Lahore: Former Test cricketer Basit Ali thinks that team management will prefer Iftikhar Ahmed over Fawad Alam in the first Test of three matches series against England.
Speaking to reporters via teleconference, Ali predicted that Iftikhar will play the opening Test following more left-handed batsmen in the England side.
“I think Misbah and team will go with Iftikhar instead of Fawad in the first Test. Iftikhar can be handy with his right-arm off-spin as England has more left-handed batsmen,” he said.
Talking about cricket in the bio-secure bubble, Ali said that it will be difficult for both the teams to adjust in new conditions but England would have an edge after playing three Tests against West Indies.
“It will be a new experience for both the teams. I think England will adjust against West Indies and obviously they will have home advantage,” he said.
“As far as ‘minus crowd’ is concerned so Pakistan was used to of playing without the crowd. Upper and lower order batsmen will feel easy to score runs according to new rules with a ban on applying saliva to the ball,” he added.
Ali is confident that the team management comprised of big names including Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, and Waqar Younis will make players ready to win with no other option.
“Players will get a lot of chances to learn from this team management. Younis has started working with batsmen which is a good sign and I saw the change in Abid Ali while batting in an intra-squad practice match,” he concluded. – Agencies
