Pakistan relies on the winning combination to clinch the series win against England

Pakistan is following the ‘No need to fix it if it's not broken’ template to deal with England in the third and final Test. The home side announced the playing 11 for the ultimate Pakistan vs England game on Wednesday. No changes have been made to the side that leveled the series by winning the second Test on the used pitch in Multan. While the first two Tests were played in Multan with the same pitch used for both matches, the final Test is scheduled to start on October 24 in Rawalpindi. Reportedly, Pakistan is likely to unleash their spin attack on the visitors, keeping the plans the same as those that helped them win in Multan.

Pakistan announces Playing 11 for the final Test against England in Rawalpindi

Pakistan finally overcame their disappointing 11-match losing streak at home when they triumphed against the touring England side in Multan during the second Test. The win, boosted by impressive spells from spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, brought Pakistan into contention to win the series. Now, if the home side manages to claim victory in the final Test in Rawalpindi, they will win a red-ball series at home after more than three years. The team last won a Test series at home in 2021 when South Africa toured Pakistan.

The victory in Multan was largely carried by the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, who shared the 20 wickets between them. Now, as the team prepares to clash at a different venue, Pakistan is trying to make the pitch in Rawalpindi as spin-friendly as possible. Images emerging from Rawalpindi ahead of the third England Test revealed the use of industrial fans to dry the turf. Moreover, with the conditions in Rawalpindi being less scorching than in Multan, Pakistan needs to undertake extra measures to reduce the aid for pace at the venue.

England, meanwhile, is keeping up with the preparations underway in Rawalpindi for the series decider. The visitors have named an additional spinner in their playing XI as they brace for the challenge. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed will join forces with Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach in an attempt to topple Pakistan in their own conditions. Apart from Rehan, pacer Gus Atkinson has been included in the team for the final Test. Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse have exited the playing XI, making way for the spinner and pacer.

Pakistan Playing 11: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Zahid Mehmood.

England Playing 11: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson