England vs Pakistan: Three key battles which could decide the series

With the first Test at Lord’s quickly arriving over the horizon, The Cricketer looks at some of the key match-ups which could have a big bearing on the two-match series...

^{Jonny Bairstow and Safraz Ahmed face off as rival wicketkeeper-batsmen}

With the first Test at Lord’s quickly arriving over the horizon, The Cricketer looks at some of the key match-ups which could decide the match and the series...

Mohammad Amir vs Alastair Cook

Perhaps the biggest battle will come between England’s leading run-scorer of all time in Tests and Pakistan’s leader of the attack. When Alastair Cook opens the batting against Mohammad Amir at Lord’s he will be facing one of the bowlers he has ranked as the hardest he’s faced in his career and indeed he has struggled with Amir’s left-arm pace and swing on occasion.

Should Cook fall early to Amir then Pakistan could potentially trigger some familiarly nervy English batting performances, given the importance of ‘Chef’s’ stability at the top of the order for the hosts and despite his struggles over the winter.

If Cook, though, can survive the early spells of Amir, alongside his potentially dangerous strike bowling partner Mohammad Abbas, then there is a very distinct possibility that he will go big and provide England’s new-look aggressive middle order with a license to thrill.

Amir, as Pakistan’s lead attack bowler, carries the weight of expectation with him to help the tourists bowl England out twice and, as such, his early innings encounters with Alastair Cook will be vital, setting the stall out either way with regards to whether he is going to run through the English batting line-up in swing-friendly late May conditions or be nullified by Cook and Co.

^{Alastair Cook, left, and Mohammad Amir}

Sarfraz Ahmed vs Jonny Bairstow

The Test and series could also be a tale of two wicketkeepers as it appears likely that their fortunes, differing or otherwise, will heavily influence the direction of the results.

Averaging nearly 40 in Test cricket, Sarfraz’s batting will be an important factor in the visiting’s side’s middle order but it is his captaincy and wicket-keeping that is of greater importance.

Gutsy, brave and with an infectious character, Sarfraz lifted the Champions Trophy in 2017 as captain while his T20 captaincy has also been deemed a success. Now Test captain, Sarfraz faces his biggest challenge yet, especially after leading Pakistan to only their second ever home series whitewash in his first series in charge in October 2017.

Demanding, emotional and more than handy behind the stumps, Pakistan need their captain at his most inspiring if they are to get anything out of the series.

England’s man behind the stumps, Jonny Bairstow, will also prove pivotal in the series now that he has been elevated to bat at number five, in essence the engine room of the batting line-up, while also keeping. This could prove a massive undertaking, but if anyone is going to do it then Bairstow is the man and his runs could be absolutely vital as it is clear he is one of England’s top six best batsmen.

^{James Anderson, left, and Azhar Ali}

Azhar Ali vs James Anderson

Much in the series could also depend on James Anderson. Should he continue his rich vein of late-career form then Pakistan may not be able to cope, crumbling under the weight of the ‘Burnley Lara’s’ swing bowling.

The experienced man who will have to face up to him early on, Azhar Ali, bares a lot of responsibility for guiding the batting line-up through a period of time that will be incredibly tricky against a new red ball and Anderson and Stuart Broad charging in.

Therefore, the Ali-Anderson battle will be intriguing and, perhaps, not quite as one-sided as people may think. After all, Ali, after 63 Tests, averages nearly 46 with 14 Test centuries to his name and he has plenty of experience in England. He, too, battled his way into some sort of form in Pakistan’s final tour match against Leicestershire, scoring 73.

It appears that if Anderson gets on top against Ali and co early on in the visitors innings then things will be potentially irreparable for them. Should Ali guide Pakistan to the change bowlers though, they may be able to register all important first innings runs. Their series very well could depend on it.

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