Are Pakistan ready to face England at Lord’s?

Test series promises to be a tantalising battle if Pakistani batsmen give their bowlers cushion of ‘runs on board’

Out of the 11 that will take to the field for Pakistan on Thursday for the first Test against England at Lord’s, 10 already have their positions more or less confirmed.

The two first-class fixtures against Somerset and Sussex have given Pakistan adequate match practice in English conditions and, barring setbacks, the team for the opening Test has a settled look.

The toss-up for the final slot sees pacers Imran Khan, Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali fight it out for the third-pacer spot.

Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah are almost automatic selections, with their form and fitness being closely monitored by the team management at Taunton and Hove.

PHOTO: AFP

Imran has been a model of consistency since making his debut two years ago and is likely to be rewarded with the nod ahead of Sohail and Rahat.

In seven games, he has collected a reasonable 20 wickets, considering that five of the seven matches have been on dead UAE pitches.

Rahat though can consider himself unlucky if he is rested for Lord’s — with the management likely to select Imran in order to avoid three left-armers in the same side.

Sohail too impressed at Taunton but leaked runs when the Sussex openers stamped their authority on the flat Hove wicket.

PHOTO: AFP

The batting was refreshingly at ease in both three-dayers, exceeding expectations at this early stage. Of course they are yet to come up against the best that England have to offer but there were still several positives from the two games.

Azhar Ali, an incredibly important cog at number three, goes into Lord’s high on confidence after scoring centuries in both warm-up games.

Younus Khan and Asad Shafiq also had heartening stints in the middle, and their form must reassure skipper Misbahul Haq, who bats between the duo.

PHOTO: AFP

Misbah posted a confidence-boosting fifty at Hove but his opposite number Alastair Cook played down the veteran’s threat, quipping that the 42-year-old scored 95% of his runs during their 2015 UAE series against spin, which won’t be readily on offer.

Misbah is also likely to be tested by the short ball. Even in the UAE, Broad peppered him with short deliveries and Misbah would need to be at his absolute best to keep the fast-bowlers at bay.

PHOTO: AFP

The biggest cause of concern though is the form of opener Mohammad Hafeez, who struggled in both three-dayers. The moving delivery has historically been his Achilles heel and three out of Hafeez’s four dismissals in the two games were on balls that deviated off the pitch.

Pakistan need Hafeez to lead the batting attack with a positive outlook, especially as they hope to capitalise on James Anderson’s injury-enforced absence.

PHOTO: AFP

Wicketkeeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed may also be needed to bail the team out at number seven. Sarfraz’s technique and free-scoring approach should be sternly tested but he must retain his flair and penchant for stealing quick runs in the lower-order.

Lord’s promises to be a tantalising battle, especially if Pakistan’s batsmen buckle up and give their bowlers the cushion of ‘runs on the board’.