Pakistan is set to face England in a three-match Test series, with the first match starting on Monday, October 7, in Multan. The Pakistan team, led by Shan Masood, are coming into this series on the back of an embarrassing 2-0 loss to Bangladesh in Tests at Rawalpindi.
The players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan have been involved in intense practice session in the run up to the crucial Test match.
BET NOW: Bet here on PAK vs ENG Test series and win cash bonuses
The team practiced on pitches that offered bounce, preparing for both pace and spin challenges.
England, on the other hand, enters the series after a 2-1 victory against Sri Lanka, however, their loss in the 3rd Test might have dented their confidence with World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake.
MORE: Red soil vs Black soil pitch difference in cricket explained: Will it help spinners or pacers?
This series will be important for both teams as they look to strengthen their standings in the World Test Championship. Ahead of the first Test between the two sides, The Sporting News takes a look at the pitch report and previous records at this venue.
The Multan Cricket Stadium has hosted a total of 6 Test matches so far. 4 of these matches have been won by the team batting first, while 1 match was won by the team batting second.
| Team | Won |
|---|---|
| Batting First | 3 |
| Batting Second | 2 |
| Draw | 1 |
The Multan Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of about 35,000 spectators.
The pitch at Multan Cricket Stadium was reported to have tinges of grass on the surface ahead of the first Test match.
It is generally best suited for batters with seam bowlers getting assistance in the early days.
Teams might look to bat first on this surface and spinners are expected to come into play during the last two days.
| Average first innings score in Multan | 333 |
|---|---|
| Matches won after batting first | 3 |
| Matches won by chasing team | 2 |
In the last Test at Multan in 2022, it was a match between the current two sides, Pakistan and England, which marked the return of international red-ball cricket to the venue after 16 years.
The previous Test at this ground was won by England after they batted first and posted a total of 281 runs and in reply, the home team was bundled out for 202 runs.
Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope scored half-centuries while Abrar Ahmed impressed with a 7/114 in his debut series. Babar Azam top scored for Pakistan with 75 runs alongside Saud Shakeel’s 63. Jack Leach was pick of the bowlers for the visitors with 4/98.
In the second innings, Duckett scored another fifty with 79 runs while Harry Brook recorded the Test’s first century with 108 runs. Abrar once again shined with the ball, taking 4/120 as England posted 275 on board, setting up a target of 354.
Despite a fighting inning from Saud (94), Pakistan managed to score just 328 in the chase, as they suffered a defeat by 26 runs.
MORE: PAK playing XI for 1st Test vs ENG: Afridi & Jamal return
The highest team score at Multan Cricket Stadium is 675/5 d, made by India in a match against Pakistan back in 2004. Virender Sehwag played a historic 309 run- inning where Sachin Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 194* before Rahul Dravid decided to declare the inning.
More: How to buy tickets for India v New Zealand 1st Test at Bengaluru?
In 2001, Bangladesh recorded the lowest team score in Tests at Multan Cricket Stadium. They were bowled out for just 134 runs against Pakistan.
Danish Kaneria was the Player of the Match with 6/42 and 6/52 as he finished with 12 wickets in the Test.
More: Have Team India struggled against spin in Test cricket recently? Detailing Indian batters’ record vs spin in home Tests since 2021
The highest individual score at Multan Cricket Stadium in Tests is 309 runs, scored by Virender Sehwag. He scored this remarkable total against Pakistan in 2004 tour.
The best bowling figure at Multan Cricket Stadium in Tests belongs to Abrar Ahmed. He took 7 wickets for 114 runs, when England last visited the venue back in 2022.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf has scored the most runs at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Tests. From 2001 to 2006, the right-handed batter scored 517 runs in 4 matches, averaging 86.16 with a highest score of 191. He has hit 3 centuries and 1 half-century at this venue.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on Test Cricket action
Pakistan’s wrist spinner Danish Kaneria, has taken the most wickets at this venue in Tests. He has taken 22 wickets in 3 Tests with an average of 20.13.
According to Dafabet, Pakistan are the slight favorites to win the 1st Test match against England.
| Team | Betting odds |
| Pakistan | 1.82 |
| England | 1.96 |
MORE: Fans react: ‘Mayank Yadav is what we wanted Umran Malik to be’
