ABOUT THE MATCH

Whenever two imperfect sides are playing against each other in perfectly balanced conditions, then watching that match is the most exciting one. Exactly this happened in the 1st Test match between England and Pakistan. In this game, England somehow managed to win the test match. Now, Pakistan doesn’t have enough time to stay on the failed opportunities and have only one chance to come back from 1-0 down.

The second test match between England and Pakistan is scheduled to be held on 13th August in Southampton, at the Rose Bowl. Now, the time has come to see can Pakistan will return in the Test series or the same will repeat this time also?

Teams & Players’ performance Analysis:

Pakistan

In the 1st Test match, the pace attack of Pakistan Afridi-Shah-Abbas has shown very good bowling despite the team had to go through an unfortunate defeat. In the 2nd Test, it will be interesting to see the team composition of Pakistan’s bowling department.

Pakistan possible XI: 1. Shan Masood, 2. Abid Ali, 3. Azhar Ali (c), 4. Babar Azam, 5. Asad Shafiq, 6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7. Shadab Khan/Fawad Alam, 8. Yasir Shah, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10. Naseem Shah, 11. Mohammad Abbas

England

Without the Test vice-captain of England, Ben Stokes, who has to miss the remaining Test series because of family reasons, now Zak Crawley is the obvious option to replace him. Also, Ollie Robinson has been recalled to the test team of England amid rumors of the retirement of James Anderson from Test cricket.

England possible XI: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Dominic Sibley, 3. Zak Crawley, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ollie Pope, 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Chris Woakes, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Dom Bess, 10. Stuart Broad, 11. Ollie Robinson/James Anderson

Pitch Report:

The surface in Southampton is always helpful for pacers and spinners also have got some advantages of late. It can be the most critical factor to decide the destiny of the match.

Weather condition:

For the second Test match, the weather forecast looks cloudy a bit with some showers and on the first two days of the match, the thunderstorm is also expected.

Match Preview:

Pakistan:

  • In the four days of the 1st Test match, Pakistan must be wondering how they could lose the match even though they had the upper hand in so many sessions, but they failed to obstruct Buttler and Woakes.
  • Towards the conclusion of the Test, Azhar Ali, the Pakistan captain came under pressure for some of his crucial decisions and his bad performance in the 1st match will make him desperate to give his best in the 2nd Test.
  • After continuing with leg-spinners duo, Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah, Pakistan may return to only one as the impact of Shadab was below the normal despite his crucial fifty runs in the first innings and in the middle order, Fawad Alam’s chance is more to strengthen the batting department.

England:

  • Despite the below performance of team England in 1st three days of the 1st Test match against Pakistan, they able to produce a tremendous comeback in the final day with Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler. Their heroics performance led the team to win at Old Trafford with three- wickets.
  • After the 1st Test match, news came that England star player Ben Stokes will not be able to play the remaining test matches for personal reasons. It enforces England to include Zak Crawley to solidify the middle order in the batting side.
  • There is a probability that they turn their bowling attack which might give chance to Sam Curran and Mark Wood to come into the attacking stage in case they decide to give Jofra Archer and Jimmy Anderson a bit rest but apart from that, no other specific changes are expected.

Head to head:

  • Overall Test Matches – 84
  • England won – 26
  • Pakistan won – 21
  • Draw – 37
  • Tied – 0

Team form in last 5 matches:

  • Pakistan –  W, L, W, L, L
  • England –  L, W, L, W, W

Probable top performers:

  • Pakistan – Babar Azam, Yasir Shah
  • England– Joe Root, Jofra Archer

Broadcast Details:

  • Tv – Sony Ten Network
  • Live Streaming – Sony Liv App
  • Match Timings – 13th August 2020 at 03:30 PM IST

Probable winning team:

The men in Green will definitely want to correct their errors in the 2nd Test match. Also, Ben Stokes’ absence can give some advantage to the opponent. By seeing all the stats and analyses, most probably the Azhar-Ali lead team will capitalize on the match to mark a win.