Aaqib Javed Reckons 'Old Fashioned' Pakistan Will Struggle In England

Aaqib Javed, the former Pakistan fast bowler, feels that Pakistan’s cricket team will struggle in the upcoming Test series against England.

Pakistan is set to lock horns with England in a three-match Test series followed by as many Twenty20 Internationals in the month of August-September.

Pakistan drew their last two-Test series in England but Aaqib Javed reckons that the Azhar Ali-led team will struggle this time around due to their inexperienced and lack of practice.

“Pakistan did well in the last two Test series [in England] and we were able to draw the Test series, but during the last one or two years England have really raised their game and the way they are playing cricket in all three formats is just remarkable,” Aaqib Javed was quoted as saying by Dawn.

“Pakistan will struggle in the Test series as they have a quality line-up, They have world-class fast bowlers in the shape of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer as well as a match-winning all-rounder like Ben Stokes and also they have a fine Test batting line up.” he added.

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Pakistan still playing the game in an old-fashioned way: Aaqib Javed

Javed reckoned that Pakistan’s old-fashioned approach will cost them dearly against an English side that ‘scores rapidly’ in Test cricket.

“Their batsmen not only score big but also at a rapid pace and that is where Pakistan will lack as we are still playing the game in an old fashioned way,” Aaqib Javed said.

“If Pakistan manage to play 125 overs we still may not score enough runs as compared to England who can smash a huge score in as many overs and can out play the opposition after that.” he added.

Barring Mohammad Abbas, none of Pakistan’s fast bowlers have the experience of bowling in England and Aaqib Javed feels that ICC’s decision to ban the use of saliva will significantly hamper the Pakistani bowlers.

“If we look at the Pakistan pace attack, it lacks experience and a bit of quality. Abbas is an experienced bowler but he has lost pace and it will affect his performance. Also, after the ban of saliva, most Pakistan fast bowlers will struggle as they mostly rely on reverse swing and take wickets with the old ball. Shaheen Shah Afridi is a rising fast bowler and he can do well but the highly-rated Naseem Shah lacks experience and this series will be a big test for the young pacer.” Aaqib Javed added.

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