HIGHLIGHTS
England are hosting Pakistan for a three match Test Series, starting from today at The Old Trafford in Manchester. Pakistan team will be in action for the first time since the break due to COVID-19 pandemic.
( Photo: Google, ENG vs PAK 1st Test PREVIEW.)
PREVIEW
Pakistan tour to England 2020 comprises of three Test matches and three T20Is. Pakistan team will be in action for the first time since the COVID-19 break. However England already played a three match Test series against the Windies and came from behind to win the Test series by 2-1 in last week. After losing the first match against the Windies, Stuart Broad came back to the team and just single-handedly torn the Windies batting line up apart.
It is also the resume of the ICC World Test Championship where England are in full confidence after a positive outcome against the Windies to move above their rivals Australia in the points table with only two wins required. But Pakistan has been the only side who had not lost a series against England since 2011. Pakistan is probably the only team who gave a good fight to England on their own soil in recent times.
It is their pace attack which makes the difference. Pakistan has been always a good producer of pace bowlers. The current attack is also full of quality but lacks experience.
England looking to go above Australia who are at second position whereas Pakistan are in the fifth position. However, all Pakistan’s victories have been in London and this time all the matches are outside London. They just have to show, they can do it outside London as well. Pakistan team traveled to England almost a month ago and has been following all the protocols. They had two Intra-Squad practice matches.
England finished the ODI series against Ireland just a few hours ago. But no one from the test squad was playing in that series.
PITCH REPORT and CONDITIONS
A dry pitch is expected which will help the spinners from day one. Manchester is a good wicket to bat on, if batsmen gives some time to themselves. Win the toss and bat first any day on this Manchester’s wicket.
Expecting some rain in the morning of Day 1. Otherwise it's looks like a perfect weather forecast for the next 5 days in Manchester. Hope for the best.
PROBABLE XI
ENGLAND: Dominic Sibley, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (C), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (WK), Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
Dom Sibley and Rory Burns are one of those pairs to watch out for. They will definitely open for England. Zak Crawley will be in the team as England might not go for Dom Bess as fifth bowling option as Pakistan batsmen are good players of spin. Joe Root got a decent record against Pakistan and one at Old Trafford as well. Without a doubt Stokes will start. However it is still not confirmed if he is fit enough to bowl in the first test. Ollie Pope got a decent 91 so he will come at number 6. Jos is 7. Followed by the pace attack from the last match against the Windies.
PAKISTAN: Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali (C), Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Shadab Khan, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas.
Shan and Abid will open the innings for Pakistan. Azhar Ali the captain who had a decent series in 2016 will come at 3. Babar is the player to watch out for in this series for most of the people around the globe. Following with Test specialist Asad Shafiq. Rizwan played well in Australia so he is the WK batsman. Shadab and Yasir will start, looking at the pitch. The pace attack will be Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah who got a hattrick in Pakistan against Srilanka with Mohammad Abbas as the last man.
MATCH PREDICTIONS
England are a bit favourates looking at the past records in the Old Trafford. But it will be no surprise if Pakistan make it through. All they just need is to bat first and score 300+ on this wicket.
The Match will start from 3:30 PM IST, 5th of August (Today).
TV: Sony SIX, Sony SIX HD
Live Streaming: SonyLiv App.
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