Following Story was posted prior to the beginning of 2nd Test Match between Pakistan and England at Leeds on June 1, 2018.
With high morale and boosted confidence, Pakistan have an excellent opportunity to beat England in Test Series on their Soil after 22 years as last time, Wasim Akram-led Side caused a defeat to the Host in England in 1996 in a three-match Test Series by 2-0.
In two-match Series, Pakistan lead by 1-0 after a thumbing nine-wicket victory at Lord’s in the first Test match and the second Test is set to begin at Headingley in Leeds on Friday (June 1, 2018).
Under the Captaincy of Joe Root, England have really been struggling to adjust in the longest former of the game, and out of their last eight Test matches, they tasted defeat in six while two ended in draw.
After August 2010, Pakistan have not lost a Test Series against England. Since then, they faced each other in three bilateral Test Series (Two in UAE and one in England) excluding the current one. Pakistan won both the Series in UAE and drew in England 2-2.
For the second Test beginning today at Headingley, Pakistan’s Usman Salahuddin will make his Test debut after Babar Azam suffered a forearm injury at Lord’s Test and eventually was ruled out of the Series while the rest of the Squad is likely to remain the same.
On the other hand, England’s Ben Stokes is a doubt for the second Test after suffering a hamstring injury. Chris Woakes is expected to replace Ben Stokes whereas the Opener Mark Stoneman may also fail to find his place in the Squad, and be replaced by Keaton Jennings.
Earlier in the first match of two-match Test series held from May 24 to 27 at Lord’s, Pakistan beat England by nine wickets with Muhammad Abbas receiving Man of the Match award for his 8 wickets in the match.
