ENG vs PAK 2nd Test predicted playing XI: Likely Pakistan and England lineups as Babar Azan remains doubtful

ENG vs PAK 2nd Test predicted playing XI: Likely Pakistan and England lineups as Babar Azan remains doubtful originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

England lead the three-Test series 1-0 after a big win at Headingley.

The 2nd Test at Lord's starts on August 27, with Pakistan needing a win to level the series.

England have added Sonny Baker after Brydon Carse was omitted.

Babar Azam could return after missing the opener with a finger injury.

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England eye series win as Pakistan face must-win second Test at Lord's

England and Pakistan play the second Test at Lord's with the hosts having a clear edge following their dominant win in the first Test of the series.

England had bowled Pakistan out for 171 before scoring 409, followed by dismissing Pakistan for 135 and winning the game by an innings and 103 runs. English bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue each took eight wickets in the match.

The second Test will be played from August 27, with England having to win or at least draw the game to retain the series lead, while another win would hand them the series. Pakistan, on the other hand, have to win at Lord's to force a decider in the third Test at Edgbaston.

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England expected to retain winning combination

The English team has a lot less reason for change as far as their brilliant show in the opening Test match is concerned.

The hosts initially kept 16 players in their squad for the second Test at Lord's, including Brydon Carse, but he was later dropped due to an ongoing investigation by the ECB regarding an incident that took place in Derby. Sonny Baker is all set to replace him.

Brydon Carse did not play in the first Test match as well, so there is no effect on England's winning combination from this drop-out.

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England are also expected to keep their attacking side, which thrashed Pakistan at Headingley, intact, especially Robinson and Tongue, who shone in the first Test.

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England predicted playing XI for 2nd Test at Lord's

Ben Duckett

Emilio Gay

Jordan Cox

Joe Root (c)

Harry Brook

Dan Lawrence

Jamie Smith (wk)

Gus Atkinson

Ollie Robinson

Jofra Archer

Josh Tongue

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Babar Azam remains the key selection call for Pakistan

Babar missed the first Test due to a finger injury on his right hand during the warm-up game of Pakistan at Beckenham. Pakistan expected the captain to recover for the Lord's Test match, but it all depends on the fitness test.

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Should Babar be declared fit for the second Test match, Azan Awais seems the most probable candidate to make way. However, if Babar is ruled out, Azan Awais is likely to retain his place and Salman Ali Agha will continue as stand-in captain.

In view of the big loss against England in Leeds, the Pakistan management could also think of various options that include resting the wicket-keeper batter, Mohammad Rizwan.

In case there is support from the wicket at Lord's, Pakistan can also use two specialist spinners. Thus, Ali Usman, Sajid Khan and Ubaid Shah are some of the contenders.

Pakistan predicted playing XI for 2nd Test at Lord's

Abdullah Shafique

Imam-ul-Haq

Shan Masood

Babar Azam (c)

Saud Shakeel

Salman Ali Agha

Mohammad Rizwan/Ghazi Ghori (wk)

Sajid Khan

Ali Usman

Mohammad Abbas

Ubaid Shah

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Why England are favourites at Lord's as Pakistan look to bounce back

England go into the Lord's game feeling confident about themselves after a good performance at Headingley, where Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue spearheaded the bowling attack for the side.

Pakistan must drastically improve their top order, and the possible inclusion of Babar Azam provides a lot of experience and reliability for the team. But even with him in the side, the problem will remain unsolved.

There is no point for England in making any big changes to their squad, but Pakistan have a number of problems that need solving in order to make it even.

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