Pakistan want turning pitch again for decider - Masood

Pakistan captain Shan Masood says he would like another spinning pitch for the third Test against England in Rawalpindi after such a surface helped his side set up a series decider.

The hosts completed a 152-run victory early on day four of the second Test in Multan, having opted to reuse the same playing surface from England's victory in the first Test.

All 20 England wickets fell to spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, with the surface, on which the tourists scored 823-7 declared last week, deteriorating significantly.

"We’re hoping the sun can play its part and the wicket can be on the drier side," said Masood, whose side ended an 11-Test winless run at home.

"It remains to be seen. We’ll try to create a good Test pitch where both teams can pick up 20 wickets."

Pakistan picked an XI with seven spin options and only one pace bowler on the back of their heavy defeat in the first Test.

Helped by winning the toss and therefore having the best of the batting conditions on day one, Pakistan dismissed England for 291 and 144 as the pitch steadily took more turn and less bounce.

Asked if he would like another spinning pitch in Rawalpindi, where the surface is usually the best for batting in the world, Masood said: "I would, but I don't know if I've ever seen it turn in Rawalpindi.

"That's another issue."

'If we had won toss it could have been different'

Ben Stokes was England's top scorer in the second innings as they fell well short chasing 297

England lost their eight remaining wickets before lunch on Friday morning to be dismissed for 144 in pursuit of 297.

Captain Ben Stokes stopped short of criticising the surface but said Pakistan winning the toss was a "massive" factor.

"They used the home conditions in their favour," he said.

"If we had won the toss it could have been completely different and it would have looked like a silly decision.

"The toss was always going to be massive, me and Shan knew that."

Despite the defeat, Stokes said England's fourth-innings score was "pretty decent" on the surface.

England fell behind the game when they conceded a 75-run deficit after the first innings and then when Jamie Smith and Joe Root dropped Salman Ali Agha, who went on to make 63, in the space of three balls in the second innings when Pakistan's lead was below 200.

Stokes was visibly frustrated on the field after the second missed chance, for which he said he has apologised to the team.

"It's the first time in my captaincy that I've let my emotions about the game and how it was unfolding show with my body language," Stokes told Sky Sports.

"I own up to that and I'm very annoyed with myself for letting that out. It's something I don't want to do or be seen to be doing so I apologised to the group.

"I was a tired, grumpy old man but you won't see that again."

Victory for Pakistan was their first at home since 2021 and their first under Masood in his seventh match as captain.

"That’s not acceptable for Pakistan cricket," the batter said. "We pride ourselves on how well we play this game and how we see ourselves as a team.

"Hopefully we can start something here in home conditions."