Pakistan need to make some tough decisions as they prepare for their first test vs. England…
Pakistan have posted a total of 321/9 in their last tour match before the start of first test vs England at Lord’s on Thursday. The highlight of their innings was Fakhar Zaman’s swashbuckling 71 of 98 balls and Azhar Ali’s return to form with a patient 73. The new entrant, Usman Salahuddin, also chipped in with a gritty 69 off 154 balls. Although runs under the belt for Pakistani batsmen is a healthy sign going into the Lord’s test, it would be wise to not read too much into this batting performance as it is coming against a weak side who finished at the bottom of the table in 2017’s county championship.
With Imam-ul-Haq assumed to be a part of the playing XI in the first test, a selection dilemma is awaiting Pakistani captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as he must select a second opener. Azhar Ali has been terribly out of form lately, boasting a paltry total of 40 runs at an average of just 8 in his five innings on this English tour, but will it be justified for Pakistan to drop its most senior professional in the first test for Fakhar Zaman, who is capable of providing some much-needed impetus to the Pakistani top-order?
There were fifties for Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Usman Salahuddin for Pakistan in their tour match. @GeorgeDobell1 reports from Grace Roadhttps://t.co/EpoP7ynL6I
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 19, 2018
The only other option which seems viable for Pakistan is dropping Azhar down to his traditional #3 spot, where he has churned out some big totals in the past. However, this means the axe would have to fall on young Babar Azam, who has a dismal test record but has shown great promise in limited-overs cricket.
This England tour could prove to be a baptism by fire for the young Pakistani batsmen – and the ‘new’ senior members of the team who were previously under the shadow of Misbah and Younis will have to come out and force proceedings in the middle if their team is going to succeed. But first, Pakistan’s management must sit together and determine the ideal team combination for the days ahead.