Pakistan vs England, 1st Test Match Summary

England’s much-anticipated return to Pakistan is here, with the two teams set to clash in a thrilling three-match Test series. After that historic whitewash by England a couple of years ago, fans are eager to see how both sides fare in this high-stakes encounter. While the journey wasn’t without obstacles, with talks of shifting the series to the UAE due to security concerns, the hard work of both managements has ensured that the action will unfold on Pakistan’s home soil. The Multan Cricket Stadium will be the battleground for the first Test, and there's plenty at stake. Let’s begin with the World Test Championship (WTC) scenarios. For England, the equation is simple yet daunting - they need to win all six of their remaining Test matches to stand a chance of making the WTC 2025 final, and even then, they’ll need other results to go their way. Pakistan is in a similarly tricky situation. They also have to win all their games, but their path to the final is even more uncertain. Despite the odds, there's still everything to play for, and both teams will be hungry for victory. Pakistan comes into this series with a lot to prove. After their shocking 2-0 series defeat to Bangladesh, there were murmurs about captain Shan Masood’s leadership. However, the management has shown faith in him, and he remains at the helm. Pakistan’s batting lineup will rely heavily on Mohammad Rizwan, who has been their most consistent performer. His form has kept experienced wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed on the sidelines, and he will once again be key to Pakistan’s fortunes. Opener Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel have shown glimpses of their potential but need to convert their starts into big scores, especially against a lethal English bowling attack. Skipper Shan Masood himself will need to raise his game as well. Babar Azam, their most accomplished batter, will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing series against Bangladesh. His form has dipped at a crucial time, and the pressure will be on him to deliver on home soil. The bowling attack, led by the fiery pace duo of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, hasn’t been at its best lately. Afridi, in particular, has a point to prove after being dropped for the second Test against Bangladesh. Spinner Abrar Ahmed will also play a vital role, but with the Multan pitch typically offering little assistance to spinners until later in the game, his task won’t be easy. For England, it’s been a remarkable Test summer, highlighted by a series win against Sri Lanka. However, their final match saw them suffer a rare defeat, and they’ll be eager to bounce back. The big news from their camp is that Ben Stokes is still not fully fit, meaning Ollie Pope will continue to lead the side. In positive news, Zak Crawley is back in the squad, reuniting with Ben Duckett at the top of the order. Their aggressive approach to batting will be crucial in setting the tone early on. The English middle order is stacked with firepower. Joe Root, arguably the current best Test batter in the world, has been in sublime form, racking up 666 runs in six Tests during the summer. He also broke Sir Alastair Cook’s record for most Test hundreds by an English player, with 34 to his name. Pope and Harry Brook will look to build on their promising displays, while young wicketkeeper Jamie Smith has made a name for himself since his debut. On the bowling front, Chris Woakes continues to be a reliable workhorse in any condition. While England will miss the raw pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson has been a revelation, stepping up admirably in their absence. England’s spin department looks strong with Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach in the mix with the latter returning to the side after a while, and they’ll be handing a debut to Brydon Carse, a talented pacer who has already impressed in white-ball cricket. This series promises to be an exciting clash between two teams desperate to make their mark in the WTC. England will be eager to keep their hopes alive with an early lead, while Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from recent disappointments and restore pride on home soil. Both teams have a point to prove, and the stage is set for an enthralling contest. Let’s see who comes out on top!