Zak Crawley attends a observe session on the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on October 4, 2024. —AFP Zak Crawley says trying ahead to problem.England touched down this week in Multan.”I think we will put pressure on the opponents.”
MULTAN: Opener Zak Crawley mentioned on Friday that England’s younger tempo assault will face a “test of character” of their upcoming Take a look at sequence in Pakistan the place a pitch baked by searing temperatures and surging smog ranges await.
The workforce touched down this week within the central metropolis of Multan, which can host the primary two of a three-match Take a look at sequence beginning on Monday.
With coaching underway, temperatures are 37°C (99°F) and air air pollution is as much as 27 instances the extent deemed secure by the World Well being Organisation, in line with monitoring agency IQAir.
“It will be challenging, but we have got all the things in place to counter that,” mentioned Crawley, returning to the squad after lacking a house sequence towards Sri Lanka with a fractured finger.
“We are looking forward to that challenge,” the 26-year-old instructed reporters in Multan. “We have been talking about it for the last couple of weeks.”
He predicted England’s quintet of tempo bowlers — on their maiden excursions of Pakistan — would notably face a “test of character and test of skill”.
With skilled tempo duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad now retired, the baton of tempo bowling is with Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone and Chris Woakes.
“These young guys have got a lot of skill,” mentioned Crawley. “Being young brings in energy and fire in the belly as well, and I am sure they will be raring to go and do well.”
Pakistan’s worldwide cricket efficiency is in dire straits, and the red-ball workforce has misplaced all 5 matches throughout the tenure of skipper Shan Masood which started final 12 months.
Final month they suffered a humiliating first-ever 2-0 house sequence defeat to low-ranked Bangladesh.
Crawley is without doubt one of the eight gamers on England’s Take a look at squad who additionally performed within the workforce beating Pakistan 3-0 in 2022, inflicting on them their first whitewash at house.
“I think we will put pressure on the opponents, like the last time,” mentioned Crawley, citing England’s aggressive “Bazball” techniques, dubbed after the nickname of head coach Brendon McCullum.
“The finger is good and I have recovered well,” Crawley mentioned about his restoration from damage. “I am absolutely raring to go. I can’t wait.”
The second Take a look at begins in Multan on October 15 with the ultimate match performed in Rawalpindi from October 24.
