LEEDS: With their combination established after weeks of experimentation, Pakistan will treat their four-match Twenty20 International series against England, starting at Headingley on Wednesday, as their final warm-up ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Beginning their preparations for the T20 showpiece in April, Pakistan bolstered their bowling lineup after veterans, all-rounder Imad Wasim and pacer Mohammad Amir, rescinded their international retirements.
However, problems persisted in their batting combination, particularly with uncertainty over the number three and number six positions.
Pakistan tried out Usman Khan and Irfan Khan Niazi, who made their debuts in the home series against New Zealand in April.
Against Ireland earlier this month, Pakistan placed skipper Babar Azam at number three while Azam Khan played in the number six slot.
Both thrived in their respective positions as the team came back from a stunning loss against Ireland in the first of the three T20Is to outclass the hosts in the next two games.
Promising batter Saim Ayub and mainstay Mohammad Rizwan, who was brilliant against Ireland as well, cemented their spots in the opening positions despite Saim’s struggles up top.
The series win against Ireland boosted Babar and the Pakistan team management’s confidence in the current combination, and the team will look to make it a well-oiled machine before opening their World Cup campaign against the US in Dallas on June 6.
“Look, as you might have noticed we did not make many experiments in the Ireland series,” Babar said during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “We fielded the same lineup we foresee [to utilize] in the World Cup.
“We are planning to go with this combination and have almost decided on our batting and bowling lineups. You’ll see our planning in this series but yes, we might make one or two changes according to the conditions or what is required. But, mostly I’ll be batting at one down.”
Pakistan maintained run rates of more than 10, chasing to win both the second and third T20Is against Ireland, demonstrating a renewed approach, driven by an intent to hit big.
This approach saw Pakistan chase down targets of 179 and 194 with 18 and 19 balls to spare, respectively, suggesting the team was moving away from their past style of taking the game deep.
With momentum on their side, Babar believes 2022 champions England are the perfect opponents to face in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.
“We changed our style of cricket and mindset after losing the first T20I against Ireland,” recalled the 29-year-old. “People want us to hit only fours and sixes, but we have to play according to the situation.
Despite having the likes of pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Amir at their disposal against Ireland, Pakistan were slightly expensive against Paul Stirling’s men.
Babar defended his charges, putting his faith in their ability to bounce back through taking wickets.
“Sometimes you end up conceding runs, but you should see that those bowlers who leaked runs [against Ireland] also provided us breakthroughs,” he noted. “Yes, we are making some mistakes in patches but we have discussed this in detail. We have experienced bowlers who are among the best in the world, so they know how to execute plans and bowl accordingly. They also know how to come back after a bad performance.”
Pakistan’s bowling will receive a major boost with the return of pacer Haris Rauf — a T20 death-over specialist — who was cleared to play following an injury layoff that lasted nearly three months.
“We have been given the all-clear for Haris [Rauf],” Babar confirmed. “He is available for the series and you will see him [in action].”
England captain Jos Buttler, meanwhile, wants his team to show they are still a force to be reckoned with at the T20 World Cup after last year’s shambolic 50-over title defense left them with “dented” pride.
Buttler’s men went to the One-day International World Cup in India in October as double world champions but lost six of their nine matches to exit with a whimper.
“The pride was obviously dented, and it was a really disappointing competition,” he said. “But life moves on, it’s a chapter in the book and there are lessons you learn. We’re presented with a new opportunity now, in a different format.
“We go to the West Indies and want to give a better account of ourselves. It’s a real honor to go to another World Cup as defending champions again, but it also feels like a new time.”
Two of England’s 15-man squad are unavailable for the opening fixture in Leeds, with Liam Livingstone and Mark Wood both working through knee problems.
Paceman Jofra Archer will make his first England appearance in 14 months, but Buttler said it was important not to expect too much from a bowler who has been plagued by injuries.
“We all know what a superstar he has been, but let’s manage those expectations,” he said. “Don’t expect too much, too soon.
“A great success would be him coming through this series with a big smile on his face and his body holding up.”
There are questions over Buttler’s own availability in the coming days, with his wife Louise expecting the couple’s third child.
The vastly experienced Moeen Ali stands by to take the reins if required.
“My family comes first. I’ll be at the birth,” Buttler said. “I don’t think they quite tell you when they’re going to come, but we’ve got a plan in place and fingers crossed everything will go well.”
England launch the defense of their T20 World Cup crown on June 4 against Scotland in Barbados.
Squads:
PAKISTAN: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.
ENGLAND: Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.
Read more: BECS observes World cultural diversity Day
