Michael Vaughan Predicts The Result Of The Ongoing Test Series Between England And Pakistan

Former English captain Michael Vaughan has opened up on his prediction of the result between England and Pakistan in the ongoing Test series. England pulled off a jailbreak in the first Test in Manchester with Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes at the forefront of a three-wicket victory. The second Test begins in Southampton from Thursday and Michael Vaughan backs the hosts to win all three games.

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The home side has a chink in their armour ahead of the second Test. Their ace all-rounder Ben Stokes will miss the remainder of the series due to family commitments.

The Englishmen also have to find more consistency with the bat as Pakistani pacers were successful in penetrating through them. Their four-pronged pace attack also looked flat in the first innings but ultimately covered up for it in the second. It will most certainly go through a reshuffle.

Michael Vaughan underlined Ben Stokes as a massive positive influence in the dressing room. Despite that, the 45-year old remains confident of England’s depth and way too strong to beat Pakistan in all three Tests. Vaughan went on to say that Azhar Ali, who is an inexperienced captain, fluffed a huge opportunity to win an overseas Test.

“He plays a big, big role in that dressing room. Even though Ben Stokes is out I think England will be too strong. England will win the series 3-0, that’s my prediction. Azhar Ali is a young captain in terms of test matches but an experienced player in terms of test matches that he’s played. I think that was his chance to win a game overseas for the first time,” Vaughan said as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

I’d be surprised if he plays back-to-back games: Michael Vaughan

The Manchester-born cricketer is almost certain that seasoned quick James Anderson will not feature in consecutive Tests, considering England’s rotation policy. He highlights for Sam Curran and Mark Wood to take place while Zak Crawley might replace Ben Stokes.

“I’d be surprised if he plays back-to-back games, so I think he will be rested. Maybe Sam Curran will come in for him or Mark Wood. Zak Crawley will probably come in for Ben Stokes,” he added.

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