Former pacer Aqib Javed foresees a great deal of "struggle" for the Pakistan side during its Test series in the UK against England. 

The visitors have been able to draw their last two away Test series in three lions' den, but Javed said there has become a gulf between the two sides since the last trip in the 2018 summer. 

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And hence, he believes, they would find it difficult to cope up with the same opponent in those conditions this time.

"Pakistan did well in the last two Test series [in England] and we were able to draw the Test series, but during the last one or two years England have really raised their game and the way they are playing cricket in all three formats is just remarkable," Javed was quoted as saying by 'Dawn' on Pakistan's prospects in the three-match Test series, due to be played in August. 

"Pakistan will struggle in the Test series as they (England) have a quality line-up, They have world-class fast bowlers in the shape of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer as well as a match-winning all-rounder like Ben Stokes and also they have a fine Test batting line up."

While strike-rate isn't as much of an issue in Test match cricket, Javed thinks Pakistan still needs to revisit its old fashioned ways at the crease. 

"Their (England's) batsmen not only score big but also at a rapid pace and that is where Pakistan will lack as we are still playing the game in an old fashioned way."

"If Pakistan manage(s) to play 125 overs we still may not score enough runs as compared to England who can smash a huge score in as many overs and can outplay the opposition after that."

Lack of experience within the visiting pace pack has also been talked about, with the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah going on their first Test trip to the UK. That, and the fact that they'll have to adjust to the new rules, including ban imposed by the ICC on the usage of saliva for ball-shining in wake of COVID-19 pandemic, will only make life more difficult, reckons Javed. 

"If we look at the Pakistan pace attack, it lacks experience and a bit of quality," he said. "Abbas is an experienced bowler but he has lost pace and it will affect his performance."

"Also, after the ban of saliva, most Pakistan fast bowlers will struggle as they mostly rely on reverse swing and take wickets with the old ball."

"Shaheen Shah Afridi is a rising fast bowler and he can do well but the highly-rated Naseem Shah lacks experience and this series will be a big test for the young pacer," Javed added. 

The first batch of 20 players and 11 support staff personnel that had tested negative of the Coronavirus infection has already reached there and will be joined by further six players who have now recovered, having twice tested negative since turning out positive the first time. 

The visitors will have their 14-day quarantine period in Worcestershire before shifting base to Derbyshire ahead of the first Test. 

The exact dates and venues for the three-Test series, as well as the three T20Is, are expected to be announced in the coming days.