Under-pressure Pakistan are set to re-use the controversial Multan pitch used for the first Test against England for the second match starting Tuesday, in a rare move as they seek to level the series. England scored the fourth highest Test score of 823-7 to inflict an innings and 47-run defeat on the home side on a pitch severely criticised for its batting-friendly nature. Pakistan scored 556 in their first innings. Sources in the Pakistan camp confirmed the same first Test pitch will be used on Tuesday. “We have decided to use the same pitch of the first Test and it is watered and being dried for the use,” said a source who did not wish to be named.

Industrial-sized fans were used at both ends to dry the pitch while both teams practised at the ground on Sunday.

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie inspected the pitch and had a lengthy discussion, while England head coach Brendon McCullum also had a long look.

The ICC playing conditions allow re-use of a pitch for successive Tests, but it could result in getting a poor rating if the surface does not play well.

Pakistan has a history of flat pitches, with former Australian great Dennis Lillee denouncing a pitch as “bowlers’ graveyard” back in 1980.

Two years ago, the Rawalpindi stadium pitch was deemed “below average” by the International Cricket Council, after 1,187 runs were scored in a Pakistan-Australia Test for the loss of only 14 wickets.

But the ICC rescinded the one demerit point after the Pakistan Cricket Board appealed against the decision.

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Former Australia skipper Mark Taylor feels that all-rounder Cameron Green’s injury could open up the door for Cameron Bancroft’s Test recall in the marquee Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India next month. Green is likely to miss the upcoming five-match Test series against India at home due to a surgery for a stress fracture on his lower back, according to reports. The 25-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder has previously suffered four stress fractures in his back but has not encountered any issues in that area since 2019.

Green’s absence would mean Australia will have to rejig their batting order.

“It’s an awkward one isn’t it? Cam Green was out of the Australian side during the Ashes series of last year and Mitch Marsh came in but Australia were very keen to get him back in,” Taylor said on ‘Wide World of Sports’.

Bancroft was tipped to fill the opening spot post David Warner’s retirement earlier this year but the selectors recalled Green to the Test side with Steve Smith being pushed to open the innings.

However, the veteran batter didn’t fare too well at the top and Taylor believes Smith will again drop down to the number four spot.

“I think Smith will move back to No.4. So the question is who will open? I’d love to see a right-handed opening batsman get the opportunity. And to me at the moment … I would have Bancroft penciled in alongside (Usman) Khawaja,” Taylor said.

Bancroft, who served a nine-month ban for his role in the 2018 ball-tampering incident, has been the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield for the last two years.

Taylor feels the selectors could also include young opener Sam Konstas, who hit back-to-back hundreds against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, in the Test squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

The five-match series starts on November 22 in Perth.

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