Pakistan are considering changes to their playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord’s, sources said on Sunday, after a heavy defeat in the series opener (Geo News).
The match begins on August 27.
Who comes in
The management is hopeful of Babar Azam returning, having missed the first Test with a finger injury.
If he plays, top-order batter Azan Awais is likely to be dropped, according to sources. Awais made nine in the second innings at Headingley, falling to Jofra Archer in the fourth over.
Pakistan are also considering playing two spinners, and Ubaid Shah is under consideration.
Who might sit out
More surprisingly, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could be rested.
Rizwan top-scored in Pakistan’s second innings with 41 from 39 balls — the only innings of any resistance in a total of 135. Resting the one batter who looked capable of scoring is the kind of decision that requires explanation, and none has been reported beyond workload.
The XI is expected to be finalised after assessing conditions in London.
What they are trying to fix
Pakistan were bowled out for 171 and 135 at Headingley and lost by an innings and 103 runs inside three days, in a match whose opening session was washed out.
Captain Salman Ali Agha admitted England had outplayed them.
The one success was Ali Usman, whose 5 for 92 was his maiden Test five-wicket haul and the first by an overseas spinner at Headingley since 1972. The case for a second spinner at Lord’s follows partly from that.
Two Tests remain in the series.
