Pakistan’s white-ball vice-captain Shadab Khan feels that the current squad has done well in the last year and has the desired momentum to beat England. Pakistan Team recently arrived in the UK for the limited-over series.
The Babar Azam-led side will play three-match ODI series followed by three-T20Is. The first ODI between Pakistan and England will be played on 8th July at Sophie Gardens, followed by the second ODI at Lord’s on 10th July. The third and final 50-over match will be played on 13th July at Edgbaston.
ENG v PAK 2021: Pakistan won’t air white-ball series as Indian company holds broadcast rights
The T20I series will start on 16th July and will culminate on 20th July.
With only a few days remaining for the start of the first ODI, Shadab Khan said that though conditions in England are different as compared to UAE but playing in PSL has given Pakistani players momentum and rhythm and they would like to continue the same.
“Surely, England is the ODI world champions, but we come into the series after playing some good cricket against them in the past. Of course, English conditions are different from UAE but PSL 6 has given us momentum and rhythm and we would like to keep this momentum going by playing some exciting and competitive cricket,” Shadab Khan told Pakistan Cricket.
Khan said that the passion and love of the players for the game are evident and it is great to be reunited with the squad after competing against each other in the PSL 6.
“The passion and love of these guys for the game are evident by the energy they have put in the practice session today. It is great to be reunited as a team after competing against each other in the successful PSL 6," he said.
Shadab Khan further talked about Pakistan’s depth saying that their batting order is settled with quality players in the side and their bowling order is beefed up with match winners. He added that they are confident and hopeful of showing full potential in the series against England.
Misbah-Ul-Haq says, England an important tour for Pakistan ahead of T20 World Cup
"If you look at our squad, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq have played extraordinary innings in South Africa. Fakhar has scored two centuries in three matches, while Imam scored two half-centuries which shows our opening pair is settled in this format.
“Our middle-order is strong too with Babar Azam -- who needs no introduction -- and Mohammad Rizwan, who is fresh from winning the PSL 6. Haris Sohail is back in the side having scored over 50 runs per innings in the UK.
“Our bowling department is beefed up by Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali, who are match winners. So we are very confident and hopeful of showing our full potential in the upcoming games," he concluded.
(ANI inputs)