Pakistan were on cloud nine after a nine-wicket win over England in the Lord’s Test. After all, not many gave them a chance to defeat England in their own backyard and that too with a squad that had more limited-overs players than Test specialists.
After Sarfraz Ahmed’s boys huffed and puffed their way to a five-wicket win in Ireland’s inaugural Test, it seemed England needed to simply turn up to the ground to register victory. However, Pakistan surprised even their most ardent supporters by dominating England in all departments to script a famous win.
However, the second Test in Headingley saw the roles being reversed with England giving Pakistan no breathing space as the hosts completed an innings victory inside three days.
Understandably, the Pakistan management will examine the reasons behind the steep fall. Here, we look at three areas where Pakistan need to change their strategy in Tests.
PICK TEST PLAYERS FOR TEST MATCHES
Things looks good for Fawad Alam after Leeds Test.
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) June 3, 2018
Before the series started, many questioned the wisdom of selecting limited-overs specialists for a Test series. Pakistan’s management wanted those players who are likely to be a part of the 2019 World Cup to get acclimatised to UK conditions. But that should never have happened at the expense of an out-and-out Test player.
How domestic heavyweight Fawad Alam remains out of the Pakistan squad, let alone playing XI, is beyond comprehension. If a batsman has scored 10,000 runs and been by far the most consistent performer in first-class cricket in the last 10 years, he has to be a part of your Test team. That is the case especially if you have lost the services of icons like Misbah-ul Haq and Younis Khan.
REDUCE AMIR’S WORKLOAD
Mohammad Amir appears to be struggling with an injury to his left shoulder. It's reflected in his pace, which is 6kph slower than it was at Leeds. #ENGvPAK
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) June 3, 2018
Pakistan pace ace Mohammad Amir is clearly carrying at least one injury. He banged his knee in the Ireland Test and was seen clutching his shoulder on numerous occasions and grimacing in pain during the second Test at Leeds.
Amir is still effective enough to pick up wickets but Pakistan are bowling him to the ground. If he continues to bowl a major share of the overs in Tests, he will break down. And Pakistan can’t afford that as they will need him to be in peak condition for the World Cup in England next year.
TAKE A CALL ON SHADAB’S ROLE
What role does he play in the side?
Leg-spinner Shadab Khan’s batting has been a revelation. He has scored fifties in his last three Tests and all have come at crucial moments for the team.
While that is great to watch, it has taken the focus away from his bowling which is why he was selected in the first place. Shadab looked flat during England’s first innings in the second Test when he should have raised his game with the series on the line.
England’s batsmen comfortably played him off the back foot and for wrist spinners that’s a danger sign. It’s all well and good to contribute with the bat but Pakistan would rather have Shadab picking wickets or at least challenging batsmen enough for bowlers to dismiss batsmen at the other end.
Sarfraz and the management would do well to ask Shadab to refocus on his main job – that of an attacking, wicket-taking leg spinner.
