Michael Vaughan Reckons Pakistan Will Provide A Stiff Challenge To England In The Upcoming Test Series

Michael Vaughan, former England captain, believes that the Azhar Ali-led Pakistan outfit will provide a stiff test to the home side in the upcoming Test series.

England were well and truly beaten in the first Test of the recently concluded #raisethebat Test series against West Indies by four wickets but Joe Root’s men came back brilliantly to clinch the last two Tests by comprehensive margins of 113 and 269 runs respectively at the Emirates Old Trafford to regain the Wisden Trophy 2-1.

England’s next challenge will be Pakistan, which has traditionally provided the ‘Three Lions’ a stiff challenge in their own conditions. And, Vaughan, who termed Pakistan as a ‘better Test side’ than the West Indies said that Azhar Ali’s men could beat England if they play the way West Indies did at Southampton- the venue for the 2nd and 3rd Test.

“From an England perspective, it is a good step up. I am not disregarding the West Indies at all, but Pakistan is a better Test match team than the West Indies,” Michael Vaughan told Cricbuzz.

“So I am really looking forward to that series. It should be a ripper. Pakistan could come here and shock the England team if the English side plays like they did in the first Test against West Indies at Southampton.” he added.

Also Read: Younis Khan Hoping Babar Azam Starts Converting His 100 Into 150 Or 200

“They will really challenge this England side”- Michael Vaughan on Pakistan

Batting challenging English conditions against the Dukes and its greatest exponents in the form of James Anderson, Stuart Broad is one of the biggest challenges for any visiting side.

But Michael Vaughan feels that Pakistan boasts of enough quality and experience in their batting unit in the form of captain Azhar Ali and Babar Azam to challenge England.

Azhar Ali averages 28.55 after 20 innings in England. The opener has 514 runs to his name which includes two half-centuries and one three-digit score. Babar Azam, on the other hand, has played just one inning in England [at Lord’s in 2018] in which he scored 66.

“Babar Azam and Azhar (Ali) are two right-hand batsmen of high quality, who know how to play in England conditions. If Pakistan bats first and I am sure that is their plan and get scores on the board, they will really challenge this England side,” Michael Vaughan added.

The three-Test series will kickstart at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester from August 05. Pakistan have won just one out of the 6 Tests that they have played at the venue. Pakistan have drawn their last two series in England- 2-2 in 2016 & 1-1 in 2018.

Also Read: Shoaib Akhtar Unsure About Pakistan Team Management’s Thinking Behind The Squad Selection Ahead Of Test Series Against England