Former Pakistan batsman Muhammad Yousuf said that the national team’s batsmen will be put to test in the upcoming tour of England in July since they have gotten used to playing on friendly conditions in UAE over the past few years, reported on Sunday.
The 41-year-old said that Pakistani players have gotten accustomed to playing on friendly conditions and it is important they don’t capitulate like Sri Lanka in England.
“What worries me is that Pakistan’s Test cricket has mainly been restricted to the UAE for the last few years and in England they have a lot at stake to guard their excellent Test record,” he said.
“It is going to be a tough tour for us and our first priority should be to ensure we don’t fold up like Sri Lanka has done in England,” he added.
However, Yousuf said that Pakistan have an advantage over Sri Lanka, since the side are equipped with more experienced batsmen and more potent bowlers than the island nation.
“I think Pakistan should do better than Sri Lanka because Younus, Misbah, Azhar and Asad Shafiq all have plenty of experience,” he said.
“But, the key will be how quickly they adjust to the English conditions,” he added.
Yousuf further said that he was disappointed that new head coach Mickey Arthur had failed to join the team so close to the national side’s departure for England.
“The team is due to leave for England in a few days and the new coach is yet to join the players,” he said.
“I don’t think this is ideal preparation for such a big series,” he added.
In the latest Test rankings issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan are placed third behind Australia and India after a series of convincing performances in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
