Pakistan v England (Men) 7th to 24th October 2024 - 3 Tests

Thursday 24th October 2024 - International Test Match Series - Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi - The 3rd and final Test.

England name Ahmed among three spinners to face Pakistan..by Stephan Shemilt, Chief Cricket Writer in Rawalpindi

i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/22/15/91139903-13986783-England_have_reacted_by_bringing_in_Rehan_Ahmed_as_part_of_a_thr-a-21_1729608332811.jpg
England have reacted by bringing in Rehan Ahmed as part of a three-man spin attack

England have recalled Rehan Ahmed as one of three frontline spinners for the series decider against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.

Leg-spinner Ahmed, 20, comes into the side alongside Gus Atkinson, replacing Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse from the side beaten in the second Test.

He will line up alongside Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach in a three-pronged spin attack, leaving Atkinson and captain Ben Stokes to shoulder the pace bowling.

England twice played three frontline spinners on their tour of India earlier this year and the move comes amid speculation over the surface for Thursday's third Test.

"We know it's probably not going to swing and seam and do all sorts in the first session, so we look at the pitch and work out what the best team is going to be," England batter Harry Brook told BBC Sport.

Ahmed made his international debut in Pakistan two years ago, at 18 becoming the youngest man to play Test cricket for England.

His 5-48 in the third Test in Karachi made him the third-youngest man to take a five-wicket haul on a Test debut. Ahmed has since won a total of four caps, the last of which came against India in Rajkot in February.

"He's an outstanding cricketer," added Brook. "It's not just his bowling, but his batting and fielding. He's a young lad so he has a lot of time to come.

"He got five-for in the last Test here, so hopefully he can do that again."

i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/22/15/91139909-13986783-Ben_Stokes_and_Brendon_McCullum_had_a_lengthy_inspection_of_the_-a-19_1729608332788.jpg
Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum had a lengthy inspection of the unique pitch on Tuesday

Pakistan levelled the series 1-1 on a reused pitch in Multan, with spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan sharing all 20 wickets.

As England trained in Rawalpindi for the first time on this tour on Tuesday, the large fans employed in Multan were again at either end of the pitch but not turned on.

On Sunday, pictures emerged on social media of patio heaters and windbreaks being placed around the strip in an attempt to dry it. They were removed by Monday, leaving just the industrial-sized fans.

"It's interesting and it’s unique," said Brook. "I think everyone is just guessing. We'll see in a couple of days.

"I'd say it will be a good pitch for the first day, two days maybe, then it will start spinning."

With left-armer Noman taking 11 wickets and off-spinner Sajid nine in the second Test, they became the first pair of bowlers to share all 20 wickets in a Test since 1972.

In the record-breaking win in the first Test Brook made England’s first triple-century in 34 years, then was out for nine and 16 in the second Test. Sajid revealed his plan for bowling at Brook, who was twice out trying to score off the back foot.

"We'll still look to score against them and put them under the pump," said 25-year-old Brook. "I'll go about it a little bit differently, so we'll see how we get on.

"I do like to play spin off the back foot. It gives you a lot more time to play the spinning ball; it gives you different areas to play in. I'm not going to say I’m not going to do that. I'll look to play off the back foot and look to put him under pressure."

England are looking for a second successive series win in Pakistan, after a 3-0 victory here two years ago.

Their triumph on this ground in the first Test of that series, in fading light in the final session of the fifth day, is one of their greatest overseas wins.

"It's very exciting," said Brook, who scored his maiden Test century in Rawalpindi. "We want to play in the big matches. It's like a final.

"It was a very special moment in my career and for the team. Winning in the last few moments of the game was really good.

"There's a really good photo of the final wicket. The memory will live with me forever. Hopefully we can perform well and get another win."

i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/20/13/91064389-13980325-image-a-42_1729428940212.jpg

Fukk my old boots. We`re well in this test match.
Pakistan 6 down and still 110 adrift.

Friday 25th October 2024 - 3rd International Test Match - Day 2 of 5 - Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi - England won the toss and decided to bat

England - 267 all out (68.2 overs) Smith 89, Duckett 54, Atkinson 39, Sajid Khan 6-128, Noman Ali 3-88

Pakistan - 344 all out (96.4 overs) Saud Shakeel 134, Noman Ali 45, Sajid Khan 48 not out, Ahmed 4-66, Bashir 3-129

England - 24-3 (9 overs) Duckett 12, Root 5 not out, Brook 3 not out, Noman Ali 2-9, Sajid Khan 1-14

Close: England trail Pakistan by 53 runs with 7 wickets remaining

ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/u0dl29/article68796454.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/Pakistan_England_Cricket_86686.jpg
Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel celebrates after scoring 134 on Day 2 of the 3rd Test between Pakistan and England, in Rawalpindi.


Match report by Stephan Shemilt, Chief Cricket Writer in Rawalpindi

A masterful century from Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel and late wickets from the spinners put England in huge danger after two days of the deciding Test in Rawalpindi.

Shakeel’s watchful 134, helped by lower-order partnerships with Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, pulled Pakistan up to 344, an unlikely lead of 77.

Sajid and Noman then combined to remove Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope to leave England 24-3, 53 behind.

The home side were in huge trouble at 177-7 when Rehan Ahmed took three wickets in the morning session.

But number nine Noman made a gritty 45 in an eighth-wicket stand of 88 with Shakeel that roasted England across the afternoon.

Even after Noman was lbw to Shoaib Bashir, Sajid arrived to cause chaos, clubbing 48 not out to add another 72 with Shakeel.

As the light faded, England were given around 40 minutes to bat, desperate to get to the weekend unscathed.

Instead, they were again tormented by Noman and Sajid and will begin Saturday far away from a total that could win the match and series.

WOW, IT LOOKS LIKE ENGLAND WANT THIS FINAL TEST OVER IN 4 DAYS, THE PAKISTAN TAIL WAGGED LIKE A SHEEPDOG ON SPEED.

Good news Alf, England are 1 run ahead, bad news is only 4 wickets left, it's a 3 day test match....