Rehan Ahmed has been recalled to the England team for this week’s series decider against Pakistan in a clear hint that the tourists are expecting another turning surface in Rawalpindi.
Ahmed joins Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir as one of three frontline spinners in the XI, with Gus Atkinson brought in as the only other change from the second Test lineup. Seamers Matt Potts and Brydon Carse drop out for the contest, which starts on Thursday.
England recorded a stunning innings victory in the First Test in Multan after declaring on 823 for seven on a flat surface.
In a bid to level the series, Pakistan made the unprecedented decision to use the same pitch for last week’s second Test, but the move paid off as spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan took all 20 English wickets in a 152-run triumph.
Rawalpindi is typically regarded as one of Test cricket’s most batter-friendly venues and England compiled more than 500 runs on the opening day of the first Test at the ground on their last tour two years ago.
However, the surface for the third Test has been left baking in the sun this week, with the same style industrial fans used on the Multan pitch in action again as the hosts seek to create another turning track.
As a result, England have turned to Ahmed, who has not featured since the third Test of last winter’s tour to India and has never been capped outside Asia.
The spinner, still only 20, took a second-innings five-for on debut during the third Test of the 2022 tour and became the youngest man ever to play Test cricket for England at 18 years and 126 days.
Atkinson returns having been rested for the second Test and will play as the sole specialist seamer alongside captain and all-rounder Ben Stokes, but England’s shift to a spin-heavy balance means there is no place for Chris Woakes.
“They've had the rakes out, the fans and the heaters on the pitch," batter Harry Brook said. “It's interesting and it's unique. Hopefully, it'll be a nice pitch for the first couple of days and then we're expecting it to turn at the back end of the game.
"I'd say it will be a good pitch for the first day, two days maybe, then it will start spinning. God knows, to be honest. Everyone goes to look at the wicket and everyone says something different.
"Their spinners are obviously going to play a massive part this week. I've spoken to a few lads about game plans and how we'll go about it. Hopefully that pays off and I can play a big part in the game too."
