The second Test between Pakistan and England is being played in Multan. Babar Azam again lost the toss, Ben Stokes chose to bat.
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After losing the first test in Rawalpindi Babar Azam Made three changes in Pakistan’s playing XI for the Multan Test. Pakistan gave place to Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz in the team while Abrar Ahmed was given a chance to debut. However, one of the players who had to be dropped from the team was a shocking name. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah were ruled out due to injury but Pakistan’s senior batsman Azhar Ali was also dropped from the playing XI which is surprising. The interesting thing is that Babar Azam had praised him only 24 hours ago.
Babar Azam had said in the press conference held on Thursday in Multan that Azhar Ali is a senior player of Pakistan. As captain, he will support him and Azhar Ali himself will decide on his future. Azhar Ali’s fans were very happy to hear this from Babar, but before the Multan Test, the Pakistani captain dropped this senior player from the playing eleven.
Azhar Ali out despite good performance
The real reason why Azhar Ali was dropped is not yet known, but as far as performance is concerned, this player has batted well this year. Azhar Ali has scored 376 runs in 9 Test innings this year at an average of 41.77. During this, a century and a half-century have also come out of his bat. Even in Rawalpindi, Azhar Ali tried to avert Pakistan’s defeat by scoring 40 runs in the second innings, but after being praised by the captain, he was dropped from the playing eleven.
England won the toss in Multan
Like Rawalpindi, England captain Ben Stokes won the coin toss in Multan as well. He chose to bat first. There was only one change in the England team. When all-rounder Liam Livingston was ruled out of the series due to injury, Mark Wood got a place in the playing XI in his place. While Pakistan made three changes.
Pakistan’s playing XI- Abdullah Shafiq, Imam Ul Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Zahid Mehmood, Mohammad Ali and Abrar Ahmed.
England’s playing XI- Jack Crawley, Ben Duckett, Olly Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Will Jacks, Mark Wood, Jack Leach, James Anderson, Olly Robinson.
Source: www.tv9hindi.com