Pakistan’s Home Test Series Win Against England: A Pitch Perfect Story
In a thrilling cricket series, Pakistan recently triumphed over England 2-1 in a Test series held at Multan and Rawalpindi. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitches used as “satisfactory.” This series marked Pakistan’s first home Test series win since February 21, drawing attention for the unique pitch preparations.
Multan Test Highlights
The series began in Multan on a pitch that initially had some grass but turned flat. Pakistan scored 556 runs, but England responded with a massive 827/7 declared, thanks to Joe Root’s 262 and Harry Brook’s 317. Despite expectations of a draw, Pakistan’s third-inning collapse led to England’s victory by an innings and 47 runs.
Pitch Strategy Changes
Following the defeat, Pakistan’s approach to pitch preparation changed. A new selection committee, including Aaqib Javed and Aleem Dar, decided to continue using the Multan surface. Giant fans were employed to dry the pitch, aiding spinners. This strategy was also applied in Rawalpindi, known for its lack of spin.
Spin Dominance
The pitches in both locations offered sharp spin and uneven bounce, benefiting Pakistan’s spinners. All 40 of England’s wickets in the second and third games fell to spin, contributing to Shan Masood’s first series win as Test captain.
ICC Pitch Ratings
The ICC rates pitches from very good to unfit. Venues receiving unsatisfactory ratings get one demerit point, while unfit ratings earn three. Accumulating five demerit points in five years results in a 12-month suspension from hosting international matches.
Doubts Revealed
Test Series -: A Test series in cricket is a set of matches played between two teams, usually consisting of five-day games. It’s a longer format compared to other types of cricket matches.
Multan and Rawalpindi -: Multan and Rawalpindi are cities in Pakistan where the cricket matches were played. They have stadiums where international cricket games are held.
ICC -: ICC stands for International Cricket Council, which is the global governing body for cricket. They make rules and organize international tournaments.
Pitch -: In cricket, the pitch is the rectangular area in the center of the field where the ball is bowled and played. The condition of the pitch can affect how the game is played.
Spinners -: Spinners are types of bowlers in cricket who use their fingers or wrists to spin the ball, making it turn sharply when it bounces on the pitch. This can make it difficult for batsmen to play.
Shan Masood -: Shan Masood is a Pakistani cricketer who was the captain of the team during this series. It was his first time leading the team to a series win in Test matches.
Pitch Rating System -: The pitch rating system is used by the ICC to evaluate the quality of the cricket pitch. It helps ensure that the pitch is fair and suitable for playing international matches.
