Shan Masood and Jason Gillespie could choose to go with two spinners in the Multan Test © AFP
Since Pakistan neutered the pitches for the three Tests against Australia in 2022, the 22-yards have become one of the most anticipated subjects in the lead up to an international red ball contest in the country.
Pitches deserve all the hype and sensationalism in the longer format as they dictate team combinations, captain's decision at the toss, and provide glimpses into what the future holds. It is their ever-evolving nature that make Test cricket stand apart from the other formats. They make the sport, as a whole, exciting and fun to watch.
But, Pakistan's newfound obsession to alter the very characteristics of the pitches has thrown away all the usually held notions about the behaviour of the strips in the country and has left the team itself unsure about the brand of cricket they want to play (or, they can play).
Pakistan recently rolled out green surfaces in Rawalpindi and ended up losing their first-ever Test and series to Bangladesh. 2024 has been a year of lows for Pakistan cricket, but it was a point that made many stop and take stock of the game's health in the country.
Shan Masood defended the strategy by revealing how his side wanted to emulate Australian conditions, which, according to the Pakistan captain, suit the team's style of play.
Come the England series and pitches are back in the limelight. Players have been regularly questioned about it and Zak Crawley - in what was the first media interaction from England's camp on Friday - shared how he expected the pitches to be seam-friendly following the Pakistan captain's remarks.
Just that Pakistan - who last played in Multan against the same opposition in 2022 - had other plans.
As Pakistan and England practiced at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday - two days out of the first Test - the pitch remained under cover. The area that was uncovered - beyond the bowling crease from the Far End - gave an impression of it being a grassy surface.
It turned out to be one when, almost an hour into the session, Tony Hemming uncovered a small part of it to bring Jason Gillespie up to speed on its preparation. The two chatted for a few minutes before Hemming rolled back the cover.
Hemming and his team waited for the two teams to leave the premises - or England to announce the squad, it depends on how you look at it - before they completely removed the cover and began to work on it. They shaved the pitch for a few minutes and by 4pm the pitch had changed its complexion completely, becoming yellowish and bright.
Pakistan are yet to name their XI. They announced the one for the first Bangladesh Test two days out of the contest and trimmed their squad to 12 a day out of the second one.
But, after today's episode, it is safe to assume Pakistan are contemplating going in the contest with two regular spinners for the first time this season.
Since Pakistan neutered the pitches for the three Tests against Australia in 2022, the 22-yards have become one of the most anticipated subjects in the lead up to an international red ball contest in the country.
Pitches deserve all the hype and sensationalism in the longer format as they dictate team combinations, captain's decision at the toss, and provide glimpses into what the future holds. It is their ever-evolving nature that make Test cricket stand apart from the other formats. They make the sport, as a whole, exciting and fun to watch.
But, Pakistan's newfound obsession to alter the very characteristics of the pitches has thrown away all the usually held notions about the behaviour of the strips in the country and has left the team itself unsure about the brand of cricket they want to play (or, they can play).
Pakistan recently rolled out green surfaces in Rawalpindi and ended up losing their first-ever Test and series to Bangladesh. 2024 has been a year of lows for Pakistan cricket, but it was a point that made many stop and take stock of the game's health in the country.
Shan Masood defended the strategy by revealing how his side wanted to emulate Australian conditions, which, according to the Pakistan captain, suit the team's style of play.
Come the England series and pitches are back in the limelight. Players have been regularly questioned about it and Zak Crawley - in what was the first media interaction from England's camp on Friday - shared how he expected the pitches to be seam-friendly following the Pakistan captain's remarks.
Just that Pakistan - who last played in Multan against the same opposition in 2022 - had other plans.
As Pakistan and England practiced at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday - two days out of the first Test - the pitch remained under cover. The area that was uncovered - beyond the bowling crease from the Far End - gave an impression of it being a grassy surface.
It turned out to be one when, almost an hour into the session, Tony Hemming uncovered a small part of it to bring Jason Gillespie up to speed on its preparation. The two chatted for a few minutes before Hemming rolled back the cover.
Hemming and his team waited for the two teams to leave the premises - or England to announce the squad, it depends on how you look at it - before they completely removed the cover and began to work on it. They shaved the pitch for a few minutes and by 4pm the pitch had changed its complexion completely, becoming yellowish and bright.
Pakistan are yet to name their XI. They announced the one for the first Bangladesh Test two days out of the contest and trimmed their squad to 12 a day out of the second one.
But, after today's episode, it is safe to assume Pakistan are contemplating going in the contest with two regular spinners for the first time this season.