By Muhammad Siddique Kayani
After winning the second Test in Multan, Pakistan has leveled the series 1-1 against England. The deciding Test of the Pakistan-England series will be held in Rawalpindi from October 24 to 28, promising to be an intense and high-voltage match. Both teams will go all out in their efforts to clinch the series victory.
Pakistan is likely to make a couple of changes, with pacer Mir Hamza potentially replacing leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood, or the inclusion of Naseem Shah if he recovers in time. There is also speculation that Mohammad Huraira might be given a chance in place of Abdullah Shafique, but it would be wise to avoid disrupting the winning combination too much. Shafique’s exceptional close-field catches during the second Test should earn him a spot in the Rawalpindi showdown.
The pitch in Rawalpindi is being prepared similarly to the Multan surface, with a turning track in mind. The ground staff have been working on it for over a week, using heaters and warm air to dry the surface, aiming to create cracks that would benefit spinners from the first day. However, Rawalpindi’s traditionally lower temperatures and frequent winds tend to offer more support to fast bowlers. The bounce here won’t be as low as in Multan, and if the weather stays mild, spinners may only find assistance from the third day onwards.
The wicket will offer some help to pacers during the first two days, and winning the toss will be crucial as batting in the fourth innings could be challenging due to the low bounce. England will come in well-prepared, and if the pitch remains slow, the contest could be a close one. On a more supportive surface, however, England’s batting firepower could pose problems for Pakistan.
The Rawalpindi pitch is expected to be less demanding than the one in Multan, and stroke play should be easier here, allowing batsmen more room for expansive shots. Pakistan’s chances in this final Test hinge on solid planning and strong performances across batting, bowling, and fielding. With their morale high after the Multan victory, the Shaheens will need to maintain their fighting spirit.
The team’s success will depend on focus and execution, and there’s no room for underperforming or unfit players. Strengthening Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure is essential, as it has already produced match-winners like Kamran Ghulam, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, and Salman Ali Agha, who played key roles in the Multan Test victory. Talented cricketers are still waiting for their chance to break into the national side.
Fast bowlers Mohammad Hasnain and Wasim Junior should be considered for the upcoming Australia series in November. Additionally, emerging stars like spinners Mehran Mumtaz, Arafat Minhas, Sufiyan Muqeem, all-rounders Qasim Akram, Irfan Niazi, Abdul Samad, and Jehanzad Khan deserve a chance in the T20 series against Australia, helping to build a strong backup for the team ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy.
