Pakistan v England, 2nd Test, Multan, 15-19 October, 2024

So same place, same time but also same pitch if the rumours are correct, which must be a first.

Everybody seems to think it will therefore be a turner. Pak have dropped Babar, Nassem [seems mad unless hes unfit] and Shaheen recalled 2 elderly spinners and newbies like Mumtaz and Kamran. Its suggested that Stokes will play instead of Woakes.

Dropping Babar and the two fast bowlers seems insane.

Peak Pakistan selection dumbfarquery

Naseem was their best seamer by a distance. Pakistani cricket is eating itself.

Always has, always will.

Stokes and Potts in for Woakes and Atkinson.

Hope the Pakistani bowlers can put up a better performance here. That was lamentable.

Pakistan 4-177 just after tea. Debutant Ghulam has reached 70 …

and this on a day 10 wicket that offers no assistance

Gollum closing on a ton on debut.

And he now has his ton on debut. Congrats to him.

Leach and Potts are both off the field.

Root and Carse are leading the attack.

Grim for England. Gollum might give Reggie Foster's debut record a shake.

Steady on.

I hope he and Rizwan can add a few more. They’re not even halfway to a competitive total yet, based on the last match.

New ball taken. Carse and Stokes, I presume.

Aw, sad. Gollum chucks his hand away - bowled (but would've been stumped) by the Bash for 118 just before Stumps.

Has Agha got another ton in him?

Pak 5-259 at Stumps. Rizwan looks in good touch, and 1st Test ton maker Agha is still there.

Possibly many more runs for the Wackies on offer, but if JtB is in the house, they could be AO 300.

Pitch has yet to come to life, no pace or bounce, Rizwan should have been out caught off Potts just b4 the close but although Potts wanted a review, Root said no. Now if he'd been Broad, i'm sure he'd review, but then if he'd been broad it wouldnt have been out Great innings by KG, apparently Babar hadnt scored a test 50 for 2 years!

Pak innings declining. Currently 7-302.

do we think that Pakistan missed a trick by not playing at least 1 fast bowler for variety?

They have one … but that’s it.

He seems to be able to bat well too.

One of the few to emerge from the last Pakistan tour of Oz in credit.

So they brought back Noyman Noyman.

‘spiny’