PAK vs ENG 3rd Test: Giant Fans & Heaters Return as Pakistan Aim to Prepare Spin-Friendly Pitch in Rawalpindi

Giant fans and heaters returned as Pakistan look to prepare a spin-friendly pitch for the third Test against England, scheduled to start on Thursday (October 24) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan deployed the same plan in Multan after losing by an innings to England in the series opener earlier this month at the Multan Cricket Ground, where they bounced back a week later with a 152-run voctory thanks to the spin attack to level the series 1-1.

Rawalpindi pitch being dried using fans and heaters ahead of Pakistan vs England 3rd Test (Image Courtesy: Twitter)

The hosts played a four-spin bowling attack in the second Test in Multan. And that plan to use the same pitch that was further dried using fans, paid off as England, who posted 823/7 in the first Test, posted totals of just 291 and 144 in the second Test.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan rode on debutant Kamran Ghulam's debut century and Saim Ayub's 77 to post 366 before off-spinner Sajid Khan did the damage with the ball, claiming seven wickets as England were bowled out for 291.

While Pakistan only managed to add 221 to their lead of 75, left-arm spinner Noman Ali claimed 8 wickets to bundle England for just 144 on the fourth day of the second Multan Test.

Now, in attempt to win the series and with England struggling on the slow wicket, Pakistan is reportedly doing everything possible to produce a track that could assist their spinners in Rawalpindi, a venue which has notoriously been known for flat pitches.

According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, Pakistan have been deploying industrial-sized fans, outdoor heaters and windbreakers in a bid to dry out the surface at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

While Pakistan will have an upperhand on spinning pitches, the wicket could also help England spinners. The team winning the toss could be the one that wins the Test like in Multan as dry surfaces crack up as the days progress.

Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach have contributed to the wickets column for England, who also have leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed in their ranks. So, the visitors also could have an advantage should they bat first on the potential spin-friendly pitch in Rawalpindi.