If Pakistan Can Draw The Series In England, It Would Be Equal To Winning: Shahid Afridi

As Pakistan gear up to take on England in the first Test of the three-match series, former allrounder Shahid Afridi has said drawing the series will be as good as victory. The much-anticipated first Test will get underway on Wednesday (August 5) at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

Pakistan will be looking to register their first series win in England since they beat the hosts by 2-0 in a three-match series in 1996. Their last two visits in England resulted into drawn series. In 2016, the four-match series ended 2-2 while in 2018, the two-match series ended 1-1.

England are definitely the favourites for the series but Pakistan will be fancying their chances too because of their impressive track record in the country as well as the new-look team. And ahead of the series, Shahid Afridi has said he has high hopes from Azhar Ali & Co.

“English conditions are difficult when it comes to Test matches. I have high hopes from our team and I think even if they can draw the series, it would be equal to winning,” Shahid Afridi told Cricket Pakistan.com.pk.

The former Pakistan captain further noted that head coach and chief selector, Misbah-ul-Haq, batting coach, Younis Khan, bowling coach, Waqar Younis and spin coach, Mushtaq Ahmed have loads of experience of playing in England which will be a big plus for the team.

“I think the presence of this management is a big plus for our team and I am confident that these former stalwarts will be able to guide the players well session to session in the Tests,” he opined.

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Shahid Afridi on Babar Azam:

Shahid Afridi also had some words of praise for Pakistan’s batting mainstay Babar Azam. Calling him a wonderful talent, the Pakistan great said the right-handed batsman would start winning matches for the team single-handedly in the coming days.

“He is a wonderful talent and I don’t think he has taken the pressure of being made captain. His game has improved and he loves challenges.

“He is going to be the backbone of the Pakistan batting and he is a very focussed player. In the coming days he should single handedly win matches for Pakistan,” he said.

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