Pakistan vs England, 3rd Test at Edgbaston: Pakistan batsmen vs themselves and other key battles

As Pakistan gear up take on a buoyant England side in the 3rd Test at Edgbaston, it becomes highly imperative that the batsmen fight their inner battles and than focus on the challenges posed by the host bowlers.

Pakistan after being slayed by England in the second Test, now get ready for to face them in the third Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, which could very well be a series decider. Misbah-ul-Haq and Alastair Cook, both will look to gain an unassailable lead by winning this tie. With a shattered confidence, and deflated spirit Pakistani batsmen in particular will be under the pump to re-kindle their show from the Lord’s Test. On the other hand, England will be eager to put one hand on the trophy, with another flawless performance. In this feature of key battles, Vishal Mehra takes you though some of the most simple and obvious challenges or threats England and Pakistan pose to each other with a twist. Live Cricket Scorecard, England vs Pakistan, 3rd Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham

Pakistan batsmen versus themselves: After showing restrain in the Lord’s Test, Pakistani batsmen heeded in, and gave England bowlers easy wickets. It was not like James Anderson and co were rattling the batsmen with seam and swing, rather just played on the temperaments of Asad Shafiq, Shan Masood, Sarfraz Khan and Azhar Ali. Anderson and Stuart Broad in particular used all their experience to outsmart them and making them play to their line of attack.

Younis Khan, who is one of the main batting stay of Pakistan, must curb his newly found dancing skills on the pitch, and play with a still posture. It becomes imperative for Pakistani batsmen to not only go through the videos of their dismissals alone, but also how they were set up balls before their wicket. 

Alastair Cook versus Misbah-ul-Haq captaincy style: Both the first Test at Lord’s and second one at Old Trafford, witnessed different molds of Cook and Misbah.  At Lord’s Cook was defensive most of time, while Misbah was on the offensive. It was exactly a role reversal at Old Trafford, Cook who had gained the upper-hand after Pakistan’s first innings show was on the look-out for a wicket in every over. Misbah was positive in bursts, mainly when the cloud cover helped his bowlers.

Misbah throughout the match looked bemused and unconfined as Cook, Joe Root boosted their teams morale. It should have been important for Misbah to get his field right and aggressive, more fielder in the slips were needed, and players keeping inside the 30-yards circle. Pakistan’s shoddy fielding is also to blame .

Mushtaq Ahmed versus Saqlain Mushtaq: This has been the hottest topic of debate, Pakistan’s bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed and England’s retained bowling consultant Saqlain Mushtaq, with the latter being called a traitor by his home fans. While Moeen Ali, has credited Saqlain’s advice and inputs in grabbing wickets so far. He picked up the important wickets of Mohammed Hafeez, Younis Khan (in the second innings) and Misbah-ul-Haq (twice in the match) apart from wiping out Pakistan’s tail at Old Trafford. And with Adil Rashid on the brink of playing the third Test it becomes all the most important for Saqlain to guide the young spinner.

Pakistan’s premier leg-spinner Yasir Shah rocked English line-up at Lord’s but was ineffective at Old Trafford. It can be said that the pitch was not conducive to him, as an-all left-arm attack meant, Yasir won’t get any rough to bowl to the batsmen.  Mushtaq, who formed a deadly-duo with Saqlain having played together in 16 Tests, will surely want to outdo his friend. Yasir after the Lord’s Test attributed Ahmed’s contribution, which helped him understand England’s condition better.

(Vishal Mehra is a reporter at CricketCountry, who enjoys his weekly dose of anime, and plays cricket once a white moon. His twitter handle is @capturethecatch )

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