4 Pakistani Cricketers Who Need To Perform In England To Keep Their Place

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Babar Azam and Rahat Ali Pakistani Cricketers
Source: News Media Live

The series between England and Pakistan is important to the green caps for a number of reasons.

They are desperate for a good start to the season to build a momentum that allows them confidence when they meet other reputable Test sides like South Africa, Australia and New Zealand later this year.

However, more importantly since the men in green are in the middle of a re-building process they are looking to settle a combination that can serve the purpose for a long period of time.

There are definitely a few vacant positions that need to be filled and hence, there is no doubt that some of the members from the squad are under immense pressure to keep their place.

Read: 5 Things We Have Learnt From Pakistan’s Warm Up Games In England!

So, here is a look at 4 Pakistani cricketers who are likely to play in the final eleven but who also need to perform to ensure that they are not axed for the next Test series.

Imam-ul-Haq
Imam-ul-Haq
Image Source: Twitter

Preferred over Fawad Alam, (as many believe) for being the nephew of the Pakistani Chief Selector, Imam-ul-Haq without a shadow of doubt is under tremendous pressure to justify his position.

Read: 3 Reasons Why Pakistan Needs To Play Faheem Ashraf In Ireland And England

The left-handed opening batsman thus, has no other choice but to perform or else the entire selection committee is likely to succumb to media and public pressure and discard him whenever they announce a Test squad next.

Rahat Ali
Rahat Ali
Image Source: Pakistan Super League

Making a comeback, Rahat has performed well in the warm-ups. Still, the left-arm pacer must keep up the good work or else the ongoing series might be the last time we see him in action during an international game.

Babar Azam
Babar Azam
Image Source: Karachi Kings’ Facebook Page

Despite being Pakistan’s number one batsman in the shorter formats, Babar is yet to come up with a note-worthy performance in Test matches. He has had his fair share of opportunities and therefore, another failed campaign will leave the selectors with no other choice but to employ someone else in the middle-order to strengthen a vulnerable batting line.

Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Amir
Source: Business Recorder

Amir has not performed well in the longer version of the game ever since his comeback from the spot-fixing ban. He has also expressed the desire to play limited number of Tests to avoid injuries and hence, enhance his career.

Read: 3 Reasons Why Pakistan Is Not Off To A Good Start In England!

Yet another bad series and that too in conditions that are conducive to pace bowling will certainly deprive the left-arm pacer of the luxury of choosing games at his own will and is likely to result in him being dropped for the next Test series. Amir needs to up his game to stay on the squad.