BBC SPORT | ENGLAND V PAKISTAN | Short of time in the middle

Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal gives BBC Sport Online his insight on the first Test between Pakistan and England at Lord's starting on Thursday.

Pakistan's batsmen have been denied time in the middle which could be a concern heading into the first Test.

Unfortunately, the last tour game at Canterbury had the final day rained out, but I was surprised that Pakistan opted to field on a good batting wicket when their batsmen needed practice.

And then when they did bat, they declared at 300-odd for one, which did not allow those who needed time at the wicket - Inzamam, Youhana and Abdur Razzaq that opportunity.

It is not the fact that they've failed on tour that is a concern, because they've all got proven class, but that they haven't acclimatised to the conditions over here.

Rain ruined Pakistan's final warm-up game
And that is especially important when playing in May when the ball wobbles quite a lot.

I'm sure the management would have liked to see not just Inzamam and Youhana, but others as well spend more time in the middle.

Because some of the batsmen have not found their form, they may be thinking of going into the Test match with an extra batsman.

They could look at including Faisal Iqbal in the team after his good performances so far.

The selectors may look at going into the Test with Waqar, Wasim and Sami as specialist fast bowlers with Saqlain offering spin and Rashid Latif the wicket-keeper.

Razzaq is good enough to play as a batsman, and depending on the conditions they may go into the Test without a spinner, but I'd be amazed if they do.

The selection panel will have a few headaches before the side is named and it will be very interesting what option they go for.

Waqar appears to have that calmness under pressure that captains need

Asif Iqbal

I don't think Shoaib Akhtar will come into consideration. After seeing his remodelled action I don't think he's even in the equation. He hasn't played for a long time and has only just got back into the team.

I will be very surprised if Shoaib is considered for the first Test.

The toss will be important, but quite a bit depends on what the conditions are like.

If it is bright and sunny the team winning the toss will want to bat, but if it is a little bit cloudy and murky then the side wining the toss will want to put the opposition in.

I've been impressed with Waqar's leadership and he appears to have that calmness under pressure that captains need.

Shoaib Akhtar is likely to miss out
He is handling of the team well and the team is rallying around him in the dressing room.

A lot of credit must go to the management - the coach, the manager and the captain because they look to be one of the best man-managed Pakistan teams I have come across.

If the team is happy obviously they are going to perform well.

I think this team, even though a lot has been written before they arrived and they have yet to perform as well as they can to date, I'm quite confident they won't be pushovers.

Asif Iqbal will be offering his views to BBC Sport Online during the Test series against England.


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