Spin-Heavy XI's for Rawalpindi Test Between Pakistan and England

With two days left before the Rawalpindi Test, Pakistan announced their squad just a day after England did. The third and final Test between Pakistan and England will begin on Thursday in Rawalpindi. England has made two changes to their lineup, while Pakistan has kept an unchanged xi.

England welcomes back pacer Gus Atkinson and spinner Rehan Ahmed, who have replaced Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts. After their defeat in the second Test, England has opted for a spin-reliant lineup, featuring three spinners in their bowling attack.

Pakistan’s spinners Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali took all 20 wickets in the second Test, prompting England to adopt a spin-heavy strategy for the final match.

On the other hand, Pakistan, buoyed by their victory in the second Test after suffering a heavy defeat in the first, has retained their winning combination in the hopes of continuing their momentum.

With both teams having won one Test each, the series is currently tied at 1-1, making the third Test a crucial decider for both sides.

🔒Locked in: Our XI for the final Test pic.twitter.com/RNn82j4ZD4

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 22, 2024

England XI for the Third Test:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (Captain), Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.

The men’s national selection committee has confirmed Pakistan’s playing XI for the third Test against England, starting in Rawalpindi on Thursday, 24 October.#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/bkXGNhXYBu

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 23, 2024

Pakistan XI for the Third Test:

Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (Captain), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Aamir Jamal, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Zahid Mahmood.