SHARJAH // England will bid to level the Test series against Pakistan on the same 22 yards of turf as where they started their cricket on this tour last month.
Forcing a series-halving win, without the injured Mark Wood, who has arguably been their leading bowler, is going to be a tough challenge at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Here are some factors that could affect the outcome.
Is this really the last we are going to see of Misbah-ul-Haq?
The last forward defence. The last hoick for six. The last time he dampens the flames of crisis. The last time he stares down the back wall in a press conference.
Perhaps not. The Pakistan Cricket Board have asked their captain to shelve his retirement plans, and he is considering it.
“There is a long gap now until the next Test series,” Misbah said.
“Before this I was just trying to make a decision before this Test match, now I will leave it for this period and really think once more, because there is some time.
“Let’s see. They have requested it, but it is important for me to rethink and decide.”
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Alastair Cook observed the football kickabout, rather than play.
That was a precautionary measure, to protect the groin injury he suffered in the Dubai Test.
He took his place at first slip in the cordon during catching practice, though, suggesting he could be fit to return there during the game. He had also injured his left hand in the opening Test in Abu Dhabi.
“I’ve been pretty confident since the second day after that game,” Cook said.
“The medical team have been working pretty hard on me and I have felt fine from then.”
Bilal Asif has been declared fit for purpose after being tested for a suspected illegal bowling action.
Even with Imran Khan’s injury enforced absence from the side for the third Test, Asif seems likely to have to wait a little while yet for a Test debut.
He should stay patient. According to Misbah, he has a bright future ahead of him.
“At the moment we don’t have any other off-spinners in Pakistan,” Misbah said.
“He took five wickets in Zimbabwe and we thought we had a spinner we could rely on for the future. After he was cleared, I think that can really help Pakistan cricket. He is a youngster who can bowl and bat.”
England have been forced in to one change for this Test because of Wood’s injury, with Liam Plunkett his most likely replacement.
The other change to the XI has been brought about because of Jos Buttler’s miserable form. He will be dropped, with Jonny Bairstow taking over the wicketkeeping gloves and James Taylor coming in to the side.
“I firmly believe he is ready,” Cook said of Taylor. “He played a few games in 2012, didn’t make the next tour and I’m sure he feels he was harshly treated.
“That can either go for or against you. He has gone away, and he is certainly a different player to the one I remember him as.”
Misbah reckons England have posed a bigger challenge for his side than Australia did when they toured UAE at the end of last year.
The Australians were comprehensively beaten two Test matches in 2014.
“You can clearly say they are really batting well, better than Australia in these conditions,” Misbah said.
“They have put up a good show in batting against spin. Maybe there is a difference in the pitches also, but credit should be given to them the way they are applying themselves, the way they are getting runs.”
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