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England made a bright start to their Pakistan tour with a massive win in the series opener before losing the next two Tests.
England captain Ben Stokes (center) has a lot to think after his team’s sorry show. (AP Photo)
Former captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton decoded how England should have batted against Pakistan’s spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali.
England suffered a 1-2 series defeat at the hands of Pakistan recently despite an emphatic win in the opening clash. On the second day of the deciding Test in Rawalpindi, Hussain and Atherton discussed the batting approach England should adopt against Sajid and Noman.
“I think with Sajid Khan you’d think ‘don’t go back’, think of how he got Joe Root in the first series. Don’t go back because he’s a bit quicker and he does you on length.” Hussain said on Sky Sports.
On how to tackle Noman, Hussain said, “With Noman Ali, you’re thinking ‘don’t lunge forward’. You can’t come off that front foot and play off the back foot and open up your side.”
Referring to the Pakistan duo’s bowling actions, he added, “Obviously in the back of your mind you’ve got balls they are keeping low. But he’s (Noman) doing that and the other lad Sajid is doing that and it’s a good combination.”
Atherton analysed batting star Joe Root’s dismissal.
“I don’t think Root would’ve got out like that. I mean, Root is obviously England’s best player and best player of spin and so you know, you’re comparing (Ollie) Pope, who’s not quite as good a player as Root, with England’s best. But I think Root would have kind of bent slightly quicker and down, on his feet and not be deceived by the length.”
England endured a nine-wicket defeat at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The duo of Noman and Sajid were unrelenting, combining for 10 wickets in the second innings. Pakistan skipper Shan Masood scored a quick six-ball 23 to seal a win on home soil. Pakistan claimed a nine-wicket win in the third Test to seal the series 2-1.
