Why Australia are No. 1 and Pakistan are No. 9

Numbers Game: The difference between their bowling attacks is a big reason as to why the two teams are on opposite ends of the ODI rankings table

The particular pleasures of a 2-2 series

Aka the Desmond: always leaving you asking for more. By Liam Cromar

England's limitless future

Mark Nicholas: In ODIs they have a line-up packed with power hitters down to the lower order. The 444 was not as much of a surprise as it might at first seem

Intikhab Alam, 57 not out

Tim Wigmore: For close to six decades, in various roles, he has been around for some of Pakistan cricket's most iconic moments

Misbah's finest hour?

Switch Hit: Discussing the drawn series between England and Pakistan

How big an achievement is this for Pakistan?

#PoliteEnquiries: Kimber and Dobell on Misbah v McCullum, and 2005 v 2016

The forgotten invincibles

In the summer of 1992, England hosted one of the greatest touring sides the country has seen | The Cricket Monthly August issue

Schoolboy Imran

How Imran Khan the student became Imran Khan the world-class bowler. By Francis Kelly | The Cricket Monthly August issue

Why cricket's national stereotypes are outdated

Ed Smith: We often tend to overstate certain characteristics of teams as permanent qualities, but a team's identity is constantly in flux

Is Vince the new Ramps?

#PoliteEnquiries: Kimber and Dobell on who is a bigger problem: James Vince or Mohammad Amir?

Tough questions spurred Root to new heights

A few home truths from Mark Ramprakash helped inspire the batsman to his career-best 254 at Old Trafford

Pakistani summers

Peter Oborne recalls England-Pakistan series from the past | The Cricket Monthly July issue

'I want to do things very simply and quietly'

Asad Shafiq is a vital cog at No. 6 for Pakistan but he isn't interested in the limelight. He just wants to improve

Time up for Vince?

#politeenquiries: Your questions answered on Cook's "badly misjudged declaration", Shan Masood, and more

'I play every match like it's my last'

Yasir Shah relives his success at Lord's and talks about what it's like to be acclaimed as the world's best spinner

The Misbah phenomenon

Numbers Game: Misbah-ul-Haq has been on an amazing run in Tests over the last six years, and his stats at No. 5 are getting better with every game

The unique phenomenon that is Pakistan cricket

Andy Zaltzman: Their openers aren't reliable, their tail is weak, and their fielding isn't impressive. Does that stop them from winning Tests spectacularly? Of course not

Keep calm. Misbah is here

Jarrod Kimber: Pakistan's thrilling triumph at Lord's was underscored by their captain's serenity

What is Younis Khan doing?

Polite Enquiries: Was that Courtney Walsh dressed up as Younis?

The redemption of Mohammad Amir

Mark Nicholas: The bowler finally drew a line under his Lord's story

Pace is pace

From Fazal to Amir - Pakistan's top fast bowlers in England, in pictures | The Cricket Monthly July issue

Shan Masood returns to familiar surroundings

Few of the players involved in the opening Test will know the surroundings of St John's Wood quite as well as him

Amir and Yasir v the world

Two Men Out: Zaltzman and Kimber on the match-ups to look forward to at Lord's

Should cricket have been ruthless with Amir?

Rob Steen: Perhaps the authorities should have made an example of him, but the game has always stood for second chances

'Players involved in corrupt practices should be banned for life'

Ian Chappell thinks cricket has been way too soft on Mohammad Amir and other players involved in fixing

Stokistan

A short history of the incandescent Pakistani presence in the north Staffordshire leagues. By Scott Oliver | The Cricket Monthly July issue

What sport means to us

Ed Smith: When you go to watch a Test, you participate in a ritual that is a part of civilised existence

Lack of overseas tours could hurt Pakistan

Numbers Game: The upcoming series in England will be a challenge since only two of their batsmen have played more than one Test innings in the country before

The wager

Cartoon: Mohammad Amir's odds in England | The Cricket Monthly July issue

Yasir and Sarfraz: can we hear an ai hai hai?

The pairing of legspinner and keeper is unlike any other in cricket. By Osman Samiuddin

All hail England's legspin torchbearer

Mark Nicholas: Adil Rashid's debut performance has the potential to give the form the respect it deserves in the country

Failure to pluck victory from the duodenum of a draw

Andy Zaltzman: England showed fortitude in Abu Dhabi, first in not losing, then in coming within hailing distance of winning

Pace, spin and controversy

We look back at six encounters between Pakistan and England that became iconic (sometimes for the wrong reasons)