England vs Pakistan 2020, 2nd Test: Toss Report

After the thrilling end to the first Test in Manchester, the stage is set for another thriller in Southampton. England are one win away from registering their first Test series win over Pakistan in a decade while Pakistan will need to win the game at any cost to win their first Test series in England since 1996. The last two series between the two teams in UK ended in stalemate.

Pakistan were on top for most part of the game in the series-opener but lacked the killer instinct. Defending 277, the visitors had England reeling at 117 for 5 before Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler launched a stunning counterattack and scored fine fifties to power the home side to a thrilling win.

With three consecutive Test wins under their belt, England will be looking to make the most of the momentum. However, they will have to do it without their talismanic allrounder Ben Stokes who is out of the series due to personal reasons. Stokes could not contribute much in the first Test but the form he is in from the last one year or so, missing him will be a big blow for the hosts.

On the other hand, Pakistan will be looking to justify their tag of being unpredictable and win the game after losing the opener. Pakistan know how to spring surprises and after their promising display in the first Test, they will be looking to go one step better in the second one.

Hot work for the lads at practice in Southampton ???????☀️ pic.twitter.com/vtpEncSnXx

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 12, 2020

Toss report:

Pakistan have won the toss and have decided to bat first against England in the second Test at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

Playing XIs:

Pakistan:

Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali(c), Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah

England:

Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root(c), Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, James Anderson