The two previous Tests here have both ended in draws and have produced three double centuries at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. It is exciting to note that, in both instances, Pakistan's captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, won the toss and inserted the opposition. On the first occasion, South Africa combined 584 but not before they had been 33 for three, while on the second occasion, Sri Lanka was dismissed for 197. If there is any life to be exploited in the pitch, it might well be in the first few hours.
Much of England's success in recent years has come against sides that have imploded: India, Australia and Pakistan come to mind. All were in change and all capitulated under pressure. Pakistan is unlikely to do that. Pakistan play, on the whole, solid, sensible cricket. In the first Test, they were successful through bowling straight, playing straight and displaying discipline and patience in all departments. They applied the pressure and England buckled.
In the likes of Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Gul and the underrated Abdur Rehman, Pakistan have mature cricketers who know what it takes to prosper at this level. Besides, in Saeed Ajmal and Younis Khan, Pakistan is blessed with a sprinkling of genius. Ajmal was particularly impressive in Dubai. His use of the crease, his variations in pace and his subtle turn in each direction, presented huge problems for England. How they combat him in Abu Dhabi may well prove crucial.
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Much of England's success in recent years has come against sides that have imploded: India, Australia and Pakistan come to mind. All were in change and all capitulated under pressure. Pakistan is unlikely to do that. Pakistan play, on the whole, solid, sensible cricket. In the first Test, they were successful through bowling straight, playing straight and displaying discipline and patience in all departments. They applied the pressure and England buckled.
In the likes of Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Gul and the underrated Abdur Rehman, Pakistan have mature cricketers who know what it takes to prosper at this level. Besides, in Saeed Ajmal and Younis Khan, Pakistan is blessed with a sprinkling of genius. Ajmal was particularly impressive in Dubai. His use of the crease, his variations in pace and his subtle turn in each direction, presented huge problems for England. How they combat him in Abu Dhabi may well prove crucial.
Visit tracknfieldgear:Boxing Gloves, Online sporting goods
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