ENG vs PAK: 3rd Test Preview – Pakistan seek series-equaliser in final Test

The second Test match between England and Pakistan at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton saw only 134.3 overs being bowled. Inclement weather and bad light were present throughout the course of the Test thus dampening the thrill. Pakistan managed to complete their first innings and England batted out 43.1 overs when the play was eventually called off. Sadly the threat of rain interruption remains present even in the final Test of the three-match series. England with a 1-0 lead cannot lose the series. Pakistan will want to win this encounter and complete the Test series on level terms.

Match Info

England vs Pakistan: 3rd Test – 21st to 25th August

The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (03:30 PM IST)

The second Test match was played at the same venue. England’s only specialist off-spinner Dominic Bess did not bowl in the first innings. All of their pacers combined to bowl the 91.2 overs. Pakistan also dropped their second spinner, Shadab Khan. This indicates that both the teams will be adopting the pace strategy once again. The weather forecast predicts rain on three out of five days. Only the second and the third day are expected to be rain-free.

Head To Head:

Key Facts To Look Out For:

Team News

England:

England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes left the series to be with his family for personal reasons. Zak Crawley, who earned a place back in the team at the all-rounder’s expense, scored a confident half-century to secure his place to the third Test. The home side may take this opportunity to play with an all-pace attack. Jofra Archer could take Dominic Bess’ place as the off-spinner did not bowl even a single over in Pakistan’s first innings. England may also have look at including Mark Wood as they have been rotating their pace bowlers throughout the summer.

Pakistan:

The visitors made only one change to their side after conceding a difficult-to-swallow defeat in the first Test. They dropped their second spinner, Shadab Khan, to include a specialist batsman. Fawad Alam, who represented his nation in Tests after 11 years, fell for a duck. The batsman deserves to get another go. This will be the only decision over which Azhar Ali will have to ponder with the rest of the crew battling hard.

Probable XI