WHEN the Pakistan cricket team takes the field against England for the first of three Test matches at Old Trafford in Manchester on Aug 5, they will be up against a most unique challenge at a pivotal point in time where the game will have to adapt to changing conditions once again. Cricket, like all else, has been affected by the coronavirus, and Pakistan, like host England as well as the West Indies, will be compelled to make alterations in the ongoing series, which promises to be an exciting one. Of course, playing in empty stadiums is painful enough for the cricketers who thrive on loud cheers and thunderous applause from packed crowds. Coupled with that, there is now a ban on players using saliva on the ball to shine it, a practice as old as the game itself. Besides, the teams have to quarantine themselves for a fortnight before the matches, and are housed in hotels inside the grounds with restrictions on their movements. Regular medications, too, are mandatory for the players for as long as the tour lasts. In a nutshell, Pakistan will be tackling two fronts simultaneously; a formidable England side and new environmental norms.

Perhaps Pakistan should take heart from the fact that they are a young, enthusiastic side, and have prepared well for the stiff challenge ahead. Since arriving in England about a month in advance to observe Covid-19 precautions, the Pakistan players are by now well acclimatised and have had competitive workouts in the nets as well as in the intra-squad practice games. Pakistan players have plenty to learn from the way the West Indies have fared in their series against England. Winning the first Test quite handsomely, the West Indies have been unable to sustain their act while England have quickly found their feet to turn the tables on them. The Pakistan team need to guard against complacency and select their best-playing, fittest 11 in every game to keep their impressive record against England intact.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2020