LAHORE: Former Pakistan Test cricketers Intikhab Alam and Mudassar Nazar believe the national side will have to execute the basics well when they visit Ireland and England for a total of three Test matches next month.

Pakistan play Ireland in one Test and England in the other two across May and June, which is the opening part of the British cricketing season and brings with it tough conditions for the touring side.

“The bowling line-up looks good but the pacers should bowl the right line and length and will require reliable support from the fielders to take important catches,” said Intikhab while taking reporters at the Model Town ground here on Thursday.

The former chief selector said the current selection committee did not need to pick four openers for the tour and that one of them will not even get a chance to feature.

However, Intikhab believed the young Pakistan squad will have a great chance to prove their mettle by putting up solid performances in the challenging tour.

Meanwhile, Mudassar also rated Pakistan’s bowling attack as strong but urged the batsmen had to score if Pakistan want to win matches.

“The bowling of Pakistan is looking strong but it will be a difficult tour as it is a young side, and especially our batsmen have to score,” Mudassar said.

Mudassar said though it was a young side, it was a far better one than which had toured England in 1978.

Mudassar said conditions were tough in the month of May both in Ireland and England and the pitches would support seamers.

“Even in the months of June and July, the seamers are dangerous in English conditions and our batsmen have to bat very carefully,” said the former all-rounder.

“The spinners will not have an important role.”

Mudassar warned only conventional bowling will help during the tour and that there would be no reverse swing and slip fielders will have to keep their concentration cent per cent. He said after the retirement of Youis Khan, a strong slip fielder would also be the need of the team.

Mudassar said the Pakistan batsmen would face more pressure and both the seniors and youngsters have to work hard for success. He said the youngsters could cement their places by producing good performances on the tough tour.

Pakistan face Ireland in the latter’s debut Test match in Dublin on May 11 before taking on England on May 24 and June 1 at Lord’s and Headingly respectively. The national side will also play tour matches against Kent and Northamptonshire.

Pakistan’s training camp for the tour also kicked off at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. The team will depart on April 23.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2018