Pakistan name a solitary seamer for second Test; Kamran Ghulam to debut

Pakistan have named their starting XI for the second Test against England in Multan and, in an astonishing move, the hosts have decided to go with just one pacer. Aamer Jamal, who registered figures of 1/126 in the first Test, is the only seam bowling option in the starting XI with Pakistan opting to pick three spinners: Sajid Khan, Noman Ali and Zahid Mahmood. 

It is to be noted that the same pitch used for the first Test will be used for the second as well, and so expecting the track to significantly assist spin, the hosts have beefed up their spin-bowling resources.

These three spinners aside, there is also Salman Agha in the starting XI who bowls off-spin.It was in fact Salman that took the wicket of Joe Root in the first Test and broke the record 454-run stand between Root and Harry Brook.

Another individual capable of rolling his arm over is Kamran Ghulam, who has been confirmed to make his debut in the second Test. Ghulam, a middle-order batter, will bat at No.4 and will take the place of Babar Azam. The 29-year-old is capable of bowling left-arm spin and has 28 first-class wickets to his name.

The top three remains unchanged, with Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique and skipper Shan Masood completing the top-order.

Pakistan XI for second Test

Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (capt), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (vc), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood

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