As Pakistan take on England at the hallowed turf at Lord’s in the first Test match, one is reminded of the game’s history and the encounters here between the two which are full of interesting deeds involving both the hosts players as well those of Pakistan.

Right from the wettest summer of 1954 when Pakistan, led by Abdul Hafeez Kardar, stepped out for their first Test here on the English soil, they have remained the team to watch.

The Oval’s victory by Pakistan was their first against England in England on that 1954 tour and launched the country into the international arena as Fazal Mahmood ripped through the hosts’ formidable batting comprising Len Hutton, Colin Cowdrey, Tom Graveney and others.

Pakistan from then on have had their ups and downs while playing in the English conditions.

The 1962 tour and the 1978 one sans the Kerry Packer players were absolute disasters while the 1967 team led by the great Hanif Mohammad also did not have much to offer except that unbeaten 187 by the ‘Little Master’ himself and a world record ninth-wicket stand of 190 between the current team manager Intikhab Alam and Asif Iqbal who scored a scintillating hundred (146).

Triumphs and tribulations since have been in the makeup of every Pakistan team visiting here.

Pakistan’s first victory at Lord’s in 1982 under Imran Khan when Mohsin Khan, a stylish opener, scored a double century at the prestigious venue and Mudassar Nazar surprised all with his six wickets haul to be branded as the man with ‘the golden arm.’

Pakistan’s first win in a series here in 1987 under the same charismatic captain was as much a cherished occasion as Pakistan’s outing here in 1992 when the tourists beat England hollow with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis bowling the daylights out of the English batsmen.

The legacy continued even on later tours till we entered a new century and a new era.

The forfeited Test at The Oval in 2006 when Iinzamam-ul-Haq disgraced the game by refusing to take the field in protest of allegations of ball tampering, was a match which Pakistan could have easily won but did not.

And then that awful day of the Lord’s Test in 2010 when Mohammad Amir bowled big no balls in temptation for money and was subsequently banned for five years to serve time in prison with his two other colleagues — captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif — for bringing the game into disrepute.

The Test match starting today is in focus due to that incident as Amir returns to Test cricket, having last played here for his country.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on with it. His presence in the team will no doubt draw a mixed response.

Some may be forgiving in the crowd while some will surely remind him of his insulting behaviour to tarnish the game.

“He is going to be a challenge for our frontline batsmen because I reckon Amir is a fine bowler,” admitted Alastair Cook the England captain.

“I feel that both England and Pakistan pose a threat to each other considering the quality of their bowling.”

England without injured James Anderson are restricted.

Their debutant form Nottinghamshire, the replacement fast bowler Jake Ball is expected to perform well at Lord’s after doing well in the county games, believes Cook.

Batting of both the teams, England and Pakistan, remain suspect to me.

However, I feel that Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali with their fine techniques can be impressive once they settle down.

And, of course, the openers need to give Pakistan a head start. Will Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood be able to deliver here remains to be seen.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2016