English captain Alastair Cook and Joe Root were the chief architects of England’s massive win against Pakistan in the second Test at Old Trafford. After suffering a shock defeat at Lord’s by 75 runs, Cook and Root led a spirited fightback as the hosts defeated the visitors by a huge margin of 330 run to level the four-match Test series 1-1. The duo scored 506 runs out of England’s 762 runs in the match and so it was not surprising when Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed admitted that the duo’s wickets will be of utmost importance to his team.

Alastair Cook’s 105 in the first innings and Root’s 254 frustrated the Pakistan bowlers. Cook and Root followed up with 76* and 71* respectively in the second innings to ensure a 565-run advantage over the visitors before they were bowled out for a mere 234 in the final innings.

In an interview with Pakpassion.net, Sarfraz said that the visitors would look to pile pressure on the hosts by dismissing Root and Cook early.

“This is foremost in our minds. These two are key batsmen for England and we will plan to take their wickets early so as to put pressure on the rest of the batting line-up,” Sarfraz said.

“Rest assured that our coaching staff will be putting a lot of stress on this objective for the next games,” he added.

Sarfraz believed Root was a major contributor in Pakistan’s defeat.

“It was his batting in the second Test which made the difference and took the game away from us,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman.

“He must be appreciated as some of his shots against good balls even put doubts in the minds of our bowlers.

“He is a batsman with an excellent technique and when he plays those shots, any bowler would feel demoralized,” added Sarfraz.

The third Test will start on August 3 at Edgbaston.