Pakistan vs England, 1st Test
Preview
Preview:
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the first Test between Pakistan and England after the visitors were laid low by a virus that infected as many as 14 members of the squad. Joe Root, who was also amongst those affected, managed to stage a quick recovery which has also given hope that the rest of the infected members would also be able to recover in time.
Meanwhile, both the boards have been engaged in discussions over the possibility of a delayed start to the Test, and pushing it to Friday instead. It would still be played as a five-day Test but the decision has been deferred until Thursday morning.
"The two boards made the decision based on medical advice from the England doctors, which revolved around the players' health and welfare, agreeing that the England cricket team are able to select an XI for the first of the three ICC World Test Championship matches, which will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
"The two boards also agreed, subject to the England players not recovering well enough to take the field on Thursday morning, then the Test will commence on Friday and will be a five-day match. In this scenario, the schedule of the second Test in Multan and the third Test in Karachi will remain unaffected and will be played as per original schedule i.e. 9-13 and 17-21 December, respectively," said a joint PCB-ECB statement on the eve of the scheduled start of play.
England had already announced their playing eleven with Liam Livingstone set to debut but that, and other decisions on selection could yet be hampered by the outbreak of the viral infection.
When: Thursday December 1 at 10:00 AM or Friday, December 2 at 10:00 AM
Where: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Team news:
Pakistan:With the exclusion of veteran Yasir Shah and in the absence of the injured Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan's bowling line-up could have a few fresh faces drafted in. Legspinner Abrar Ahmed, one of the four slow bowling options, had been called up into the squad after a good domestic season, and could be in line for a debut.
Squad: Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Imam ul Haq, Shan Masood, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Ali.
England:After making their intent clear of prioritising a win or a loss over draws, England have adopted a high-risk, high-reward brand of cricket so far. It has yielded them good results at home so far. But this will be their first challenge away from home, and in conditions that are vastly different. Their approach here will therefore be of much interest.
Probable XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Ben Foakes, Liam Livingstone, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson.
Squads:
England Squad: Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Keaton Jennings, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes(w), Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood
Pakistan Squad: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali, Zahid Mahmood, Abrar Ahmed
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