THE Pakistan team, with its formidable show against England in the recent Test series, has not only proved its critics wrong but has made its newly-appointed head coach Mickey Arthur eat his words about Misbah-ul-Haq’s men being only Asian tigers.

Prior to the national team’s departure for England, almost all the noted cricket experts in the country were doubting Pakistan’s ability to put up a decent show in the four-Test series and that included Arthur who in his maiden press conference in Lahore, had expressed his reservations about the team’s performance in England.

However, the high-class display by Misbah and Company against England where they handsomely drew 2-2 have silenced all their critics.

In fact, if one compares the two sides session for session, Pakistan were clearly the better team and dominated England in a majority of sessions to keep the hosts on their toes. Yes they were outplayed at the Old Trafford but the Edgbaston game was there for the taking before they wilted in the afternoon session to hand England an improbable victory.

It was without any doubt a complete team effort that saw Pakistan through with skipper Misbah, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Sami Aslam and Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali all having their moments of glory.

But if one is to pick a single innings that helped Pakistan to turn the tide and affirm their superiority, it was Younus’ stunning double hundred that he scored under pressure at The Oval. Hailed by over half a dozen experts as one of the great comeback innings of recent times, Younis knock was clearly a match-winnig one.

And his disclosure in the post-match talk about the former Indian Test captain Azharuddin guiding him astutely to overcome his chequered form yet again proved that the game of cricket transcends the boundaries and the players around the world are one big family.

However, another aspect of it is that why none of the wise ‘experts’ accompanying Younis in England including head coach Arthur, batting coach Grant Flower, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and others could come to the seasoned player’s rescue as he jumped, danced and struggled in the first three Tests of the series.

With the Test series behind them now, Pakistan team and its management get ready to face another stiff challenge as the five One-day International series against England commences next week. England have been scoring quite heavily in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand and are a formidable force in the limited over games.

As for Pakistan, there will be no Misbah or Younis in the ODIs to stem the rot and captain Azhar Ali will have to depend heavily on the experienced but out of form Mohammad Hafeez, prolific Asad Shafiq and several youngsters including Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan and Sami Aslam who are likely to form the nucleus in batting.

In the fast bowling department, Mohammad Aamir, Wahab Riaz and experienced Umar Gul will be spearheading the attack. However, doubts still exist about the complete match fitness and form of seasoned campaigner Gul who comes into the side after a long lapse. Young Hasan Ali will also be making his debut in international cricket and it remains to be seen how he fares against a tough opponent like England.

The spin attack has notable variety in Yasir Shah, Imad Wasim and emerging all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2016