Talking points after England’s record-breaking first Test win in Pakistan

Here, PA looks at the major debating points leading into Tuesday’s second Test.

Will Ben Stokes return?

It was seen as a considerable blow when the tourists’ talismanic captain was ruled out of the series opener, but they still had what it takes to complete a memorable win in difficult circumstances. Now they wait to find out if his recovery from a torn hamstring is complete.

Adding a fully-fit Stokes to a winning team would be a considerable flex, bolstering the batting, adding to the bowling depths and bringing an unquantifiable aura. Whether he is ready to take on a full all-rounder’s role in energy-sapping conditions is not yet certain, though. If he was only fit to bat, who makes way?

Is Ollie Pope under threat?

It seems counterintuitive that the man picked to lead the side in Stokes’ absence would be the first one to drop out if he returned, but there are no obvious gaps in the top six.

Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett do a very specialist job well, Joe Root and Harry Brook are untouchable and Jamie Smith keeps wicket. Pope’s two-ball duck in the fourth highest total of all time hardly made him bulletproof, but England are unlikely to waver.

He has been a cornerstone of the ‘Bazball’ era and there are no indications he has lost their confidence. More likely, Stokes only returns when he is fully fit.

Pitch problems for Pakistan

There had been suggestions from home captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie that the traditional flat pitches in the country might be spiced up for this series. It proved to be a red herring as the curator in Multan turned out a batting paradise that barely changed over five days.

Having watched England turn those conditions to their favour they now face a dilemma. More of the same makes it hard to overturn a 1-0 scoreline, but changing tack fast at the same venue could be unpredictable. A green, seam-friendly surface would be more than welcome by the visitors.

Spin bowling sub-plot

England installed 20-year-old Shoaib Bashir as their first-choice spinner at the start of the summer, leapfrogging Somerset team-mate Jack Leach. It was a gamble on the future given Bashir had never been picked ahead of the left-armer at county level.

In their first Test together, Leach was comfortably the better performer, taking seven for 190 compared to the younger man’s one for 156. On the last morning, with three wickets needed to settle the match, it was Leach who stepped up. There is plenty of bowling still to do over the next two Tests but by the end of the trip, the pecking order may be back under review.

No more hiding places for experienced heads

For a long time Pakistan relied on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to keep their heads above water across formats. Now, though, the pair are at risk of dragging their team down.

Babar’s reputation is sky high and his technique impeccable, but his returns are dwindling and he has not scored a Test century since December 2022. Rizwan’s style is more resolute but his ability to find a way of wearing opponents down has also deserted him and he proved easy pickings for the English bowlers.

If Pakistan are to mount a comeback, these two need to up their game.