England have opted for a spin-heavy attack for the third Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, recalling Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir as well as 19-year-old Rehan Ahmed. According to England batsman Harry Brook, the decision came after the local ground staff in Pakistan deliberately “raked” the pitch in favor of spin.
The preparation of the pitch in Rawalpindi, which reportedly included the use of rakes, industrial fans and heaters to dry the surface, suggests a strategy by Pakistan to bring its spinners into the game, particularly the one used again in Multan. After their victory at Gai Patti.
Speaking ahead of the match, Brook expressed uncertainty about the surface but hoped for familiar conditions: “They had racks out on the pitch, fans and heaters. Everyone goes and looks at the wicket and says something different.. .Hopefully, it’s like any other Pakistani pitch, it’s good to bat on it for the first few days and then hopefully we can get out of it a bit at the back end of the game.
“I think the conditions are going to be a little bit different. We played on a very flat pitch here last time. It was fantastic to bat on, and we scored at a good rate of knots. This game is probably going to be a little bit different. It might be on first: who knows it might be a good pitch to start with and we get to a flyer,” he added.
Rehan Ahmed, who burst onto the international scene two years ago with a five-wicket haul in Karachi in Pakistan, is set to make his first appearance for England since February. His performance in that series secured a historic 3–0 sweep for England, but his progress has been inconsistent since then.
Despite these setbacks, England are committed to developing Rehan’s potential. He has continued to work on his game, particularly his batting, registering four fifties in the County Championship this summer. Rehan will bolster England’s lower order, batting at No.9, as the team looks to take advantage of the spin-friendly conditions in Rawalpindi.
Rehan’s inclusion means Gus Atkinson also returns to the squad, replacing Brayden Carsey and Matthew Potts, who have both been rested. Carrs, England’s standout bowler on the tour with nine wickets at 24.33, has been rested after a heavy workload bowling 67 overs in the first two Tests. Atkinson, who took four wickets in England’s innings win in the first Test, will provide the pace to complement the spin attack.
England Playing XI for 3rd Test: Zach Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (w), Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.