Summary:

Pakistan will play a Test match without a frontline spinner for only the second time since 1995.
This decision recalls a previous instance in December 2019 when Pakistan used an all-pace attack.
The strategy change reflects evolving team dynamics and pitch conditions over the years.

In a notable shift from tradition, Pakistan will enter their upcoming Test match without a frontline spinner for only the second time since September 1995. This decision, marked by Abrar Ahmed’s absence, highlights a significant change in Pakistan’s cricket strategy. The only other instance of such a strategy occurred in December 2019 at Rawalpindi, during a Test that marked Pakistan’s return to home venues after a decade.

The decision to play without a specialist spinner was part of a broader strategy under then-captain Azhar Ali, who opted to rely on pace due to Yasir Shah’s declining form. This tactic was seen as a temporary measure, and soon after, Yasir Shah returned to form, and subsequent pitches were prepared to favor spin bowlers once more.

The shift in strategy reflects the evolving nature of Pakistan’s cricket team and the changing conditions on their home pitches, demonstrating their adaptability and ongoing search for the most effective approach in international cricket.