Match Preview: England vs Pakistan- 1st Test
Pakistan will be up against England at Lord's in the first Test starting Thursday. The Asian side come off a victory against Ireland earlier this month. For England, some of their stars return from the Indian Premier League fold. England will be hoping to start well and bounce back after recent poor record in Tests. Here is all you need to know.
England hope to seize momentum
England will be wary of a Pakistan side that boasts of a top quality pace attack. The last time Pakistan were in England back in 2016, they earned a respectable 2-2 draw. This time it is a 2-match Test series and therefore seizing the opportunity from the beginning will be crucial for both sides. England will be wanting to make home advantage count.
Pakistan cognizant of England's recent form
England had a torrid time in the 2017-18 Ashes, losing the series 4-0. Against New Zealand, as well, they lost 1-0 in the two-match Test series. One of the issues has been lack of a collective performance and their batting at times hasn't clicked. Pakistan will go into the game knowing that England will be a bit jittery and that's where they can strike.
Can Pakistan stop high-flying James Anderson?
The senior pacer has been one of the in-form England players. In the last nine Tests against West Indies, Australia and New Zealand, he has picked a total of 39 wickets. He will once again be the leader of the pack and will look to trouble Pakistan batsmen. It will be crucial for Babar Azam and Azhar Ali to stand up strong atop.
A look at the England and Pakistan squads
Pakistan - Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Sami Aslam, Haris Sohail, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saad Ali, Asad Shafiq, Usman Salahuddin, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Abbas , Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Faheem Ashraf. England - Mark Stoneman, Alastair Cook, Joe Root (captain), Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Dominic Bess, Mark Wood
Match conditions, TV listings and timings
There will be seam movement for pacers and once the Test progresses, batsmen will get help. The match will be telecast live on Sony Six and Sony Six HD. The match will start at 3:30 PM. It can be streamed live on Sony LIV.
