Cricket news 2024, Pakistan using patio heaters, giant fans pitch ploy vs England in Rawalpindi photos

Cricket fans thought they had seen it all in Pakistan last week when giant fans were used to dry out a Multan pitch that hosted two consecutive Test matches.

After England won a 1599-run match on what was a batter's paradise, the home side rolled out the same wicket but dried it out to make it conducive to spin.

After stacking their team with tweakers, Pakistan spun England into the dust to win the second match and force a series decider.

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The teams now head to Rawalpindi for the third and final fixture starting on Thursday.

And images leaked on social media in recent days once again have the sporting world talking.

Several eagle-eyed onlookers snapped photos of the Rawalpindi wicket which bizarrely had large black tarpaulins erected at either end.

The pitch at Rawalpindi getting some serious treatment. Twitter

Inside the tarpaulins and at either end of the pitch were three patio heaters, as well as more giant fans blowing the heat directly onto the pitch.

Pakistan is clearly baking the wicket and is certain to once again select a team of spin bowlers in an effort to bring England's batters down.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood last week admitted he was hoping for another spin-friendly wicket for the third Test after beating the tourists by 152 in Multan.

Spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali claimed all 20 England wickets in the second match, which not only ended Masood's six-match losing streak as captain but also earned Pakistan its first home win since beating South Africa in early 2021.

"I don't think there's an autumn in Pakistan. There's a summer that runs transition into a winter, so we're still hoping that the sun can play its part and the wicket (for the third Test) can be on the drier side," Masood said.

The series decider will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the same venue where Bangladesh recorded a historic 2-0 win in September.

"I don't know if I've seen it turned in Rawalpindi, that's another issue," Masood said.

"We'll have a look, the groundsmen are already there, they're working on a Test match pitch and we'll try to create a good test wicket where both teams can pick up 20 wickets."

England spinner Jack Leach spoke to media on Monday but would not be drawn on the pitch.

"I don't know what to expect. I haven't seen anything," Leach said.

"We'll go to training and have a look at it. I feel quite clear about what I'm doing and that doesn't really change depending on the wicket. We'll see what it is."

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