- Mohammad Rizwan could be rested for second Test: sources.
- Pakistan ‘consider’ two spinners, Ubaid Shah for Lord’s.
- Agha admits England outplayed Pakistan in opening Test.
Pakistan are considering changes to their playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord’s after suffering a heavy defeat in the series opener at Headingley, sources said on Sunday.
England defeated Pakistan by an innings and 120 runs in the opening Test on Friday. Pakistan, who faced a 238-run deficit after England’s first innings, were bowled out for 118 in their second innings as the hosts secured a convincing victory.
The second Test of the three-match series is scheduled to begin at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, on August 27.
The sources said the team management is considering changes to the line-up following the defeat, with the playing XI expected to be finalised after assessing conditions in London.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could be rested for the second Test, sources said, while the management is hopeful of star batter Babar Azam returning to the side after he missed the first Test due to a finger injury.
If Babar returns, top-order batter Azan Awais is likely to be dropped, the sources added.
Pakistan could also field two specialist spinners at Lord’s, with sources saying the expected dry conditions and a relatively flat pitch in London are being taken into consideration.
Right-arm pacer Ubaid Shah is also in contention for the second Test, with his pace potentially giving him an advantage in the selection process.
The team management will assess the conditions after the squad reaches London before finalising the playing XI, they added.
Pakistan’s first-Test defeat exposed a number of weaknesses in a side still finding its feet in English conditions.
Stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha, leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Babar Azam, admitted that England had outplayed Pakistan and pointed to repeated mistakes as a major reason for the comprehensive defeat.
Agha also identified an inexperienced batting line-up and the bowlers’ failure to exploit early moisture as key shortcomings. His assessment underlined Pakistan’s difficulty in adapting to English conditions and making the most of opportunities when they arise.
Yet there were reasons for optimism, with Agha backing the pace attack despite criticism over speed and highlighting the performances of Abdullah Shafique and left-arm spinner Ali Usman.
