England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope has acknowledged the potential impact Joe Root’s “golden arm” can have in breaking crucial partnerships with his off-spin, especially if the pitch in Multan proves favorable for spinners in the opening Test against Pakistan.
Root, already renowned as one of the “Fab Four” for his exceptional batting in Test cricket, has quietly developed a useful knack for breaking important stands with his part-time spin, having taken 69 wickets in 146 Tests at an economy rate of 3.28.
England’s bowling attack for this Test includes their frontline spinners Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir, but Pope remains confident that Root can step up if the pitch flattens out, or if Leach needs a break. Root has proven to be a valuable option in similar conditions, offering England depth and versatility in the spin department.
Pope spoke highly of Root’s ability to deliver key breakthroughs, saying, “We know Root can be a bit of a golden arm sometimes… Root is a great guy to have, especially if the surface flattens.”
The return of Jack Leach is another key boost for England. Leach, who last played during the India tour earlier this year, sustained an injury in the Hyderabad Test but is fit again and ready to contribute. His performance on the last England tour of Pakistan, where he took 15 wickets in three Tests, will be crucial in this series, especially when combined with the talented Shoaib Bashir. The pair’s partnership has previously left Pakistan batters struggling to cope with the spin threat.
Pakistan’s Playing XI:
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
England’s Playing XI:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
This Test series offers England a unique opportunity to continue their recent subcontinent success, with Root’s all-round abilities and Leach’s spin returning to the spotlight. Meanwhile, Pakistan will look to capitalize on their strong lineup, led by captain Shan Masood and star batter Babar Azam.
