England vs Pakistan 2nd Test Preview & Prediction

If PAK Bat First

Predicted Score: Around 300

Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood could once again be their opening combination. Hafeez is more experienced of the two and Pakistan will expect a big innings from him. The middle order seems stable enough in Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq. Misbah made a century in the first innings while Shafiq scored 73 and 49. If Pakistan are to get 300 or more, Hafeez, Younis and Misbah will have to perform well.

England's ace bowler James Anderson is set to return for the second test and he along with Stuart Broad will be starting off with the new ball. Though Broad took 3 wickets in each innings, it is Anderson who should be backed to do most of the damage. Woakes was outstanding as he bagged 11 wickets in the first test and Adil Rashid can also extract good turn off the pitch. If Pakistan don't come up with a way to tackle the early swing from Anderson, Broad and Woakes, they could find themselves well short of the 300-run mark.

Eng vs Pak Head-to-Head Record

Pakistan have won more matches than England in the last 10 tests played between the two teams. While Pakistan have seven wins, England have just two. However, only two of these seven wins were achieved in England and the rest all came in the UAE. The two teams have gone head-to-head five times at the Old Trafford with both having one win each and three of these games resulting in a draw. England and Pakistan last faced each other here back in 2006 when the hosts demolished the visitors by an Innings and 120 runs.

Our Prediction

Against all expectations, Pakistan outplayed England in the first test and will head into the second test with a lot more self-belief. But the return of James Anderson is what could make the difference for the hosts. England, moreover, have a terrific record at Manchester in recent times with seven wins, two draws and one defeat in the last 10 tests. With the weather expected to remain clear and the wicket to become more bowler-friendly on the fourth and fifth day, a draw seems to be the least likely outcome.

Although Pakistan got the better of England in the first test, the return of Anderson, Rashid and Stokes make the hosts favorites to win the second test and level the series 1-1.