All options are being considered, including fielding two regular spinners, says bowling coach Waqar Younis, as Pakistan keeps an open view of the conditions it can expect to get during the three-Test series against England in the UK, starting August 5.
In what is a curtailed but busy summer amid COVID-19 pandemic, only two venues - Manchester's Old Trafford and the Ageas Bowl in Southampton - are being used for fixtures, as they offer on-site hotels which help with the creation of bio-secure bubble.
Consequently, the playing squares at both grounds will get more tired than they would've in normal circumstances. Also, with the Test matches beginning in August, dryish part of the English summer, Waqar expects the pitches to not be as pace-friendly as before, which may just push the visitors into playing the bowling combination they do in conditions in UAE and Pakistan.
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"We will see how the pitch behaves in the third Test between West Indies and England at Manchester but there is no doubt that the behaviour of pitches has changed in England," Waqar said during an online media interaction.
"Early to say who will play but we have got an idea after the West Indies Test matches. We are trying to prepare those players who can be effective on such pitches. We are looking at all option look at weather as well it gets hot in August and we might even have to think about playing two spinners as well," he added.
On pacers, Waqar said it's commendable how, with the evidence of the first two Tests between England and West Indies, they've been able to adjust and respond nicely to the saliva-ban.
The red dukes ball moves a lot more in general, but so far, from what is observed, fast bowlers have shortened their lengths and look for greater control around the off-stump, playing with the patience of the batsmen rather than going for an all-out attack.
"I had doubts about what will happen to bowlers not being able to use saliva because it is a habitual thing and I have been a fast bowler myself. But I think it is working quite nicely. The difference in cricket balls also matters," said Waqar.
"The Dukes ball is harder and it can be shined through sweat as well and the pitches were slow and sluggish in the West Indies tests but the ball did seam and move around and no bowler has complained as yet. It is workable. It did work. I feel it can be done."
Having recently praised India skipper Virat Kohli's fitness standards, Waqar, when asked whether anyone from the Pakistan camp matches that level, said: "Kohli is one of the top athletes but I think our boys are not far behind especially Babar Azam who is very fit and he is also delivering goods with his performances. Shaheen Shah is another one who is super fit."
"But right now (after lengthy COVID-19 break) in the training camp they are getting better and we are working hard on ensuring their fitness levels meet those standards required in world cricket," he concluded.
(Inputs from PTI)
