It is the cricketing world that needs to take a closer look at the Test series that is to be played soon, and the alarm bells have started ringing as veterans like Joe Root of England have clarified that Pakistan is an altogether tough team for them. According to Root, the talented and skillful people of Pakistan create good chances for them over other teams, the best conditions for them are their home conditions where it has been known to them that they are a force to be reckoned with.

“We know how good Pakistan are as a team & the amount of ability & skill level they have. You have got to have full respect for that. In their own conditions they have got a number of players that are match-winners and capable of doing very special things in Test cricket”

The historical context of Pakistan cricket does resonate with what Root says. Over the years, the country has grown match-winners who can unleash magic individually, from Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar derivative of the classic fast bowling lineage to Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan in the batting arena. Each one of them proved that an individual can single-handedly win a match, which fact, according to Root, he admits.

The Challenge Of Playing In Pakistan

Probably the first and greatest hurdle that any visiting side has to cross is the specific conditions of Pakistan. Pitching traditionally favors spinners, especially in the later stages of the match, thus the visiting teams need to make sure they have a strong all-round bowling attack. As per Root, Pakistani cricketers are both talented and well acquainted with their conditions, which helps them further. “As of now, in their conditions, they have several players that are match-winners,” he said, underlining the need to understand variations of pitches at any venue.

This respect is well-placed. The last time England toured Pakistan, they had an easy battle against the host, showcasing their remarkable talent in front of fans.

The Preparedness Issue

Preparation will be an important issue for England. This concept can be viewed from the remarks of Root as that to just walk up with a strong squad is not an acceptable way of winning. The team has to respect the strengths of Pakistan and prepare to counter them with good strategy. They have to make time to study conditions and learn to negate the strengths of Pakistan while playing keeping in mind their strength.

More than just a competition of skill, the series is also a game of the mind. With Pakistani fans known for their zest, they must play with them at home to lessen the added pressure. This can be a high-wire tightrope that Root and his team need to walk carefully in order not to feel the heat.