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. Pakistan will hope to take advantage of Ben Stokes’ absence, who has been in sublime form.
The visitors will rue themselves for throwing the game away after dominating the most part of the Test. 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.
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. Zak Crawley will slot in the playing XI. Meanwhile, last match man of the match, Chris 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.
England vs Pakistan 2020: 2nd Test, at Ageas Bowl, Southampton starting from August 13 (Thursday) at 3:30 PM IST
Pitch and Weather Report
Just like the other matches so far, thunderstorms are in the forecast throughout the Test match. Moreover, heavy rains might spoil day two and three which will damp Pakistan’s chances of levelling the Test series.
The Southampton surface has been slow so far this season and not particularly easy for batting. During the Test against West Indies, the pitch went bad to worse with the course of the game. Given the recent hot weather, and the likelihood that the pitch for this game will start drier which can bring in the spinners into play.
England vs Pakistan: 2nd Test – Match Prediction
This is the first time England will lock horns with Pakistan in Southampton. The hosts have a mixed record in this ground with two wins, one draw and one loss. They lost their last match, the first one of the West Indies series, at the venue.
However, going by the confidence after their first Test win, they will start ahead of Pakistan in the Southampton Test. Although the visitors will try to bite back, but the Joe Root-led side will have the advantage to seal the series.
