London
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has warned the host team to not underestimate Pakistan’s potential in the upcoming Test series, maintaining that the green squad is much better than the West Indies team they just defeated 2-1.
The Caribbean side, not known to be a team cut for the longest format, upset England in the first Test and even though the home side eventually came back in the series, it was clear that they have a few chinks in their armour than can be exploited by a better side, which Vaughan believes Pakistan is.
“I am not disregarding the West Indies at all, but Pakistan is a better Test match team than the West Indies. So I am really looking forward to that series. It should be a ripper. Pakistan could come here and shock the England team if the English side plays as they did in the first Test against West Indies at Southampton,” Vaughan is quoted as telling Cricbuzz.
Vaughan further said that if England underestimates Pakistan based on their recent win over the West Indies, they could be in for a rude awakening.
“Pakistan is a wonderful team. They have the got skill levels with the ball in hand. Babar Azam and Azhar are two right-hand batsmen of high quality, who know how to play in England conditions. If Pakistan bats first and I am sure that is their plan and get scores on the board, they will really challenge this England side,” he said.
Moreover, Pakistan cricket team has a clean bill of health for the first time in over a month as fast bowler Haris Rauf has passed consecutive Covid-19 tests.
In an update provided by the cricket board, it was revealed that Rauf, the last national player to have the virus in his system has finally managed to shake off the illness. The pacer is now eligible to travel to England and rejoin the team, which he would do over the weekend.
