After a well-contested first Test in Old Trafford, England will hope to continue their winning run in the second encounter starting August 13 at Rose Bowl in Southampton. The hosts are likely to come more aggressively in the penultimate Test to seal the series and close the gap with India in the ICC World Test Championship.
The Joe Root-led side resisted well in the fourth day to snatch the game from Pakistan. Jos Buttler, who was struggling to keep his place in the side, played a fighting knock to retain his spot. All-rounder Chris Woakes also augured well with an unbeaten knock to prove his worth in the side.
Meanwhile, England will miss their in-form all-rounder Ben Stokes in the rest of the series which will be a blow to the home side. Woakes will have to continue his good form in the absence of Stokes as they look to keep the winning run going. Otherwise, the unit is likely to remain the same with Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, and James Anderson forming the pace attack.
On the other hand, Pakistan will rue themselves for throwing the game away. The bowlers failed to stand up in the last day as England walked away with the game. The visitors will ponder to bring in the experience of Wahab Riaz in place of Naseem Shah. The youngster had a poor game and Misbah-ul-Haq is likely to give him a break.
Pitch Report
The Southampton wicket has provided equal competition between bat and ball. The second Test is likely to provide the same turf with the spinners coming into action late in the game. It will also be a good wicket to score runs if the batters get set.
England vs Pakistan, 2nd Test – Fantasy Tips
It is important to pick players who are in good form and can play a decisive part in the match. Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes will be high on the list after their superlative efforts in the Old Trafford Test. Ollie Pope has also got decent starts so far, and he will be on the radar while picking fantasy XI.
On the other hand, speaking about Pakistan, opener Shan Masood will be a top pick following his outstanding century in the first Test. Babar Azam and Yasir Shah will also dominate the chart.
Predicted Playing XI
England: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Dom Bess
Pakistan: Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Mohd Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohd Abbas, Wahab Riaz/Naseem Shah
Match Prediction
England are likely to continue their winning momentum and seal the series with one match still to go. The home side will be high in confidence after their brilliant win in Old Trafford. However, they will be wary of past result and that Pakistan have never lost a series in England since 2011.
Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
Wicketkeeper: Jos Butler
Batsman: Joe Root, Rory Burns, Shan Masood, Babar Azam
All Rounder: Chris Woakes, Shadab Khan
Bowler: Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Mohd Abbas, Yasir Shah
Best Captain Picks: Joe Root, Babar Azam
Best Vice-Captain Picks: Chris Woakes, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah