Ben Stokes, captain of England, stated on Thursday that Mark Wood’s express pace would assist offset the dry and spin-friendly conditions in the second Test against Pakistan.
England is on a high following a thrilling 74-run victory in the first Test and will seek to carry that momentum into Friday’s contest in Multan.
Stokes is sure that the inclusion of Wood, who replaces the injured Liam Livingstone, will liven up England’s bowling attack.
“Having someone in your squad who can bowl at 150 kilometers per hour is a huge advantage for any team in the globe, especially considering how difficult it is to win in Pakistan,” the England skipper remarked.
His presence will increase our ability to take 20 wickets.
Wood has not played a Test since March. A hip issue caused him to miss the opening game in Rawalpindi.
Ollie Pope will continue as wicketkeeper in place of Ben Foakes, who missed the match in Rawalpindi due to an unknown virus that infected the visiting team.
England’s primary spin options are Jack Leach and Will Jacks, who shared nine wickets on a lifeless Rawalpindi ground.
“The pitch is dry and it seems to be much more humid here than in Rawalpindi,” observed Stokes of the arid surface in Multan.
“You may observe reverse swing much early in a Test match.”
The England captain stated that he anticipates Pakistan to come back fighting to salvage the three-Test series, but that his team will not alter their methods.
We will maintain the same mentality for the next five days, and we hope that everything we do will help us leave with a 2-0 lead,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam stated that he hoped the Multan pitch will boost his spinners.
This one is dry, there will be spin and reverse swing, but you must play well to win,” he stated.
Pakistan has not yet determined whether they will include Faheem Ashraf or Mohammad Wasim Junior in their second Test pace attack.
