Latif backs Pakistan to beat England

Expects batsmen to prevail in friendly UAE conditions.

KARACHI:

Former captain Rashid Latif backed Pakistan to beat the world’s best Test side England in the three-Test series starting next month.

After beating Sri Lanka 1-0 in Tests and 4-1 in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in the UAE last month, Pakistan added a clean sweep in all three forms of the game in Bangladesh and Latif said the team had displayed excellent unity.

“Pakistan’s combination is good,” said Latif. “They’re playing with the same players since last year’s spot-fixing scandal and the kind of unity they’ve shown makes them favourites to win against England.”

Pakistan take on world number one England in the first of three Tests in Dubai from January 17. They also play four ODIs and three Twenty20s.

“Pakistan do well in batting conditions and Dubai and Abu Dhabi have pitches which help batsmen. They also have a better bowling attack which can take 20 England wickets.”

But he warned Pakistan will have to be at their best to beat England, who have shown remarkable strength in Tests.

“James Anderson is the best new-ball bowler and difficult for left-handers so Pakistan will have to be at their best against him. There is slow spin on the UAE pitches so Pakistani batsmen will handle Graeme Swann.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2011.