WI vs ENG: Saqib Mahmood Set To Make His Test Debut In The Second Test

England pace bowler Saqib Mahmood will make his Test debut in the second Test match against West Indies, as confirmed by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday. Mahmood, 25, will replace Durham pacer Mark Wood in the England team after the latter sustained a right elbow injury in the first Test.

Mahmood has picked 70 scalps from 25 First-Class matches for Lancashire County Cricket Club at an average of 27.92 with his best figures being 5/47. The Lancashire pacer had already got a breakthrough in the limited-overs team a couple of years ago when he made his T20I debut against New Zealand in Wellington in November 2019 followed by his maiden ODI game against South Africa in February 2020.

Saqib Mahmood to make Test debut after Ashes snub

Earlier this year, the 25-year-old had expressed his disappointment over being snubbed for the Ashes against Australia Down Under. Mahmood had revealed that he was told that he won’t be considered for the Ashes Tests due to fitness concerns.

Mahmood, last year, was a part of the Test set-up and was in the squad for the India series as a back-up, but did not make the cut for the Ashes, playing a solitary game for England Lions before moving to play for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL).

“England make one change from the drawn first Test in Antigua. Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood will make his Test debut replacing Durham’s Mark Wood, who has a right elbow injury, ECB said in a media release.

WI vs ENG: West Indies forced a draw against England in the first Test

England drew the first Test against West Indies in Antigua after senior all-rounder Jason Holder (37) and Nkrumah Bonner (38) batted for two hours to wear down the England bowling attack in their 80-run stand for the fifth wicket. The second Test will be played between March 12-16 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

England playing XI vs WI in the second Test: Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Jonathan Bairstow, Ben Foakes (wk), Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood.

Also Read: WI vs ENG: “What Do You Want From Us”- Ben Stokes Slams Critics Questioning England’s Performance In 1st Test