Pakistan will host England in the first Test of a three-match Test series from Monday (October 7) at the Multan Cricket Stadium as both teams aim for a miracle as they hope to reach the final of the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final.
While England are coming into the series after a successful home series in which they whitewashed the West Indies 3-0 and won a Test series over Sri Lanka 2-1, the drawn home series against Australia and a heavy defeat to India have ensured their chances are not in their hands anymore.
On the other hand, Pakistan are second last on the table despite starting the cycle by beating Sri Lanka 2-0 away from home. Since then, the Shan Masood-led side have lost five matches in a row after losing a three-match series to Australia 3-0 before an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh.
Related News | 
Shaheen Afridi IN, 3 Players OUT, Injured Pacer Returns As Pakistan Name Playing XI For 1st Test vs England
Setback For England As Star Player Ruled Out Of 1st Test Against Pakistan, 2 Match-Winners Return
Pakistan are aiming to end an embarrassing streak, as they have not won a Test for nearly four years. The Asian giants' last win in a Test match on Pakistani soil came in February 2021 against South Africa. The hosts have not won each of their last 10 Tests at home.
The last time England visited Pakistan (December 2022), they became the first time in history to whitewash them on home soil in a Test series with a 3-0 win in a three-match series.
Both England and Pakistan have announced their playing XIs with the visitors without regular skipper Ben Stokes as he continued his recovery from an injury. Ollie Pope will lead England, with Brydon Carse set to make his debut while Chris Woakes featured in a Test match in Asia for the first time since 2016.
Related News | 
Pakistan vs England 2024, 1st Test Live Streaming And Telecast: How To Watch Broadcast In India, PAK, And UK?
On the other hand, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah are back in Pakistan XI's after being left out for the second Test against Bangladesh.
My Dream11 Team For England vs Pakistan 1st Test
Wicket-Keeper: – M Rizwan (Vice-Captain)
Batters: B Azam, B Duckett, H Brook, S Shakeel
All-Rounders: J Root (Captain), A Salman, C Woakes
Bowlers: S Afridi, G Atkinson, N Shah, J Leach
Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir