AFP, Southampton :
Pakistan head into today’s third Test at Southampton facing a first series defeat against England in 10 years.
The tourists are 1-0 down in a three-match campaign after a three-wicket defeat in the first Test at Old Trafford, a match where Pakistan were on top until the closing stages, was followed by a draw in a second Test at Southampton where neither side had a chance of victory in a match blighted by bad weather.
There had been concerns that, as happened to the West Indies’ fast bowlers during their 2-1 defeat by England in a preceding behind closed door series that marked international cricket’s return from lockdown, Pakistan’s quicks would be worn out by three back-to-back Tests.
But the lack of action in the second match – Pakistan had bowled just 43.1 overs in England’s first innings when a draw was agreed – should mean a first-choice pace attack of Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah are all fit and firing for Friday’s finale at the Ageas Bowl.
Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq was confident fatigue would not have been an issue in any event, with the former captain, in a blog for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s website, writing that “fitness has been an important part of our strategy as a team” since he took charge in September.
Pakistan head into today’s third Test at Southampton facing a first series defeat against England in 10 years.
The tourists are 1-0 down in a three-match campaign after a three-wicket defeat in the first Test at Old Trafford, a match where Pakistan were on top until the closing stages, was followed by a draw in a second Test at Southampton where neither side had a chance of victory in a match blighted by bad weather.
There had been concerns that, as happened to the West Indies’ fast bowlers during their 2-1 defeat by England in a preceding behind closed door series that marked international cricket’s return from lockdown, Pakistan’s quicks would be worn out by three back-to-back Tests.
But the lack of action in the second match – Pakistan had bowled just 43.1 overs in England’s first innings when a draw was agreed – should mean a first-choice pace attack of Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah are all fit and firing for Friday’s finale at the Ageas Bowl.
Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq was confident fatigue would not have been an issue in any event, with the former captain, in a blog for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s website, writing that “fitness has been an important part of our strategy as a team” since he took charge in September.
