ENGLAND received a massive boost ahead of the second Test against Pakistan.
The tourists declared on a staggering 823-7 at Multan last week as they won the opening match by an innings and 47 runs.
And now in a highly unusual twist, the very same pitch – which drew attention for being so flat – looks set to be used again for the next Test which starts on Tuesday.
The upcoming match was supposed to be staged at the National Stadium in Karachi but was moved to Multan due to renovation work.
On Sunday, the pitch was cordoned off with giant fans placed at either end of the wicket to dry it out following heavy watering.
The footmarks and creases have also been repaired as the Pakistan board’s Australian groundsman Tony Hemming seemingly prepares the wicket for the quick turnaround.
ICC rules do not include anything to prevent the rare scheduling but do state hosts are expected to “present the best possible pitch and outfield conditions for that match”.
But after five days of use up to Friday and three rest days, the spinners are likely to come into play very early on what would essentially be a sixth-day pitch on Day One.
England, though, will be hoping it means more of the same record-breaking free-scoring they enjoyed last time out.
On five occasions during Covid, England played back-to-back Tests at the same venue but never on the same pitch in consecutive matches.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Jimmy Anderson – in Pakistan as a coaching consultant – said he had never seen anything like the latest development in his 188-Test England career.
He told BBC Sport: “That is what it’s looking like.
“We don’t know what we’re going to get.
“It could be another pitch, or they have repaired this one really well and it’s flat again.”
As well as England’s mammoth total – which included 317 from Harry Brook and 262 from record-breaking Joe Root – Pakistan managed 556 in their first innings.
Cricviz ranked it as the 11th-flattest cricket pitch anywhere in the world since data collection started in 2007.
Strangely, the third Test from October 24 may also be played at Multan due to political unrest in Rawalpindi.
And England have been handed another major piece of good news.
Skipper Ben Stokes is set to make his return from injury.
Stokes, 33, has been out of action since early August with a hamstring injury.
But he bowled at full pace in the nets on Sunday and could replace Chris Woakes.
Pakistan, meanwhile, left ex-captain Babar Azam and pace bowlers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi out of the squads for the last two Tests.
