Lord\u2019s
\nPakistan are considering changes to their playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord\u2019s after suffering a heavy defeat in the series opener at Headingley, sources said on Sunday.
\nEngland defeated Pakistan by an innings and 120 runs in the opening Test on Friday. Pakistan, who faced a 238-run deficit after England\u2019s first innings, were bowled out for 118 in their second innings as the hosts secured a convincing victory.
\nThe second Test of the three-match series is scheduled to begin at Lord\u2019s Cricket Ground, London, on August 27.
\nThe sources said the team management is considering changes to the line-up following the defeat, with the playing XI expected to be finalised after assessing conditions in London.
\nWicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could be rested for the second Test, sources said, while the management is hopeful of star batter Babar Azam returning to the side after he missed the first Test due to a finger injury.
\nIf Babar returns, top-order batter Azan Awais is likely to be dropped, the sources added.
\nPakistan could also field two specialist spinners at Lord\u2019s, with sources saying the expected dry conditions and a relatively flat pitch in London are being taken into consideration.
\nRight-arm pacer Ubaid Shah is also in contention for the second Test, with his pace potentially giving him an advantage in the selection process.
\nThe team management will assess the conditions after the squad reaches London before finalising the playing XI, they added.
\nPakistan\u2019s first-Test defeat exposed a number of weaknesses in a side still finding its feet in English conditions.
\nStand-in captain Salman Ali Agha, leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Babar Azam, admitted that England had outplayed Pakistan and pointed to repeated mistakes as a major reason for the comprehensive defeat.
\nAgha also identified an inexperienced batting line-up and the bowlers\u2019 failure to exploit early moisture as key shortcomings. His assessment underlined Pakistan\u2019s difficulty in adapting to English conditions and making the most of opportunities when they arise.
\nYet there were reasons for optimism, with Agha backing the pace attack despite criticism over speed and highlighting the performances of Abdullah Shafique and left-arm spinner Ali Usman.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lord\u2019s Pakistan are considering changes to their playing XI for the second Test against England at Lord\u2019s after suffering a heavy defeat in the series opener at Headingley, sources said on Sunday. England defeated Pakistan by an innings and 120 runs in the opening Test on Friday. Pakistan, who faced a 238-run deficit after England\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":563697,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-563686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n