Pakistan shifts focus to England as Test squad leaves West Indies

KARACHI: Former Pakistan Test opener Sadiq Mohammad believes Pakistan should resist the temptation to make sweeping changes for the opening Test against England, saying confidence gained from the drawn series in the West Indies has left the visitors well placed to compete in English conditions. With the three-match Test series set to begin in England in the coming days, Sadiq said the unusually warm weather could reduce the traditional advantage enjoyed by England's seam bowlers. "With such a hot weather in England, the pitches will play normally, like Pakistan," Sadiq told The Express Tribune.

Sadiq said Pakistan's batting unit should carry plenty of confidence following performances in the Caribbean. "After good series in the West Indies, the Pakistani batsmen must be very confident," he said. "They were in winning positions in both Tests, and then equalising the series must have given them a lot of confidence to do well in England." Sadiq urged the selectors to keep faith with the batting order that featured in the final Test against the West Indies, recommending only one change to the bowling attack.

"There should be only one change, and that is Mohammad Abbas coming in for one of the new seamers," he said. "The batting line-up should remain the same as in the last Test in the West Indies." He said Azan should continue to open alongside Imam-ul-Haq, with Abdullah at number three and Babar Azam at four. Salman Ali Agha should bat at five, followed by Mohammad Rizwan at six and Sajid Khan at seven.

Sadiq also backed off-spinner Sajid Khan to play a pivotal role. "Sajid Khan contributes with both bat and ball. In fact, he can put England in a lot of trouble," he said.

The former Test opener believes Pakistan should bowl first if they win the toss, hoping to exploit any early assistance from a fresh surface. "If Pakistan win the toss, they should field first and take advantage of the new hard pitch with the new ball," Sadiq said. "England should not be allowed to score more than 225 in the first innings." He called for experienced seamer Mohammad Abbas to be used carefully while praising Mohammad Ali for his recent performances.

"Mohammad Abbas should be used sensibly," Sadiq said. "Mohammad Ali has impressed me with his bowling line and pace. He should concentrate on the fourth-stump line and make sure he does not give batsmen any width to cut.