 England will play Pakistan in the second Test match that starts from 6 August at Birmingham. England leads the series 1-0, a result that they had achieved
by winning the first Test match at Trent Bridge by a whopping margin of 350 plus
runs.
Pakistan has had many issues with their batting. For one, their opening batsmen
have not been able to perform as a team. This means that rarely has it happened
that the pair of Salman Butt and Imran Farhat got off to starts of any
kind and that has meant that the side has struggled at the top of the innings.
On the other hand, both, Azhar Ali and Umar Amin are playing only in their 4th
game, and the inexperience has been seen on many occasions. With Umar Akmal
out of form, life has become miserable for the side.
Click for Live Score Card of England Vs PakistanThis game may see a couple of changes. Mohammad Yousuf has been given
the SOS call, and that means that the side will see his inclusion into the playing
eleven. This will mean that Amin may be shown the door. On the other hand, one
also expects Yasir Hameed to be involved in the game and that should mean that
Ali is also shown the door.
The bowling is Pakistan's best suit. Especially the pace bowling, and they
would hope that the track at Birmingham remains as conducive for the same, as
it had in the previous game. Danish Kaneria has been cut off from the
squad and Raza Hasan has been called up to replace him. However, it will be
Saeed Ajmal who should make it to the playing eleven in place of Kaneria.
For England, they have retained the same 12 for the second Test match as well,
and one gets the sense that they will play the same 11. With the kind of form
exhibited by the English batsmen and bowlers, it makes sense to go in with a
winning combination.
Alastair Cook will be the one batsman who may need to bat out of his skin to
be able to retain his place in the side, once the big guys come back. For now,
Ian Bell is out of the Tests, and so Jonathon Trott and Eoin Morgan are
playing and getting the big runs. However, if Bell becomes fit and Cook continues
to not score the runs, things could get difficult for him.
England should go 2-0 up in this game if they do everything well.
|
