Pakistan vs England, 3rd Test Match Preview, Prediction and Live Streaming

It has all been a gamble with Pakistan cricket for the past few weeks. And they have decided to add another to the list, that is to expect Rawalpindi’s pitch to help spinners throughout the third Test match. Pakistan’s 152-run win in the second Test match means that it will be down to the final Test match to decide who bags the series. More than teams, it’s an answer-seeking mission for both sides’ strategies. Bazball will take a solid hit if England lose the third Test match. If they win it, Pakistan’s new-found strategy will have to be binned, though it’s bound to meet the same fate sooner or later.

England’s jolty dominance in Asia recently has brought Bazball under criticism. On top of that, Multan Test put Bazball’s vulnerability against spin on display for everyone to witness. This is one of the reasons why Pakistan have decided to stick with their seemingly unsustainable and naive game plan; to prepare a spin-friendly track, field an all-spin attack, and hope for the worst to happen with the opposition. But this time it will not be that easy. It’s one thing to get a day six Multan pitch to turn the ball, it’s entirely another to expect Pindi’s pitch to do the same when the city stands at the helm of winter. There has been news suggesting that the pitch curators are hell-bent on taking out every last bit of moisture in the surface using the famous biggy fans and heaters, but whether they have been successful in doing so remains unanswered for now.

Team Overview:

Pakistan have announced the same playing XI that defeated England in Multan. Many were hoping the team to include a pacer, in case Rawalpindi’s deck digresses from the plan. However, the newly formed selection committee did not budge a bit. Reportedly, neither Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s red-ball coach, nor Skipper Shan Masood had any say in deciding the final eleven. This takes more worries off Shan’s shoulders whose batters did not let him down in the last game and for the better part of the series, have looked quite reliable. Barring the three specialist spinners, Pakistan boast a heavy batting lineup. Zahid Mehmood bowled only six overs in Multan, but with England prepared for the challenge this time, his services might be more needed.

England have made a few changes, after realizing that spin remains their Achilles’ Heel in both departments. Making amends they have included a three-spinners attack as well by calling Rehan Ahmed to join Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach. Gus Atkinson will be the sole pacer in the team, sharing the pace duties with Ben Stokes, if he decides to ball which in turn is contingent on whether the conditions will help him roll his arm in Rawalpindi.

Head-to-Head Matches:

England and Pakistan have played 91 Test matches against each other, with Pakistan winning 22 games and England dominating the men in green in 30. The remaining 39 games concluded with no result.

Weather and Pitch Report:

It’s almost time for winter in Rawalpindi. This means that not only will there be little more hope for pacers despite the bombardment of techniques to turn the pitch topsy-turvy, but also that the days will see the stumps earlier. The deck, as per the preparations, looks like it will assist the spinners. However, Rawalpindi might not shy away from channeling its inner featherbed at a moment’s notice.