Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan may have managed to draw their last two-Test series in England but former pacer Aqib Javed believes the Asian side will struggle when they face the hosts in the upcoming series in the Old Blighty. Pakistan are set to take on England in 3 Tests and as many T20Is in August-September. A batch of players, led by Test captain Azhar Ali and ODI captain Babar Azam have already arrived in the UK and are in a 2-week quaratine in Worcestershire. Aqib believes there is gulf in class between the two teams and Pakistan’s inexperienced will not work in their favour in the 3-Test series which will be held after the much-anticipated series between West Indies and England. “Pakistan did well in the last two Test series in England and we were able to draw the Test series, but during the last one or two years England have really raised their game and the way they are playing cricket in all three formats is just remarkable,” Aqib was quoted as saying Wednesday.

“Pakistan will struggle in the Test series as they have a quality line-up, They have world-class fast bowlers in the shape of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer as well as a match-winning all-rounder like Ben Stokes and also they have a fine Test batting line up.” Aqib believes Pakistan’s old fashioned approach to Test cricket will hamper their chances against England who tend to score at a “rapid pace” even in the Test match format. “Their batsmen not only score big but also at a rapid pace and that is where Pakistan will lack as we are still playing the game in an old fashioned way,” he said. “If Pakistan manage to play 125 overs we still may not score enough runs as compared to England who can smash a huge score in as many overs and can out play the opposition after that.”

Pakistan have reached England with a relatively inexperienced pace attack, which includes Mohammad Abbas who shone in their trip to England in 2018. However, Javed believes Abbas’ drop in pace is not going to help Pakistan. The ICC’s ban on saliva will also affect Pakistan’s pacers as they rely on reverse swing, according to the former fast bowler. “If we look at the Pakistan pace attack, it lacks experience and a bit of quality,” Aqib said. “Abbas is an experienced bowler but he has lost pace and it will affect his performance. “Also, after the ban of saliva, most Pakistan fast bowlers will struggle as they mostly rely on reverse swing and take wickets with the old ball. Shaheen Shah Afridi is a rising fast bowler and he can do well but the highly-rated Naseem Shah lacks experience and this series will be a big test for the young pacer.” Meanwhile, the England and Pakistan cricket squads passed their latest coronavirus tests, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Wednesday. All 20 players and 11 staff in the Pakistan squad have tested negative for Covid-19 since arriving on Sunday, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Tuesday.

Aqib further said that Pakistan Cricket Board must try and stage remaining matches of PSL 5 and the winner should be decide through competition. “PSL 5 should be completed. PCB must try and host remaining matches whether in Pakistan or in the UAE but the winner should be decided through competition on ground. I hope PCB will be able to find a small window this year around November to complete PSL 5,” Aqib said.