Pakistan vs England 2016, 2nd Test at Old Trafford, Preview & Predictions: England look to draw level with strengthened team

Pakistan went 1-0 up in the four-match series courtesy of a 75-run win over England in the first Test at Lord's.

England will lock horns with Pakistan in the 2nd match of the four-Test series at hosts’ second oldest Test venue, Old Trafford, Manchester. It was a fairytale start, on the English soil, for the 42-year-old Misbah-ul-Haq who scored a stunning hundred — despite the team being at crucial juncture —to guide Pakistan to a convincing 75-run victory in the first Test at the iconic Lord’s. It was a game that saw a leg-spinner catching the English batsmen in spin and a formerly convicted cricketer making headlines for the right reasons; Yasir Shah and Mohammed Aamer displayed swashbuckling performances in one of Pakistan’s most historic triumphs. Full Cricket Scorecard: England vs Pakistan 2016, 2nd Test at Old Trafford

However, with the return of James Anderson, leader of the English pace attack, the home side will be itching to avenge the loss and level the series. Along with him, England have named all-rounder Ben Stokes and leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the 14-man squad.

Rashid has lately been in spectacular form, picking 20 wickets and scoring 337 runs in seven County Championship matches. Given the form Moeen Ali has been in, replacing him with Rashid will only strengthen the team composition. Rashid, who featured in all three Tests in the UAE, had bagged a five-for in the second innings of his debut match but failed to continue the stellar show. With a batting average of 35.46 in First-Class cricket, Rashid will provide impetus lower down the order, if England’s middle-order conundrum continues. READ: How PAK held nerves vs ENG to seize big moments in 1st Test at Lord’s

However, if Alastair Cook decides to play twin-spin attack, either James Vince or Gary Ballance will have to warm the bench.

With Chris Woakes taking 11 wickets in the first match, Steven Finn and Jake Ball are likely to make way for Anderson and Stokes. While Anderson, without any hesitation, will be back taking wickets with the new ball, Stokes’ all-round ability will give the middle-order much-needed boost.

Pakistan, on the other hand, will try to keep things simple and stick to their basics. Despite the conditions being alien, their batters played with grit and resilience, keeping English pace attack’s swing threat at bay in the first encounter. However, like they did in the first match, relying heavily on one batsman would put them in trouble. READ: Yasir best leg-spinner since Warne: Stokes

Younis Khan had ominous start in both the innings, looking good for big scores but was dismissed while playing a rash shot (by his standards). As a matter of fact, for Pakistan to continue the winning momentum, he — along with veteran Misbah — will have to play long innings to register a big total on the scoreboard.

Their bowling is not a matter of concern. They have fierce pace, ferocious swing and wily spin in their armoury. If they manage to play as a cohesive unit, they will be an unstoppable force to reckon with. READ: Strauss set to revamp England’s selection panel

However, now that England will play their full strength side, Misbah-led Pakistan will have to pull up their socks and take the bull by its horn.

Squads:

England: Alastair Cook (c), Alex Hales, Joe Root, James Vince, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Aamer, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan

Time: 11:00 local | 10:00 GMT | 15:30 IST

(Kaustubh S. Mayekar, a reporter at CricketCountry, played cricket at U-16 level. Like his idol Rahul Dravid, he often shadow-practises cricket shots. His Twitter handle is @kaumedy_)

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