Beating Pakistan in UAE is a big challenge: Brendon McCullum
New Zealand captain says many good teams have gone to UAE and not come away with any spoils in Tests
PHOTO: AFP
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum believes UAE is one of the toughest spot to play cricket in and that too against a formidable Pakistan Test side.
New Zealand toured the UAE last year and drew the three-match series level 1-1 after Pakistan had whitewashed Australia 3-0 just a month earlier.
“It is one the toughest places to tour in world cricket,” McCullum told The Guardian.
“We hold that Test win in Sharjah as one of our biggest successes. To beat a strong Pakistan side in those conditions, in my mind, is one of the biggest challenges in the world right now. Some very good teams have gone there and not come away with the spoils.”
Read: Wahab makes comeback, Ajmal misses cut in all formats
McCullum believes Moeen Ali can be the England captain Alastair Cook’s opening partner in the series against Pakistan in the UAE.
The right-hand opening batsman said if he was made to choose an opening partner for left-hand batsman cook, he would push Moeen up the order when the team visits UAE for the three-match Test series against Pakistan.
“I would put Moeen Ali up there for the UAE and move him down for South Africa,” said McCullum.
“You can’t be too stubborn. It’s like a horse, you can’t take it around the world and expect it to run the same race. You need to be flexible with game-plans and selection. Without doubt I would open the batting with Moeen Ali.”
The 33-year-old also welcomed the selection of Alex Hales saying he was an ‘excellent’ choice as he was able to attack whenever the team required him to.
“I like what they have done there with Hales, it’s definitely worth a crack,” said McCullum.
Read: 'Unattractive' Fawad Alam selected in the format he belonged to, says Bazid Khan
On the exclusion of Adam Lyth he said that the batsman is a potential future star for England and it would be interesting to see how he earns his place back in the squad.
“This game is about success and failure and time out can be the greatest thing you can possibly do. Lyth could be a wonderful player but he is not the finished article yet and this time out will test him. We will see how he reacts in due course,” added McCullum.
England will play three Test matches, four ODIs and three T20 internationals against Pakistan in the series starting from October 13.
New Zealand toured the UAE last year and drew the three-match series level 1-1 after Pakistan had whitewashed Australia 3-0 just a month earlier.
“It is one the toughest places to tour in world cricket,” McCullum told The Guardian.
“We hold that Test win in Sharjah as one of our biggest successes. To beat a strong Pakistan side in those conditions, in my mind, is one of the biggest challenges in the world right now. Some very good teams have gone there and not come away with the spoils.”
Read: Wahab makes comeback, Ajmal misses cut in all formats
McCullum believes Moeen Ali can be the England captain Alastair Cook’s opening partner in the series against Pakistan in the UAE.
The right-hand opening batsman said if he was made to choose an opening partner for left-hand batsman cook, he would push Moeen up the order when the team visits UAE for the three-match Test series against Pakistan.
“I would put Moeen Ali up there for the UAE and move him down for South Africa,” said McCullum.
“You can’t be too stubborn. It’s like a horse, you can’t take it around the world and expect it to run the same race. You need to be flexible with game-plans and selection. Without doubt I would open the batting with Moeen Ali.”
The 33-year-old also welcomed the selection of Alex Hales saying he was an ‘excellent’ choice as he was able to attack whenever the team required him to.
“I like what they have done there with Hales, it’s definitely worth a crack,” said McCullum.
Read: 'Unattractive' Fawad Alam selected in the format he belonged to, says Bazid Khan
On the exclusion of Adam Lyth he said that the batsman is a potential future star for England and it would be interesting to see how he earns his place back in the squad.
“This game is about success and failure and time out can be the greatest thing you can possibly do. Lyth could be a wonderful player but he is not the finished article yet and this time out will test him. We will see how he reacts in due course,” added McCullum.
England will play three Test matches, four ODIs and three T20 internationals against Pakistan in the series starting from October 13.