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RAWALPINDI: Amid fears of the worsening signing blunder for English cricketers recently, the possibility of making some changes in the squad already finalized for the opening Test of the series has become a moot point. The England camp is worried about the situation and has already put forward some suggestions about a late start to the series opener.
There were no such concerns for Pakistan captain Babar Azam who was beaming with confidence the day before the three-match series began.
“We are all charged with the series as we know very well that a good performance during the home series would put them on a good path towards the final of the World Test Championship. We know very well that three Test matches at home against England and two against New Zealand will be of utmost importance. A winning performance here can That puts us straight into the final of the World Series.It is very important that we play our best cricket to win this series.We are ready for that because I trust the players.Some of them were playing red-ball cricket in the Pakistani domestic circuit – so they are in good shape with bat and ball Others are long out of international cricket.” Speaking to the media before the Test, Babar Azam said: “
About eight to nine English players are dehydrated.
Approximately 14 members of the touring team, including eight players, contracted the diarrheal virus overnight. Although the English camp denies that there is a virus associated with Covid-19, it is believed that it could be any virus ranging from normal diarrhea to the virus associated with mild flu.
“We are so intertwined at the moment we know so little what the situation will be like early Thursday morning. We hope to get all the players ready with the start of the game. Joe Root, who gave a media interview in the absence of captain Ben Stokes, who has also been infected with the virus, said,” You can’t say anything definitive at this time.”
When asked if there were any chances of making any line-up changes that have already been announced, Root said at this time he wasn’t sure.
The England team management has already announced that Liam Livingston will be handed a Test debut.
“We have some leading players in Test cricket. We know very well that it is not easy to shift your game from one day to Test matches so quickly. Fortunately, we have majority of cricketers who follow red-ball cricket,” Root said.
Root was confident of his team’s chances of making it into the Test series with all his might.
“We have great chances to surprise Pakistan at home more because of the form of the players and the recent performance of the England team in all formats.”
The former England Test captain admitted that England must continue attacking cricket. “This has brought us some exciting results in the recent past. Our effort will be to put Pakistan under pressure by playing an attacking game. The bowlers have the ability to force their way into the Pakistan batting line-up by picking key wickets at critical times,” Root said.
When England were last here 17 years ago, Pakistan defeated the team 2-0 and won the last match by an innings.
“We want to repeat that feat by winning the exhibition and box series. We definitely want to emulate that performance. Winning this series is of utmost importance to us because not only are we playing at home, we are well on our way to reaching the final of the World Test Championship.”
However, Pakistan faces a tough proposition to reach the final of the Test tournament as the team requires at least four Test wins from the five they will play at home against England and then against New Zealand within a month. Currently Pakistan ranks fifth on the table with 56 points. Top of the table Australia with 8 points looked well positioned to reach the final.
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