*OFFICIAL* England in Pakistan 2024

[Starfighter]

Anyone else sceptical that the groundsman could have prepared that pitch in the manner that Pakistan's XI is obviously hoping for? Like, I think it'll turn more, but will still be quite flat.

 

[Burgey]

The worst wicket of that series was the first test in Chennai

Shock me

 

[Spark]

lmao they actually picked sajid 7 again?

 

[Burgey]

sajid(7)

 

[CricAddict]

Stokes saying at the toss that they are going with 3 spinners. Can expect a lot of bowling for Root.

 

[Howe_zat]

That toss changed the odds from 3.5/1.6 to 2.75/1.95.

 

[Starfighter]

What's the under/over on Pakistan's score here? 200?

 

[Howe_zat]

What's the under/over on Pakistan's score here? 200?

350.5. It's the same pitch as last week, and unlikely to turn today. Pakistan really gambled on batting first.

 

[BazBall21]

Could be a massive toss. Interesting game ahead.

 

[Johan]

bowl them out day 1 and let Root/Brook bat 3 days imo

 

[Starfighter]

Could be a massive toss. Interesting game ahead.

Pitch could hold together too. I mean, if it's rock hard at the end of the last test, and is now, who says it couldn't be in five days' time?

There's a murmur going about that the third test could also be held in Multan due to protests in Rawalpindi. Maybe we can have a cricketing first and have three tests in a row on the same pitch.

 

[BazBall21]

Pitch could hold together too. I mean, if it's rock hard at the end of the last test, and is now, who says it couldn't be in five days' time?

There's a murmur going about that the third test could also be held in Multan due to protests in Rawalpindi. Maybe we can have a cricketing first and have three tests in a row on the same pitch.

A bit rubbish for England fans who booked and planned to travel to Rawalpindi

 

[Spark]

Pitch could hold together too. I mean, if it's rock hard at the end of the last test, and is now, who says it couldn't be in five days' time?

There's a murmur going about that the third test could also be held in Multan due to protests in Rawalpindi. Maybe we can have a cricketing first and have three tests in a row on the same pitch.

I mean Pakistan should really hope it holds together beyond just a cricketing sense. If it seriously goes sideways today or tomorrow and starts misbehaving badly then there should be serious sanctions applied above and beyond what is usually the case for a dodgy deck. As funny as the memeing is, they're playing with fire here.

 

[Starfighter]

If it seriously goes sideways today or tomorrow and starts misbehaving badly then there should be serious sanctions applied above and beyond what is usually the case for a dodgy deck. As funny as the memeing is, they're playing with fire here.

Why? Is really any difference between this and a deliberately underprepared pitch with a loose surface?

 

[Johan]

a spin wicket would be kind of stupid to make considering Duckett/Root/Brook are all capable players of spin while Pakistani batting isn't capable against anything.

 

[Spark]

Why? Is really any difference between this and a deliberately underprepared pitch with a loose surface?

Something about it being the same pitch makes it more egregious IMO. Even less plausible deniability then.

 

[BazBall21]

Why? Is really any difference between this and a deliberately underprepared pitch with a loose surface?

Is this an unprecedented tactic? It will be seen as reckless to say the least if the pitch goes haywire.

 

[Spark]

a spin wicket would be kind of stupid to make considering Duckett/Root/Brook are all capable players of spin while Pakistani batting isn't capable against anything.

Lottery wickets tend to equalise teams and bring mediocre bowlers into the game more than they help distinguish better batsmen. This is why a lot of the home Tests India have lost in the last few years have actually been on more dubious wickets (Pune, Indore etc)

 

[Starfighter]

Stop the press. Pakistan have a double figures opening partnership. Fo the first time in... fifteen innings I think?

 

[Silver Silva]

a spin wicket would be kind of stupid to make considering Duckett/Root/Brook are all capable players of spin while Pakistani batting isn't capable against anything.

Also why only go with one seamer if there is cracks and low bounce, not mention reverse swing potential