Pakistan are reportedly set to re-use the same Multan wicket on which England scored 823-7 in the first Test for the second Test of the series as well. Here's why.
In the first Test in Multan, Pakistan batted first and posted 556 in the first innings, before England went on to score 823-7, Test cricket's fourth-highest score of all time. The hosts then collapsed to 220 all out in their second innings to become the first team ever to score 500 in the first innings and lose by an innings.
Pakistan set to re-use Multan pitch for second Test
The match was dominated by discussions around the pitch, which many felt was unsuitable for Test cricket as it was flat and offered virtually nothing for the bowlers. Michael Atherton, on Sky Sports commentary, described it as "shocking". Two days out from the second Test at the same venue, the pitch is set to be re-used.
There are no rules against this, but it is an unconventional move. Even when Test matches are scheduled back-to-back at the same venue, the usual practice is to use a different pitch as the one used earlier would have deteriorated over the five days of play.
