PAK vs ENG: Liam Livingstone Set For Test Debut In Rawalpindi As England Announce Playing XI For 1st Test vs Pakistan

England National Cricket Team have announced their playing XI for the first Test of the three-match series against Pakistan National Cricket Team and the 29-year-old batting all-rounder Liam Livingstone is all set to make his debut in the purest format of the game.

The first Test match of the England tour of Pakistan 2022 will be played from December 1 to 5 in Rawalpindi. Then, the action will move to Multan (December 9 to 13) and Karachi (December 17 to 21) for the last two games.

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Meanwhile, there are two new faces – Liam Livingstone and Ben Duckett – in England’s playing XI for the first Test against Babar Azam-led side. Livingstone has been included in the playing XI for his capabilities as a spinner along with his ball-striking. While, Ben Duckett, who is set to partner with Zak Crawley as an opener, has replaced Alex Lees, who was dropped for this tour.

Talking about Livingstone on Monday, head coach Brendon McCullum said that the 29-year-old offers a lot as a player and he has a lot of potential.

“He bowls offspin, legspin, fields well and smacks the ball out of the park – it’s hard not to get around a player who plays like that,” Brendon McCullum was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The only real discussion we thought was worth having was whether we go with Jacksy or Liam Livingstone – Ben Stokes

Following the announcement of playing XI, England red-ball captain Ben Stokes revealed that they had to make a call between Livingstone and Will Jacks, who bowls off-spin, and the decision was made in favor of Livingstone because of his ability to bowl both wrist and finger spin.

“The only real discussion we thought was worth having was whether we go with Jacksy or Livi. I think given the place where Livi’s going to play and as that third spinner role, it’s quite nice to have someone who turns it both ways. And quite nice the way he applies himself with the bat – very similar to Jacksy, but having that leg-spin and off-spin possibility with Livi was a big plus for us,” Ben Stokes was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Stokes added that he will use Joe Root’s off-spin “quite a lot” on the Pakistan tour.

“With Livi he’s one of those cricketers who can come on from anywhere and take a wicket when the ball’s flowing a bit the opposition’s way. I’ve already spoken to Rooty as well. I’m going to try to use him quite a lot. I think he underuses himself. He’s actually got some very good assets as an off-spin bowler. He’s been working very hard on his bowling.”

England Playing XI For The First Test vs Pakistan:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Liam Livingstone, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, Jimmy Anderson.

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