There will be a lot at stake here in the decisive third and final Test starting today at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan already having won the cliff-hanger at Dubai would be looking forward to strike yet another blow to win the series convincingly. For them even a draw could be a preferred result if not a victory.

The focus undeniably is to assert their authority and keep the pressure on to achieve the desired result against Team England which admittedly do consider Misbah-ul-Haq’s men a force to be reckoned with.

For both Pakistan and England this final meeting of the ongoing series would no doubt matter a lot. Pakistan psychologically stand convinced that if they apply their resources of pace and spin with as much conviction as they did in their whitewash series against England a couple of years ago, their task even this time will not be daunting to say the least.

To beat an Ashes winning team could be more than morale-boosting and that is what they are aiming at and that is exactly their supporters would love to see before Pakistan embarks on their England tour next summer.

The threat of Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz, now bowling at full pace and with lot more intelligence and application does indeed pose worry for the English batsmen who are still struggling with their front-line batting and have a rather fragile and an unpredictable tail. Alastair Cook and a determined Yorkshire talent Joe Root obviously are exceptions.

Like Wahab, Yasir Shah is as much a sleep-losing proposition for England. Cook’s men know well by now that to handle him on even a slightly helpful wicket would need more than patience and skill and the ability to read him in the air or off the pitch.

When a master spinner like Shane Warne stamps his quality and shows faith in Yasir’s ability, then no other certificate is required.

It is a pity though that Imran Khan received an injury while practicing in the nets on Friday. His presence in last two Test matches was more than handy because of his line and length which no doubt causes lot of pressure on the batsmen.

Rahat Ali, like Imran, has also improved and looks good to partner Wahab in Sharjah. Pakistan also need to beef up their batting by bringing in Azhar Ali who can also open the batting and has the right technique to handle the new ball.

The ravenous appetite of both the leading batsmen of Pakistan, Misbah and Younis Khan, has kept them in good stead and both appear keen as ever to perform well and then continue from here onwards to England next summer. I think we should forget talking about their retirement in near future because both also are the fittest guys in the team.

Cook also knows that to square the series, he too should enter the arena with few changes that appear to be necessary to stabilize his team even further. I suppose their experiment with Moeen Ali opening the batting has kind of backfired and Cook will need to put him late in the order to cement the tail.

Ian Bell is not the same as he was years ago and seem to be struggling as he did during the last Ashes series in England which Cook won without much fuss. Their wicketkeeper Jos Butler is as much a disappointment none the less.

However, England despite their weaknesses should never be taken with any complacency. Pakistan captain Misbah is well aware of that and will be looking to keep the pressure on at Sharjah.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2015

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