Pakistan targeting fragility in England middle order

Jul 11, 2016 at 12:18 PM

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Pakistan targeting fragility in England middle order

Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz claims they can put pressure on England as their middle order is still “fragile”, ahead of the first Test at Lords.

“We know that England is struggling with their middle order, Joe Root is one of their best players and he has to take the responsibility, so that’s why he is at No.3,” Wahab was quoted as saying.

“But I think the other batting is fragile. If you get Cook and Root quickly, you can really put pressure on them, but you can’t take things easy against them,” he added.

While Wahab, who went a long way in cementing his Test berth with a fiery spell of reverse swing on the second afternoon against Sussex, is absolutely right to pinpoint the concern over the No. 4 and 5 positions ahead of the series, England’s lower middle-order has been prolific of late. However, they will face more challenge from Pakistan’s attack – sharp left-arm pace complemented by the leg-spin of Yasir Shah – than they were by the Sri Lankans.

Jonny Bairstow, who has been enjoying an impressive form, has led the way, while Moeen Ali struck a career-best 155 against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street. Moeen will be followed by Chris Woakes who has half-centuries in Tests and ODIs this season. Ben Stokes, who was left out of the squad for the first Test as he continues his return from knee surgery, is believed to be back for the second Test at Old Trafford.

Ahead of the final squad being named, there were rumours that Stokes could be included to play as a batsman while Jos Buttler’s name was also surfaced for a batting position following his impressive limited-overs form. But Buttler subsequently broke a finger playing for Lancashire, so will now not be an option during the Test series, but Pakistan’s coach Mickey Arthur said he had been preparing for that duo to be in the line-up.

“We obviously looked at the squad with a lot of interest,” Arthur told ESPNcricinfo.

“Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are guys that can take the game away from us, so, though it’s not a relief, we were preparing for an England middle order of Bairstow, Stokes, and Buttler. But the guys that have come in have earned their opportunity and must have done something right, so certainly won’t take them lightly.” He further said.

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