Pakistan’s Masood alerts England still a pressure without Stokes

Pakistan captain Shan Masood advised on the eve of Monday’s initially Test in Multan that his side would certainly still be encountering an awesome England, regardless of the lack of their captain Ben Stokes.

Ollie Pope will certainly once again lead England after deputising effectively in the current 2-1 collection gain Sri Lanka as Stokes, 33, was eliminated as he recuperates from a hamstring injury.

“We all know the quality of Ben Stokes,” stated Masood on Sunday in advance of the beginning of the 3-Test collection. “He is one of the top all-rounders of the world.”

“England’s strength will not lessen with one individual (missing),” he advised. “They are still very competitive.

“If you check out their having fun eleven after that it’s really well balanced with all-rounders, and they have 2 rewriters and 3 rapid bowlers with deep batting, so their loss is that of a person.”

Stokes led England to an emphatic 3-0 Test series victory on England’s last tour in 2022, the first time Pakistan had been swept at home.

England return with Pakistan on a painful losing streak — winless in their last 10 home Tests and suffering a humiliating 2-0 home defeat to Bangladesh last month.

“They’ve certainly not had their best run just recently, however we still see them as a very knowledgeable side,” said Pope. “They are a group we do not ignore.”

Pakistan named their team with a bowling attack of two fast bowlers in Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, medium-pacer Aamer Jamal and frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed.

An impressive Jamal took 18 wickets against Australia in three Tests in his debut series earlier this year, but missed the Bangladesh series with a back problem. He also contributed 143 runs.

“With Jamal we obtain a side in the joint division,” said Masood.

With James Anderson and Stuart Broad retired, Mark Wood injured and Ollie Robinson not selected, none of England’s pace bowlers from the 2022 series remain.

But Masood cited Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse as threats.

“You can not under-estimate anybody and require to be extra mindful versus any type of unidentified gamer,” stated Masood.

The 2nd suit is likewise in Multan, from October 15, with the last Test in Rawalpindi start October 24.

Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad

England: Ollie Pope (captain), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes

sh/jts/dh