England batter Jamie Smith cautioned his teammates that the Rawalpindi pitch, which saw 13 wickets fall on day one of the final Test, is likely to deteriorate further. Smith, when asked about the pitch conditions, stated, “I can only see it getting worse from here,” noting that the home team’s spinners were especially suited to the wicket. He emphasized that the tight final Test could be decided by “small margins.”
Smith was the standout performer for England, scoring 89 out of their 276 runs despite a relentless spin attack from Pakistan. His innings included six sixes and five fours, but he admitted some of the shots were “more luck than judgment.” His efforts helped stabilize England from precarious positions of 98 for five and 118 for six, pushing them to a competitive first-innings score.
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The wicket-keeper batter highlighted the growing challenge as the pitch began to show lower bounce. “The low bounce is only going to make it harder,” Smith explained, noting that each run in the first innings would prove crucial as the surface continued to break down. He referenced Duckett’s dismissal as an example of how unpredictable the bounce had already become.
Smith advised his teammates to expect increasingly difficult batting conditions in the second innings. With the pitch expected to deteriorate significantly over the next few days, England may look back at his innings as pivotal in securing a favorable outcome.
As the final Test progresses, Smith’s warning about the challenging Rawalpindi pitch could be the key focus, especially as England strives to capitalize on his valuable contribution.
