England defeated Pakistan by 74 runs in the first Test in Rawalpindi. One of England’s most celebrated victories in a Test match in recent memory. It was evidence of how the management of Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum approached red-ball cricket. If they had a chance of winning, they were willing to take the chance of losing.
In Asia, Pakistan has lost three of its last four matches. This demonstrates how dependent the team is on its star players, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Babar Azam. If the hosts want to remain in the running for a spot in the World Test Championship final, the second Test is of the utmost importance.
Let’s look at the three possible player battles that could determine how the second Test in Multan plays out.
#1 Babar Azam Vs Ben Stokes
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has secured himself as quite possibly of the best player on the planet. In 2022, he has also made significant progress in the red-ball format. His year-end statistics read 801 runs in 11 innings, an average of 72.82 runs per innings. During this time, he has scored four 50s and three centuries.
Ben Stokes, England’s newly appointed captain, is, on the other hand, one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. He has an impressive track record when it comes to using the ball.
He has taken 192 wickets at an average of just under 32, which is impressive for a fifth bowler in an English team. Additionally, he is adept at taking significant wickets that alter the game’s course.
In the fourth innings, Stokes ended his opponent’s innings. Babar was only able to tickle the keeper when he bowled a bouncer.
Babar is not the only world-class batter who struggles with the line between good and short-length deliveries.
In this crucial matchup for the hosts, one thing to look forward to is the battle between the captains.
#2 Joe Root Vs Zahid Mahmood
At the moment, Joe Root is the best Test batter in the world. The former captain of England has played 33 Test matches in various conditions around the world since COVID-19, scoring 3001 runs at an average of 55. In the second innings of the Rawalpindi Test, he made a crucial 73 runs, making the hosts’ chase more difficult.
In the initial match in this series, Zahid Mahmood made his Test debut. He returned with match figures of 6/319 in 44 overs, indicating that he did not play very well.
On a surface that provided little support for bowlers, particularly spinners, the England batters took him to the cleaners.
However, during the Test, the young wrist spinner was able to bowl the English batsman out twice. Mahmood might end up causing some trouble for Root if the spinners on the Multan wicket have some help.
The spinners will be under more pressure to perform well in the second Test due to the absence of Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.
#3 Mohammad Rizwan Vs James Anderson
In the longest format of the game, Rizwan is unquestionably one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen in the world. He has been even more consistent since his return in 2019 after making his debut in 2016. In 24 Test matches, he has scored 1294 runs at an average of 42.
Like a fine wine, James Anderson has aged. He currently holds the record for the third most wickets taken in Test cricket—behind only fast bowlers—with 672 scalps. In the past ten years, he has set a new standard for his peers by consistently delivering powerful performances in Asian conditions.
During the most recent Test, Anderson dispatched the Pakistan wicketkeeper twice. In the first innings, Rizwan hit it straight to midwicket, and in the second, he edged a delivery outside the off stump.
The latter turned out to be a pivotal point in the game. It ended the Test match and allowed England to break through Pakistan’s defenses.
For an exciting match, Rizwan will need to step up his game against the 40-year-old English legend.