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Pakistan must quell England’s dynamic batting
- Updated: August 23, 2016
Match Facts
Wednesday, August 24, Ageas Bowl Start time 2.00pm (1300GMT)
The Big Picture
It has been an historic time for Pakistan. Crowned the No. 1 Test team in the last 24 hours, following their series-levelling victory at The Oval and rain in Trinidad, a magnificent achievement for Misbah-ul-Haq’s side which has overcome so many hurdles to be top of the tree. In Test cricket, they have rarely had it so good.
The side that is now in England, however, is not Misbah’s. It’s Azhar Ali’s. And Pakistan’s one-day cricket is in very different shape to their Test unit. They are languishing at ninth in the table and are at risk of missing automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup unless they up their game over the next 12 months. A thrashing of Ireland will have provided a confidence boost, but little can be read into it.
England, on the other hand, are buoyant. Against Sri Lanka earlier this season, they fought back from the brink to secure a tie at Trent Bridge – a result that captain Eoin Morgan gives a lot of significance to – before hurtling to three convincing victories to take the series. The way they chased down 255 without loss at Edgbaston and 308 in 40 overs at The Oval highlighted the form of the batting order.
Ben Stokes returns following his calf injury and is likely to slot in at No. 5. That could mean Jonny Bairstow, who has enjoyed the season of his life, making way. Such are England’s riches at the moment, and that’s before you look at the players trying to get into the squad.
Pakistan’s one-day batting order has a far more youthful appearance without Misbah and Younis Khan. Azhar needs to define his role at the top of the order if he is not to come under increasing pressure over the next few months. Their bowling attack looks handy, however, with the swing of Mohammad Amir, the yorkers of Umar Gul and the legspin of Yasir Shah. Can Azhar find his inner Misbah and keep the feelgood factor going?
Form guide
(completed matches, most recent first)England WWWTL Pakistan WLLLL
In the spotlight
He’s back on the horse, that’s for …
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