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Waqar Younis believes Pakistan captain Azhar Ali can overcome a poor run of type as his aspect search for a series-levelling win in the second Test towards England at Southampton beginning Thursday. Pakistan, regardless of not having performed worldwide cricket for six months due to the coronavirus, dominated nearly all of final week’s first Test at Old Trafford, with opening batsman Shan Masood hitting a Test-best 156 and leg-spinner Yasir Shah taking eight wickets. Their tempo trio of Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi and teenage rising star Naseem Shah all troubled England’s high order.
Pakistan, regardless of a second-innings collapse, had been nonetheless favourites to win once they diminished England to 117-5 in pursuit of a goal of 277.
But a partnership of 139 between Chris Woakes (84 not out) and Jos Buttler (75) turned the tide as England received by three wickets to go 1-Zero up with two to play.
Azhar, criticised for his techniques throughout Buttler and Woakes’ stand, has made only one fifty in 10 innings since turning into skipper in November.
Pace nice Waqar, himself a former Pakistan captain and now the staff’s bowling coach, sympathised by saying Wednesday: “Being captain and playing in the top order is not easy.
“When you are in unhealthy type, or have had a foul recreation, every thing will get scrutinised.
“I’ve been captain myself so I know what he’s going through. But he’s a seasoned player…He knows how to come out of these situations and I expect him to deliver in the upcoming two Test matches.”
Pakistan performed two leg-spinners at Old Trafford, with Shadab Khan backing up Yasir, however they may now deploy a fourth seamer on what could also be a much less receptive Ageas Bowl floor.
If that is the case then Faheem Ashraf, who has performed in simply 4 Tests since making his debut towards Ireland two years in the past, could also be in line for a recall.
“We haven’t really decided about it but we are definitely going to gear him up and see whether he is ready to go and deliver the goods for Pakistan,” stated Waqar.
As for the 17-year-old Naseem, the most recent quick bowler to return off Pakistan’s manufacturing line of pacemen, an enthusiastic Waqar stated: “What a talent he is.
“When you discuss whether or not he is usually a nice it is extremely tough to make certain about anybody. Pakistan, over time, has produced some actual high quality quick bowlers.
“If he keeps himself fit and strong and keeps bowling, I’m sure he has the potential to become a very good bowler.”
It is 10 years since Pakistan misplaced a Test sequence towards England and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq stated they “should not be mentally down” following final week’s agonising loss.
England star all-rounder Ben Stokes will miss the final two Tests of the sequence after travelling to New Zealand to be along with his unwell father.
Zak Crawley, dropped for the final two Tests in favour of an additional bowler deployed by England to compensate for Stokes’ quad damage, is now set to return to England’s high order.
Meanwhile England captain Joe Root, who has received his final six Tests as skipper, stated it was “likely” James Anderson would play this week.
Promoted
That is regardless of England’s all-time most succesful bowler having taken simply six wickets in three Tests at an costly common of over 41 apiece thus far this season, together with 1-67 at his Lancashire dwelling floor final week.
But Anderson, simply 10 shy of turning into the primary paceman to take 600 Test wickets, has dismissed rumours of his retirement, with Root saying: “To question Jimmy’s ability and his record — do that at your own peril.”
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