The pressure will increase on the English cricket team when their three-match series against Pakistan gets underway on October 7.
The series will run until the end of October, and there will be an expectancy on England to hit some form ahead of the Ashes in 2025.
Both of the first two tests will take place in Multan, before the action moves to Rawalpindi for what could be a crucial series-defining third test at the end of October.
The series will also have longer-impacting consequences for both nations as it forms part of the ICC World Test Championships, with the nine nations competing for a top-two spot.
At present, England sit fourth in the table, while only one nation is currently above Pakistan.
England Aiming To Repeat Historic Win
The visitors will be considered among the favourites with BetXchange for the upcoming test series. England were excellent on their previous tour of Pakistan, as they completed a historic 3-0 whitewash success.
Rehan Ahmed was one of the standout players in that series, and he has been named in the squad for the tour. Alongside him are off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach.
Unfortunately, England will once again be without talismanic captain Ben Stokes, with his hamstring injury likely to keep him out of the first test. However, the captain could return for the second test.
Pakistan Chasing Response
It has been a gruelling period on the field for Pakistan in recent years, as they come into this series after winning just three times in their last 17 test matches. A humbling defeat was also suffered earlier in the summer, as Bangladesh secured a first series win over Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Shan Masood is hopeful that his side can get back on track against England in this three-match series, and recalled that it was ‘unacceptable’ for Pakistan to not win a test home match for as long as they have.
He vowed that the national players will do everything that they can to restore belief in the team, beginning with the opening test against England next week.
Form Could Be Crucial
Pakistan will be reeling from their recent shock defeat at the hands of Bangladesh. Furthermore, they will face an increasingly difficult series against the Bazball-inspired England.
The visitors have been excellent in the red-ball form of the game after winning five of their last test matches this summer.
Confidence of the 3-0 whitewash from 2022 remains high, and many of the same stars that featured in that historic success will play their part this year.
Pakistan vs. England Prediction
England look very challenging to oppose in the context of the three-match test series. However, their success in 2022 shows how hard it is to achieve a whitewash success in Pakistan.
Therefore, we could see the hosts getting a glimmer of hope by winning at least one of the matches in this series. But, whether that will be enough to raise spirits remains to be seen.
