7 months ago
150
We are all set for the deciding Test match to get underway!
PITCH REPORT - Urooj Mumtaz is pitchside along with Nasser Hussain. They start by saying that it looks like a good surface but has a lot of cracks on it to begin with. Mention that it is rock hard underneath and it might turn as the sun continues to bake on it and there might not be much reverse swing. Mumtaz mentions that historically Pindi is good for the pacers with higher degrees of swing than the other venues but both teams have gone with an extra spinner.
Shan Masood, the captain of Pakistan says the toss sometimes goes your way and somtimes don't but they'll try and play good cricket. Adds they have to be consistent, back the players and give them as many matches as possible. Mentions they are excited to play against a team like England and they'll take it day by day.
Ben Stokes, the captain of England says that they will bat first. Mentions about the wicket and says it looks like a good wicket. Completely different type of wicket from the previous two test matches. Talking about getting Rehan Ahmed back into the side, Stokes says that he is always excited to play and is a free-spirited chap.
It's 1-1 after two different types of Tests in Multan in the series.
The toss goes your way sometimes, it doesn't at times, you'll have to play good cricket. You've to be consistent, back your players and give them chances, give the players as many Tests as possible. We'll have to wait to see how it plays, the preparation has been different and both teams have looked at that. We're all excited to play against a team like England, we'll have to take it day by day.
Pakistan skipper Shan Masood
We will bat first. We'll have to wait and see, looks like a good wicket for now and it's another challenge ahead of us. You have special moments as a team, but this is a completely different wicket. Great to have Rehan back, free-spirited cricketer and gives his best, whether it's with the bat, ball or in the field.
England captain Ben Stokes
England have won the toss and have opted to bat
Hello and welcome to the live blog of the third Test between Pakistan and England in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood.
England (Playing XI) - Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Gus Atkinson (In for Matthew Potts), Rehan Ahmed (In for Brydon Carse), Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.
TOSS - England have won the toss and will BAT first!
English (US)