Pakistan vs England – Pakistan ready to surprise England

Test Series Preview – An eagerly-awaited battle between spin wizards >

After a good 2011 in which both teams attained new heights, Pakistan and England are ready to lock horns in the deserts of UAE. At stake for England is the number one Test spot, while Pakistan would love to continue the upward momentum they achieved during last year. Amid the ghosts of the past loitering over these two teams, both camps will happily accept a clean series.

The last Test series between the two teams was a forgettable one. The dust of the spot-fixing saga has more or less settled after the trio involved got their due punishment in a UK court last year. As English squad has not changed significantly from that home series in 2010, Pakistan is wearing a totally new look.  

Both teams have moved on since that tour. Pakistan has come out of the on and off-field distractions – quite remarkably under the captaincy of Misbah-ul-Haq. England has risen to number spot in Test cricket rankings in style when they white-washed their forerunners India at home. Misbah, as he has said, would like to move upwards in the rankings – by playing solid cricket compromising happily flamboyance over method. England, on the other hand, cannot afford to take their eyes off. They know, from India’s experience, reaching the top spot is easier than maintaining it.


The squads


Pakistan has named a strong 16-member squad for the tour. Significantly, Wahab Riaz - rested for being under the scanner, and Umar Akmal - after being sidelined to ponder over his careless approach to Test batting, are selected for this important series. The hope is both will bring the aggression required to tackle a top class side.

Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Abdur Rehman, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Adnan Akmal (wk), Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Talha

England have chosen to add an extra spinner in Monty Panesar – back after two years, keeping in mind the nature of pitches in UAE. They suffered a pre-tour setback when Tim Bresnan was ruled out due to a shoulder injury. With a compact batting line-up and in-form bowling attack, England have a clear edge over Pakistan, although that is somewhat neutralized by the conditions they will face in UAE.

Squad: Andrew Strauss (C), Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (WK), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Graham Onions, Chris Tremlett, Steven Finn, Ravi Bopara, Monty Panesar, Steven Davies (WK)



One to one


Openers

In the opening department, England have a clear edge. Alastair Cook is number 3 in the Test batting rankings, while Andrew Strauss is a quality Test player. Cook has had a memorable last year and will be a prized scalp for Pakistan’s new ball attack. 

For Pakistan, Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar have forged a good partnership at the top. While Hafeez provides flare, Taufeeq is a grinder, and together they form an ideal combination for a Test side. Cook and Hafeez, for his all-round ability, managed to find a place in Sportpulse’s Test team of 2011.

Middle order

The reason England are such a world-beating outfit is the fact that they have a formidable and intimidating middle order, which carries the good work put up by their openers. Although Pakistan too have a solid middle order, it is not as threatening as England’s.

Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal form a good batting line up for any conditions. Younis is the only world class Test batsman in the side at the moment. He is the only Pakistan batsman featuring in the top 10 in Test ranking, at number 7. Only Azhar, Younis and Misbah have been consistent enough over the last year or so, but the conversion rate of Misbah and Azhar is worrisome. Against a good bowling unit like England’s, Pakistan’s fortunes would rest on these three players.

Ian Bell (world number 4), Jonathan Trott (world number 9) and Kevin Pietersen are an awesome combination in the middle order. All are in terrific form and will be difficult to dislodge on slow and low UAE wickets. All three, in particular Pietersen, are good players of spin and the visitors will rely on them to counter the threat posed by Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman.  

Pakistan, wisely, has brought back mercurial Umar Akmal in place of Shoaib Malik. Although Asad Shafiq has shown Test temperament, inclusion of Umar Akmal gives them an attacking option at number six. He will bring the X factor adding much needed pomposity to the side.

Eoin Morgan adds that X factor to the English side and will be preferred over Ravi Bopara at number six position. All in all the real battle will be between the middle orders of the two sides, a deciding factor in all likelihood.

All-rounder

With Bresnan ruled out, this job will be solely on the shoulders of Stuart Broad. Apart from being a good seamer, he is quite capable with the batting as well. The last time these two teams met in a series, he hit a stunning 167 in the infamous Test match at Lords. He is at number 4 in Test all-rounders list.

