PAK vs ENG: 1st Test will be played as per schedule in Rawalpindi

PAK vs ENG: 1st Test will be played as per schedule in Rawalpindi

PAK vs ENG: 1st Test will be played as per schedule in Rawalpindi

England Test skipper Ben Stokes – ECB

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  • England and Pakistan passed a pre-match medical examination.
  • First Test is to go ahead as planned in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
  • England XI is likely to be altered after illness strikes England camp.
  • The toss is scheduled for 9.30 am local time, the first Test is to start at 7:30 am local time.
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PAK vs ENG: The first Test between Pakistan and England in Rawalpindi will begin as planned today after the visitors passed a pre-match medical examination. However, the starting lineup that England announced 48 hours prior to the match is likely to be altered.

On the night of the match, the possibility of the Test being postponed surfaced after an illness spread through the England camp, casting questions on whether they would have enough healthy players to take the field.

After emergency negotiations on Wednesday evening between PCB chairman Ramiz Raja and ECB officials Rob Key and Neil Snowball, ECB medical director Nick Peirce, and team doctor Anita Biswas, it was decided to wait until 7:30 am on Thursday to decide if the Test would go ahead as planned or be delayed 24 hours. With symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting, the illness originally knocked out 14 members of the traveling group, including half of the 16-man playing squad.

The results of Drs. Peirce and Biswas’ evaluation of the touring group, the majority of whom were confined to their hotel rooms on Wednesday, indicated that England would be able to field an eleven.

According to a joint statement from the ECB and PCB, “The ECB has informed the PCB that they are in a position to field an XI, and, as such, the first Test will commence as per schedule today (Thursday, 1 December) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.”

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However, the team composition is open to change. Ben Stokes, who announced his team on Tuesday, James Anderson, and Jack Leach were among those most severely afflicted, with others who were scheduled to play also struggling to shake the illness. Only Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root participated in Wednesday’s optional training session. All but Jennings were included in the first lineup, with Liam Livingstone making his debut and Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, and Ollie Robinson being recalled after a six-year absence.

As scheduled, England will depart the Serena Hotel at 8 a.m. and will name their XI during the toss, scheduled for 9.30 am local time.

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