Ben Stokes, the returning captain of England, stated on Monday that he thinks the tourists, not the spin-heavy hosts, will benefit from a repurposed surface for the second Test match against Pakistan in Multan.
Desperate to level the three-match series after an innings and 47-run defeat on Friday, Pakistan named three spinners in four changes from the first Test.
In a rare move, Pakistan — who have now gone winless in 11 home Tests since February 2021 — decided to use the same flat surface on which England piled up 823-7 declared in reply to their 556 all out.
“If you look at the way that the first Test played out, if another wicket like that was produced, maybe that gives us more of an advantage,” said Stokes, back in the side after missing the first Test with a hamstring injury.
Despite the first innings run-fest — with Harry Brook smashing 317 and Joe Root making 262 — England bowled out Pakistan for 220 in their second innings to secure a remarkable victory.
England left out seamers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes to bring in Matthew Potts and Stokes, but kept the same spinners in Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir.
“You’d like to think it might be a bit more in favour of the spin, so if it does spin more, or if it does reverse more, there’s more options there for both teams,” added Stokes.
The all-rounder, who may not yet be fit to bowl, said he has never seen such a strategy before.
“It could be a tactic, but I’ve never seen a pitch before used in back-to-back games. And I’ve never seen fans that big standing as umpires,” he said, referring to two big industrial fans at both ends being used to dry the pitch.
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