For Pakistan, Wahab Riaz aims to become a decent all rounder. Although he has not proved this at international level so far, his recent showings with the bat in Quaid-e-Azam trophy auger well for Pakistan. Abdur Rehman can also stick around.

Wicket Keeper

Mat Prior wins this battle hands down. Adnan Akmal will do well if he proves his worth behind the stumps for his team. Steven Davies is the reserved keeper for England.

Fast Bowlers

In James Anderson and Broad, England have two bowlers who are in top 10 Test bowlers list. Both included in the Sportpulse’s Test Eleven for 2011, they provide the backbone of English seam attack. Anderson is arguably the best swing bowler in the world while Broad is coming on the back of a stunning 2011.

Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz form a potentially threatening new ball pair for Pakistan. Although Gul had a decent last year, he is yet to prove that he can run through a Test batting line up. Wahab’s entry has been impressive, as he showed in his debut Test in England where he grabbed a 5-fer. With ever-improving Junaid Khan and skiddy Aizaz Cheema as back up, the hosts are a match up for their opponents.

Chris Tremlett, Steven Finn and Graham Onions have all proved their worth at Test level, while Mohammad Talha, though has potential, is yet to rove himself.

Spinners

World number 3 Graeme Swann will be the trump card for England on spin-friendly tracks. But whether he is overshadowed by his much fancied and unorthodox rival in Saeed Ajmal is the burning question ahead of the series. While Swann is a classical off spinner who relies on deceiving the batsmen with his flight and change of lengths, Ajmal has all kinds of trickeries in his bag.  

If Swann’s aggression and consistency are his weapons, Ajmal has doosra and a stunning last year baggage with him. Swann had an average 2011 but that was more due to the brilliant performance of the seam attack rather than his poor form. Ajmal was the leading wicket-taker in 2011 with 50 Test wickets in 8 matches at 23.86.

The war of words has mainly centered on Ajmal’s revelation, many months ago, that he would unleash a new delivery, teesra, against England. The English camp, Swann in particular, has laughed it off but they would take Ajmal lightly on their own peril.

Pakistan probably will go with two spinners. Abdur Rehman provides an ideal back up to Ajmal, with his consistent line and the holding job. Often this strategy reaps fruits for him as batsmen, pressured by Ajmal at the other end, hand him wickets. Hafeez too has proved to be a golden arm, especially against left handers, so Cook and Strauss need to be careful of this threat too.

Swann has suggested same tactic for England. Monty Panesar has raised his claims by taking wickets in the side match but most likely he will have to sit in the first Test.


Stratagem 


England is renowned to play orthodox cricket and they will stick to it. Pakistan too, interestingly, is playing the same kind of game of late. Misbah has time and again stated that he prefers solidity over splendor to achieve better results which his team dearly needs. Will this lead to a boring series on dead tracks? No, first because there are enough players on both sides who can provide entertainment and second because it will be a closely contested series.

England will rely on their batting to post big totals to put Pakistan’s brittle batting line-up under pressure. Pakistan, on the other hand, will look towards their varied bowling attack to upstage all English plans.


Watch out for

Umar Akmal is at the stage of his career that he has to prove that he belongs at the Test level. This may well be his make or break series. If he comes good, England bowlers will have some tough time.
Graeme Swann will be under pressure to out perform Saeed Ajmal. If he succeeds, England will have fewer headaches in disposing off Pakistan. Otherwise they should be ready for a surprise.


Head to head record

Overall England has a clear advantage over Pakistan with a 22-13 margin in 71 Tests. This is the first time they are facing each other at neutral venue.


Probable Line-ups


Pakistan: 1- Hafeez 2- Taufeeq 3- Azhar Ali 4- Younis Khan 5- Misbah 6- Umar Akmal 7- Adnan Akmal 8- Wahab Riaz 9- Abdur Rehman 10- Umar Gul 11- Saeed Ajmal

England: 1- Strauss 2- Cook 3- Jonathan Trott 4- Pietersen 5- Bell 6- Morgan 7- Mat Prior 8- Broad 9- Swann 10- Anderson 11- Tremlett


Prediction

1-0 in favour of Pakistan


Credit: Upcric.com (Image)