Pakistan must lift their performance level

Rameez Raja Photo © PCB

Having been mauled rather badly in the First Test, Waqar Younis and his charges must be going into the second encounter at Old Trafford determined to make amends, to redeem a modicum of prestige. That may actually happen if they could turn the tables on a really resurgent England and level the series.

This is early summer and conditions have been wet all along, to the extent that Old Trafford has only seen just one day's cricket altogether. That is depressing stuff if you are sitting in the Pakistan dressing room, for they are surely craving for some warm and dry weather to thrive.

Waqar Younis Photo © CricInfo

But staying positive and doing well should be high on Pakistan's agenda, regardless of the weather. They are quite capable of it, and have in the past made some magnificent comebacks. But to achieve that end, they would have to lift the level of their performances, not by just a bit but by quite a few notches. That is easier said than done, considering the difficult conditions and the fact that they are up against an opposition who are not only in familiar environs and who exploit that as much as they can, but who are also going from strength to strength.

In this there is a lesson for Pakistan who are hugely talented but, with an exception or two, as a team, are a set of under-achievers. What they really need to concentrate on is to optimise their performance to not only make it on a par with their potential but also occasionally to surpass it.

There is a huge incentive in it for all of them: the youngsters would be making the places their own if they perform under pressure, and earn favourable notices from the highly informed media into the bargain, while the seniors would be adding to their prestige if they do well in what is most likely their last big match in England. Application and concentration should be the watchwords, both for the bowlers and batsmen, and also in the field.

As I said before, lapses in concentration are going to cost them dear as this England side is an out and out professional unit and even half an opportunity is not likely to go abegging. Those who perished behind the stumps at Lord's would vouch for that, and also Wasim and Waqar as they were torn apart when they consistently bowled a short length. The two of them went for 99 and 77 runs for two wickets apiece, and, I believe, that must have shaken them enough to motivate them to do it right this time.

The two of them seemed to be making amends in decimating Leicestershire in the first innings, but then county sides, and depleted ones at that, are a very different proposition to the England outfit. That said, the Ws' performance against Leicester was more in sync with their reputations than the one at Lord's, and if they returned similar figures, Pakistan's task of bouncing back would be that much easier.

For Wasim there would be added incentive to do well; this was his second home for about ten years when he was a star performer for Lancashire. He knows the place and the people, and also the turf, like the back of his hand. And he would want the spectators to see him on song this one last time to leave an indelible impression.

Saqlain Mushtaq Photo © CricInfo

Since Lancashire have Muttiah Muralitharan as their overseas professional, the wicket should afford some turn. That should be good news for Saqlain or Mushtaq, whoever is selected as, I think, the tour selection committee is not going to repeat the mistake of playing an all-pace attack. England, for their part, too have Robert Croft in their squad.

Considering that the square and the outfield will be less green than Lord's, the ball will perhaps get scuffed up enough to produce reverse swing, which is also very welcome news for the Pakistani pacers.

Despite a hopelessly ordinary show at Lord's, bowling is not the main concern; batting is. The top of the order remains unsettled, and the management was even contemplating inserting Abdur Razzaq as an opener. That, to me, is a bit too much, for even playing him one down was unfair. This tactic could pass muster in a one-day match, where edges fetch you a run or two, and occasionally a boundary too; in a Test Match in seaming conditions, it is a negative tactic. Not only does it end up adding to the anxiety levels, but also deprives the side of an exciting all-rounder batting down the order.

Traditionally, the best player of the side plays at one down, and it should either be Inzamam or Youhana who should pick up the gauntlet and move up the order to provide solidity. This is about time that the seniors in Pakistan batting pulled their weight; it is the responsibility of the likes of Anwar, Inzamam and Youhana to deliver.

Ironically, it was left to Younis and Razzaq to show them the way; and now that they have, this experienced trio should have their own say on the proceedings. A whole lot depends on them, and if they rise to the occasion, Pakistan may make a fist of it.