible pitch and outfield conditions."

There is no rule suggesting that the pitch should be fresh for a new Test match. The decision might have been taken to make the pitch and the conditions somehow favorable for the bowlers.

Since the same strip will be used for the second Test in a row, the pitch will be expected to offer some more help for the spinners. It means that England's spinners Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir will come to the party at some time in the game.

England will also be overwhelmed with the recovery of Ben Stokes, who is likely to be fit for this Test match. Stokes has already started bowling at full pace in the nets and also batted for 45 minutes in the nets.

The allrounder's skills can be beneficial to England's plans. Stokes can do the role of a third seamer which will allow England to attack with their available spin attack.

"They can do what they want" - James Anderson on the same pitch

Former England quick James Anderson, who is with the squad for this tour seemed undisturbed about the match being played on the same pitch. However, he expressed surprise at the decision but claimed that it would work in England's favor since Ben Stokes is ready for a return.

"It's their decision, their conditions, their home game. They can do what they want. The fact that it's the same pitch doesn't determine the result," Anderson was quoted as saying by the BBC.

England thrash Pakistan in the first Test on a flat pitch

The pitch used for the first Test was absolutely flat and batters from both the teams enjoyed batting on it. Pakistan scored 556 runs in their first innings thanks to the hundreds from Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, and Salman Ali Agha.

England responded by scoring a mammoth 823-7 in their first innings with the help of stellar knocks from Joe Root and Harry Brook. Root scored a double century while Brook slammed a Triple century as England broke records on a placid batting surface.

However, Pakistan crumbled under scoreboard pressure as their top order suffered a dramatic collapse in the second innings. The Men in Green were bundled out for just 220, thus handing over a memorable win of an innings and 47 runs to England.