Interesting contest ahead

England have a mountain to climb as they prepare to take on Pakistan in the UAE today with the start of the much-awaited three-match Test series between the two teams. The contest is likely to provide plenty of challenges to Alastair Cook’s side as they hope to sustain the momentum gained at home in a closely-fought Ashes series, which England won. The last Test tour to these shores was an abject humiliation for the then top-ranked England. Pakistan inflicted a 3-0 whitewash as Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman produced one sensational burst after another, casting bewitching spells with the ball. Three years on, both teams are banking on relatively inexperienced players for positive results. England are likely to blood leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the first Test while the younger lot, including Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Mark Wood, Jos Butler and Jonny Bairstow have a heavy weight of expectations on their shoulders. The seasoned fast-bowling trio of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn are expected to provide the much-needed sting to the attack on the largely benign UAE surfaces.

Pakistan, on the other hand, are firmly saddled as favourites for another thumping series win. However, such a tag can come to haunt them if the players become too complacent. Pakistan’s batting stocks are rich on paper with Younus Khan on the cusp of taking over Javed Miandad as the country’s highest Test run-getter. Captain Misbahul Haq, Asad Shafiq, Shan Masood and wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed are all in good form. Out-of-form openers Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez, however, are set for an intense scrutiny, especially after the withdrawal of Azhar Ali due to a foot injury. Yasir Shah has also emerged as a doubtful starter for the first Test due to injury concerns. Despite the development, however, the bowling attack should remain potent enough to trouble England substantially even without his inclusion. The series should provide some exciting cricket and Pakistan can be successful if they stick to an attacking game plan.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2015.

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