In a playful showdown with England coach Brendon McCullum, captain Ben Stokes faced a tough challenge in a six-hitting contest, reminiscent of a similar experience before the last Test in Pakistan two years ago. Stokes expressed concern over a questionable throw from Paul Collingwood during the competition.
Surprisingly, Rehan Ahmed emerged as the overall winner, defeating Harry Brook in the final, while Joe Root and Jamie Smith also impressed with their powerful shots.
Ahmed’s success follows his recall as a third spinner for a much-anticipated Test series, where Pakistan aims to leverage spin to secure victory at Multan, having won the second Test with this strategy. Preparations on the pitch seem intense, featuring industrial fans and heaters, raising eyebrows about the condition. Notably, markings on the pitch hint at unusual preparation techniques that may influence play.
The consensus is that the pitch will favor batsmen initially, making the toss somewhat less critical than in previous Tests—good news for England, who are on a seven-match losing streak. Stokes confirmed that while the pitch will be good for batting at first, spin will become more pronounced as the match progresses.
While England appears relaxed heading into this final Test, Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie reflects on his team’s uncertain dynamics. Despite breaking a long winless streak in the last Test, Gillespie mentions that a new selection process is in place, leaving him to focus solely on match strategies rather than player selections.
As both teams prepare for their upcoming matches—England headed for New Zealand and Pakistan looking to the future—Stokes emphasized the importance of claiming a series victory, particularly in challenging conditions like those found in Pakistan. A win would certainly soften the sting of his earlier defeat in the six-hitting contest.
