**Pointers to Pindi: Five Key Aspects to Watch in the Pakistan vs. England Decider** As Pakistan revels in the glory of their recent Test victory, an exciting showdown awaits both teams in Rawalpindi. The second Test was a remarkable encounter, leaving both sides with lessons learned yet questions unanswered. For Pakistan, their winning strategy relied heavily on an all-spin attack thriving on a pitch that had seen nine days of wear. However, this approach is unlikely to be effective in Rawalpindi, prompting selectors to consider more aggressive changes to the lineup. Key players like Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are too skilled to remain sidelined for long, with Naseem in particular likely to play a crucial role in the upcoming match. Another pressing issue for the team is their struggling opening partnership. Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub have been inconsistent, alternating between impressive scores and disappointing performances, leaving the selectors in a dilemma over who to drop. While the victory in Multan provided a much-needed boost for a cricketing nation facing challenges, it remains unclear what direction the team will take moving forward. As the decider approaches, all eyes will be on how Pakistan navigates these challenges against England.

England is set to travel to Rawalpindi, where Pakistan aims to leverage spin to secure victory in the deciding Test match. The hosts are working to prepare a turning pitch, hoping to replicate the success they found in Multan, where their selection and pitch strategy paid off. Brendon McCullum, England's coach, remarked that the team was in a dire situation while chasing 297 runs on a spinning wicket during the second Test, humorously suggesting that only a superhero could have salvaged the match for them. He acknowledged Pakistan's bold decision to utilize a worn pitch, calling it a "good punt." McCullum expressed his support for home teams to create conditions that favor their play, commending Pakistan's execution. As the series shifts to Rawalpindi for the final Test on Thursday, the conditions are expected to be less conducive to spin. Historically, seam bowlers have dominated the pitch, accounting for 56% of deliveries and 64% of wickets in the last seven Tests played there over the past five years. Pakistan's captain, Shan Masood, noted that he has yet to witness a pitch that turns significantly in Rawalpindi. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board's chief curator, Australian Tony Hemming, has been on-site since the beginning of the week, working diligently to create a spin-friendly surface.