Multan, October 6, 2024: Pakistan is aiming to end their 10-match winless streak at home as they take on England in the first Test of the series at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday. Pakistan’s last Test victory on home soil came in February 2021 against South Africa in Rawalpindi. Since then, they have struggled to regain their form, enduring six losses and four draws—a drought that has frustrated fans and cricketing officials alike.
Since that 2021 win, Pakistan has played 23 Tests overall, managing to secure only eight victories. These wins came against lower-ranked sides, including two each against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, three against Sri Lanka, and one against the West Indies. In contrast, they have suffered 11 defeats, four of which came against Australia, with additional losses against Sri Lanka, the West Indies, Bangladesh, and England. The remaining four matches, all drawn, were against New Zealand and Australia.
Adding to the pressure, Pakistan captain Shan Masood has lost five consecutive matches under his leadership. Meanwhile, red-ball coach Jason Gillespie, now two years into his tenure, has yet to guide the team to a significant Test victory. The recent series defeat against Bangladesh also dashed Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final, scheduled for Lord’s in June 2025.
However, the Pakistan squad is eager to turn the page and focus on the present, determined to put an end to their home ground woes. Both Masood and Gillespie have called for resilience, encouraging the team to display a renewed fighting spirit for their supporters and stakeholders.
After their disappointing series against Bangladesh, several Pakistan players gained match practice by participating in the Champions One-Day Cup in Faisalabad. The team then convened in Multan on October 1 for a five-day training camp to prepare for the Test series against England and adjust to the local conditions.
The Multan Cricket Stadium is no stranger to intense contests between these two teams. The last time Pakistan and England met at this venue, England clinched a narrow 26-run victory. Pakistan can draw confidence from some individual performances during that match, including Abrar Ahmed’s 11-wicket haul and impressive batting from Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel.
This time around, England will be without key players like James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, and Mark Wood, all sidelined due to injury or retirement. Additionally, England captain Ben Stokes is still recovering from a hamstring injury, which could give Pakistan a much-needed edge.
Captain Shan Masood, reflecting on the upcoming series, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to turn things around. “We have a huge opportunity to reset against England and start strong in Multan. The team is motivated, and we’re looking for a memorable result,” Masood said.
Coach Jason Gillespie echoed this optimism, emphasizing that the team will focus on playing disciplined, consistent cricket. “Facing England is exciting, especially on home soil. If we stick to our plans, the results will come. We’re not underestimating them, but we believe we can match up well,” Gillespie stated on the PCB Podcast.
Both Masood and Gillespie are aware of the high stakes involved, but they remain hopeful that Pakistan can rediscover their winning form and inspire their supporters. As Masood put it, “Pressure is a privilege, and leading your country is an honor. We’re ready for the challenge.”
Playing XI for First Test:
Pakistan – Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
England – Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.