As a Barmy Army member of staff who was lucky enough to go on the December 2022 tour to Pakistan, you can’t help but smile. For the small contingent of travelling fans who witnessed the first Test series England had played there in 17 years – it was just ‘one of those tours’.
Such is the relentlessness of 21st-century international cricket, the white jumpers and St George’s flags are soon to be packed for another three-Test battle back in the land of biryanis, Afridis and all-round cricketing carnage. Here is our preview:
How both teams match up
With the aforementioned lack of Test cricket being played in Pakistan, there is still an element of unknowns around conditions and how the home team perform in their backyard. England stomped to a historic 3-0 whitewash in 2022 which was rightly historic. In 22 Tests, we had only managed two victories – instantly doubled by the time Stokes and co. reached Karachi.
Since then, the hosts have struggled across all formats. Recent losses to the USA in June’s T20 World Cup and a 2-0 drubbing in Tests by the usually inferior Bangladesh have left one of the game’s powerhouses in an identity crisis. There isn’t anything more dangerous though than a Pakistan team in ruins and a point to prove.
England on the other hand will continue their self-confessed long-term Ashes prep hoping to cement further our young-blooded bowling attack. With another three-match series to follow in New Zealand, this is another golden chance for Stokes, McCullum and co. to lay a marker ahead of the big one next winter.
Ones to watch
2022 saw Ollie Robinson (not selected), Jimmy Anderson (retired) and Mark Wood (injured) star with the ball. Change has therefore been a necessity. Jack Leach returns alongside Pakistani born Rehan Ahmed and Somerset teammate Shoaib Bashir continues his rise. A combination between those three alongside the emergence of Gus Atkinson and renaissance of Olly Stone gives England a near overhaul from what Pakistan faced two years ago.
It’s almost difficult to remember Harry Brook not being an integral part of England’s batting lineup – such has been his instant shudder on run capabilities. But when he raised the bat in Rawalpindi for a scintillating 150, it was the Yorkshireman’s second ever Test innings. He will pile them on again.
Shaheen Shah Afridi has been Pakistan’s beacon of hope in recent years but is often hampered with injury. The left-arm fast bowler has returned to the squad after being dropped in the recent Bangladeshi bashing. He’s just one of those bowlers you instantly edge closer to the end of your seat/sofa when he takes his mark.
There are players that annoy you when you go on an away tour. The stubbornness of Saud Shakeel in 2022 with the bat was a Pakistani highlight in an otherwise turmoil series. The left-hander has already made three centuries at an average of 56 in his first 12 Test matches.
Barmy Army Prediction
This is England’s time again. Ben Stokes doesn’t do draws. We’ll batter them 3–0 and onwards to New Zealand.
