Pakistan opener Shan Masood says England still a strong side despite defeat to West Indies

Shan Masood additionally doesn’t solely see pacer Jofra Archer as the one menace within the upcoming Test collection in England and mentioned the Pakistani batsmen can be examined by all of the English bowlers. (AP/FILE)
Pakistan opener Shan Masood doesn’t wish to learn an excessive amount of into England’s four-wicket defeat towards the West Indies within the first Test, saying shedding only a match doesn’t make them a weak aspect.

England misplaced the opening Test by 4 wickets on Sunday at an empty Rose Bowl in Southampton, the primary worldwide cricket match after the coronavirus outbreak.

“This is the first competitive match for both teams after nearly three months and I think the rustiness was evident in the home side. But I think they (England) have a lot of strong reserves to draw up from,” Masood mentioned.

“When Joe Root returns to the side as captain, the batting will also be more stable,” he mentioned on Tuesday.
Pakistan are at the moment in England to play a three-match Test collection beginning on August 5.

The 30-year-old Masood mentioned it could be a mistake to suppose that England are a weak aspect since they misplaced to the West Indies and that Pakistan can beat them.

“England have a lot of experience and strength in their squad who have yet to play. And their top batting is also not brittle as some people believe. Don’t forget these same batsmen scored runs in South Africa when England won the Test series.”

He additionally doesn’t solely see pacer Jofra Archer as the one menace within the upcoming Test collection in England and mentioned the Pakistani batsmen can be examined by all of the English bowlers.

“England have a great reserve of pace bowlers. Archer is not the only one to worry about as a opener but the remaining bowlers will also pose serious challenges in their own English conditions,” he mentioned.

Masood has been in prolific type for Pakistan of their final three Test collection towards Australia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, even scoring again to again a whole bunch towards the latter two groups this yr.

The left-handed batsman additionally felt that no matter the truth that bowlers can not apply saliva to the ball in these COVID-19 occasions, batting would stay a take a look at in English situations.

“So many components come into play, the overhead climate, the pitches, the duke ball and so on. In England the position of openers is essential however in these situations as a batsman you must make sure you punish the unhealthy balls.

“You are always likely to get that one good ball which will get you out no matter how long you bat for. So it is imperative to play with an intent to score runs, not just defend.”

Pakistan want to offer Fawad Alam a second likelihood:to revive his Test profession: Ramiz Raja
Fawad Alam (proper) represented Pakistan in solely three Test matches, piling 250 runs at a median of 41.66. His final Test was towards New Zealand at Dunedin means again in 2009. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja believes left-handed batsman Fawad Alam deserves to be given a second likelihood to revive his Test profession within the upcoming collection towards England to be performed in a bio-secure surroundings.

Ramiz mentioned Alam, 34, had been ready within the wings for lengthy to have a second crack at Test cricket.

“I think the way he (Alam) has performed consistently in domestic cricket, he deserves a chance now as age is not on his side,” Ramiz mentioned whereas answering followers’ questions in a stay YouTube session.

“I think they should play Fawad Alam because he has been waiting in the wings with the team. If they hold on for longer, age might start becoming a factor because your reflexes start to slow down. He should definitely get one chance in this Test series,” he added.

Pakistan will sq. off in a three-match Test collection towards England, beginning August 5 at Manchester.

Alam represented Pakistan in solely three Test matches, piling 250 runs at a median of 41.66. His final Test was towards New Zealand at Dunedin means again in 2009.

But Alam’s Test probabilities brightened up after middle-order batsman, Haris Sohail had pulled out of the England tour because of household causes.
Alam, who scored a century on his Test debut again in July, 2009 towards Sri Lanka at Colombo, has appeared in 38 ODIs and 24 T20 Internationals between 2010 and 2015.

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