Pakistan can take heart from West Indies’ first Test victory: Rameez Raja
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|| Desk Report ||
Former Pakistan captain-turned-commentator Rameez Raja said that the touring Pakistan team can take heart from West Indies’ shocking defeat of hosts England in the opening Test of the three-Test series in Southampton.
Jason Holder’s troops thrashed England by four wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series after which Raja feels this England team is lacking in the batting department and can be put under pressure by a potent Pakistan attack.
“Pakistan will feel confident after watching West Indies’ performance (in the first Test). They will be feeling this England team can be defeated. Their batting doesn’t seem strong, however, the return of Joe Root will definitely help them,” said Rameez Raja.
“But I still feel this England batting line-up is capable of making mistakes. They have a world class all-rounder in Ben Stokes in their ranks but rest can be put under pressure,” Raza said during an interaction on his YouTube channel.
Pakistan are scheduled to take on England in a series comprising three Tests and as many T20Is after the completion of the West Indies series.
The matches will be played behind closed doors as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic that triggered mayhem around the world.
Raja thinks that the absence of the barmy army, a vocal English crowd, will be advantageous for the visiting Pakistan side.
“There won’t be any home crowd advantage for them. During crunch moments, support for the home team is very important. Pakistan now know that if they play sensibly in England they can beat them,” Raja said.
The first Test between the two teams will be played in Manchester starting August 5 while the final two Tests are scheduled to be played in Southampton from August 13 and August 21 respectively.
The three T20Is, meanwhile, will be played at a single avenue in Manchester on August 28, August 30 and September 1 respectively.
