The lifeless Rawalpindi track is drawing flak from the fans and former cricketers alike.
Batting first, England racked up a mammoth 657/10 at a rapid pace of 6.5 an over with their four batters – Harry Brook (153), Zak Crawley (122), Ben Duckett (107) and Ollie Pope (108) – smashing centuries.
In reply, Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique (114) and Imam-ul-Haq (121) also slammed centuries, sharing a partnership of 225 runs to give their team the best chance of avoiding a defeat.
No wonder, the Rawalpindi track is drawing flak from all quarters. On Friday (December 2), PCB chairman Ramiz Raja broke his silence on the criticism, admitting that it was “not a great advert" for Test cricket.
However, Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah decided to keep his mouth shut when asked about the pitch at a press conference.
In fact, Naseem's response to the journalist left everyone in splits after the latter mentioned Dennis Lillee's famous remark about the Faisalabad pitch four decades ago.
Here's how the conversation unfolded:
Journalist: Naseem Shah sahab aisi hi ek wicket Faisalabad mein thi toh Australia ke gendbaaz Dennis Lillee ne bowling karte waqt kaha tha ki jab main mar jaun toh mujhe is wicket pe dafan kiya jaye toh kya aap samajhte hain ki yeh ek aisi wicket hai? (Naseem Shah, on a similar flat wicket in Faisalabad, Australian bowler Dennis Lillee while bowling had famously said that when he dies his grave should be made on that surface, do you think this pitch is of that kind?)
Naseem: (Interrupting the journalist)Sir aap mujhe bhi maarne ke chakkar mein hai (Sir, why do you want me to die as well)
Journalist: Allah na kare (God forbid)