Pakistan should not try to draw the series in England – Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan quick Shoaib Akhtar wants his team to play aggressively in England. Akhtar reckons that the visitors should not play to draw the series and they should go all out for the kill. The Rawalpindi express, as he is known, feels the tourists should keep a positive mindset and go for the win.

In fact, Akhtar added that the Pakistan team could have won more matches in England but the mindset of the batsmen was not right. The last time Pakistan toured England back in 2018, they were able to draw the two-match Test series by 1-1.

Pakistan had won the first Test by nine wickets but the hosts had bounced back to win the second by an innings and 55 runs. Furthermore, the series in 2016 also ended in a draw by a margin of 2-2.

Meanwhile, Akhtar added that Pakistan players should be tested negative for coronavirus but their mindset in England should be positive. A first batch of 20-member Pakistan squad has arrived in England and they have started training at Worcestershire.

Six more players, including Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan and Fakhar Zaman who have recently tested negative will soon travel to join their teammates.

Pakistan have a fiery bowling line-up that can trouble the England batsmen and if their batsmen can give them a good score on the board, then it would be a challenge for the hosts.

“I want to see players’ (Covid-19) test negative but want their mindset to be positive. Pakistan needs to play really good cricket. There is no cricket going on across the world and Pakistan will get to play against England after West Indies play against them,” Akhtar said in his YouTube channel.

“I pray to god that Pakistan won’t try to just draw the series there. In the past, we could have won many games in England but I feel the mindset of the batsmen just wasn’t there. I hope the team is able to assess the situation better in England and come up with a solid team combination,” Akhtar said.

Pakistan will play three Test matches and as many T20I matches on the England tour. The first Test of the series will take place at Lords whereas the second and third match will be played at Manchester and Nottingham. Leeds, Cardiff and Southampton will host the three T20Is between the two countries.

Pakistan has inexperience in their batting order and thus the role of their batting coach Younis Khan will be crucial. The former right-hander has great experience of playing in English conditions and he had also savoured success while playing in England.