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- World Test Championship cycle matches to be played in Multan, Rawalpindi
- Pakistan have not won a Test match on home ground since February 2021
ISLAMABAD: The England cricket team arrived in Pakistan today, Wednesday, to play a three-match Test series from Oct. 7-28, a month after Bangladesh completed a 2-0 series sweep against Pakistan.
The three-match series is part of the World Test Championship cycle. After being whitewashed by Bangladesh at home this month, Pakistan are placed at number eight on the points table, just ahead of the West Indies.
The English side is led by all-rounder Ben Stokes and will resume practice from Oct. 4 after resting on Oct. 2-3.
“The first Test match between Pakistan and England will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium from October 7. The second Test will also be played in Multan from October 15, while the third Test will be played in Rawalpindi from October 24.”
Pakistan have a busy cricket schedule in the months to come, with the green shirts scheduled to play an away white-ball series against Australia in November before playing another white-ball series against Zimbabwe in November and December.
The green shirts will tour South Africa for a T20, ODI and Test series in December and January before they host the West Indies for a Test series the same month.
Pakistan’s recent lackluster performances in all three formats of the game have invited scathing criticism from cricket experts and fans alike. Both have blamed a lack of quality pitches and infrastructure in the country for Pakistan’s hapless performances while many also point to frequent changes in the PCB’s management and a lack of unity in the team for Pakistan’s losses.
The country has not won a Test match at home since Feb. 2021.
On Wednesday, the PCB confirmed batting ace Babar Azam had tendered his resignation as Pakistan men’s white-ball captain on Tuesday evening, and it had been accepted by the Board. The national selection committee has been tasked with beginning the process of formulating future white-ball cricket strategies, including recommending a new captain, the PCB said.
“Although the PCB had backed Babar Azam as the white-ball captain, his decision to step down reflects his desire to focus more on making a greater impact as a player.
“This decision is a testament to his professionalism and commitment to Pakistan cricket. He believes that dedicating himself fully to his batting will enable him to play a more decisive role in the team’s success in the shorter formats.
“The PCB acknowledges Babar’s contributions as white-ball captain, his ability to prioritize the team’s needs and his unwavering dedication to Pakistan cricket. The PCB will continue to support Babar Azam, recognizing he still has much to offer both as a world-class batter and a senior statesman of the team.”
Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Zahid Mehmood.
England squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.