PAK vs ENG: Pakistan's Predicted Playing XI Against England, England Tour Of Pakistan 2022, 2nd Test

Pakistan takes on England in the second Test in Multan starting on December 9. They lost the first by 74 runs and need to win the second to keep the series alive. A loss would mean that would lose the Test series after losing the T20I series in September before the T20 World Cup.

The first Test in Rawalpindi was a high-scoring encounter. England scored 657 and Pakistan scored 579 in reply in their first innings. England declared at 264/7 asking the hosts to chase down 343 to win.

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However, as it turned out, they were bowled out for 268 in the second innings losing the match by 74 runs. Amid all the runs scored, the Rawalpindi pitch was criticised for not aiding the seamers at all. The pitch curator was targeted and even the PCB Chief Ramiz Raja.

Meanwhile, Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series due to a quad injury that he picked up while trying to field in the first Test. Hasan Ali is his likely replacement for the next Test. Pakistan are also without their lead pacer Shaheen Afridi who has just done surgery due to his knee injury.

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The majority of the Pakistan players have not played too much Test cricket and this is where they might come short in the second Test. In this article, we take a look at Pakistan’s playing XI for the Multan Test.

PAK vs ENG: Pakistan’s Predicted Playing XI Against England, England Tour Of Pakistan 2022, 2nd Test

Abdullah Shafique

The opener scored 114 and 6 in the two innings of the first Test. He is still new to Test cricket having played just 8 matches. Shafiq has scored over 700 runs in six Tests this year so far averaging 70.60.

Also Read: PAK vs ENG: “We Are Excited About That Prospect Of Playing The WTC Final”- Babar Azam

Imam-ul-Haq

Imam will open the batting with Shafiq. He is one of the three Pakistan batters to score a century in the first Test. The southpaw scored 212 and 48. In six games this year, Haq has scored 657 at an average of nearly 60.

Azhar Ali

The veteran of 96 Tests for Pakistan, Azhar Ali will slot in at three. He scored 27 in the first innings and 40 in the second in Rawalpindi. This year so far he has scored 376 runs in five Tests at an average of 41.78.

Babar Azam (C)

The Pakistan skipper will slot in at four. He scored 136 in the first innings and just four in the second. Overall in 43 Tests, he has scored over 3200 runs. This year so far he has scored 801 runs in 8 matches averaging 72.82.

Saud Shakeel

Shakeel made his Test debut in the first Test in Rawalpindi. He will retain his place in the Xi at number five. He scored 37 and 76 in the two innings.

Mohammad Rizwan (WK)

Rizwan will slot in at six in the lineup. He scored 29 and 46 in the two innings at Rawalpindi. His Test record is not as good as his T20I records and he is still finding his feet in the format. In six Tests this year, he has scored 335 runs averaging 37.22. He makes up Pakistan’s top six.

Agha Salman / Mohammad Nawaz

The all-rounder has played just three Test matches. He scored 53 and 30 in the two innings and picked up just one wicket. He should retain his place in the XI. Pakistan can also play Mohammad Nawaz in his place as he is a like-for-like replacement.

Naseem Shah

Naseem Shah will lead the pace attack in the absence of Haris Rauf in the second Test. He picked up five wickets in the first Test but was very expensive on a flat wicket. He has picked up 18 wickets in five Tests this year so far.

Zahid Mahmood / Nauman Ali

Pakistan might bring in Nauman Ali in place of Zahid Mohammad In the second Test, The right-arm leg break bowler picked up six wickets but went for 319 runs. Ali, on the other hand, has played four Tests this year picking up 11 wickets.

Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali will replace Haris Raufd in the XI to conclude likely Pakistan playing XI for the Multan Test. Ali has just picked up five wickets in four Test matches this year.

Also Read: Updated ICC World Test Championship Points Table After Pakistan vs England 1st Test, WTC Table 2021-23

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