England will unleash a three-pronged spin attack on a Rawalpindi pitch that Harry Brook considers to be “raked” by local groundstaff in an attempt to bring Pakistan’s spinners into play. Rehan Ahmed has been recalled and will take the field alongside Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach, with Gus Atkinson also returning to a side in which both Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts miss out.
Rehan played three Tests in India at the beginning of this year but has not featured for England in any format since February. England think they will need him as a third spin frontline option this week, with Pakistan going the extra mile to dry out the pitch in Rawalpindi after their 152-run victory on a recycled surface in Multan.
It was on these shores two years ago that Rehan made his international debut as an 18-year-old, taking 5/48 in the second innings in Karachi to orchestrate England’s eight-wicket win, which secured a 3-0 clean sweep. He’s hit a few bumps on the road since, taking 11 wickets at 44.00 across three appearances in India and conceding more than four runs per over.
🔒Locked in: Our XI for the final Test pic.twitter.com/RNn82j4ZD4
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 22, 2024
