ISLAMABAD: British cricket commentator and former England captain Nasser Hussain has urged England to focus on trying to sweep Pakistan 3-0 in Karachi rather than pick a side with next summer’s Ashes in mind.
England completed a series victory over Pakistan by winning the second Test in Multan on Monday, a week after triumphing in the series opener in Rawalpindi.
The tourists could potentially hand a debut to 18-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed in the final fixture – if they did, he would become their youngest men’s Test cricketer of all time.
The Karachi Test starts on Saturday – with England looking for a ninth win in 10 matches since Ben Stokes became captain and Brendon McCullum head coach.
“I don’t think England will take a backward step, I don’t see Stokes or McCullum saying, ‘we are 2-0 up, we will give people a chance’. I hate hearing that. If you play for England, you deserve that cap, not so they can have a look at you,” Hussain, was quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.
“You have to remember where England were six months ago with one win in 17 Tests and how they have turned it around. Have that same attitude. Don’t think of The Ashes, don’t think about New Zealand, who they have next in February.
“A 3-0 win in Pakistan would be the best Christmas present for England fans so win this one game and round off an absolutely brilliant six or seven months for English cricket, including the T20 World Cup win.”
“England may want to get Ben Foakes back in as he is an exceptional wicketkeeper – and how is Mark Wood’s body? He looked absolutely exhausted, physically and mentally, at the end of the last Test match and you want to look after a racehorse like him. But if he is fit and raring to go, you give him another game.
“Then there is Ahmed. I think England think it is going to spin in Karachi so they may play the extra spinner – but whatever side they pick must be one they think can beat Pakistan, not a side with one eye on the future or ‘let’s have a look at him’.
“Pick a side that wins 3-0, which would be a magnificent performance on these pitches away from home in alien conditions.”
On Stokes and McCullum reviving England’s Test fortunes, Hussain added: “It is a remarkable transformation, one of the great transformations not just in cricket but in sport in general.
“From where the England cricket team were when Rob Key took over [as managing director of men’s cricket] for it to turnaround has been a fabulous performance. Not just the winning but the style. Stokes and his men have made it very exciting cricket.
“I think we knew what we were going to get with Stokes. He is tough character and at his best when England are in difficult positions.
“But I have been really impressed with the tactical side, the subtle decisions on field placings, when to take the new ball and when not to.
“Holding back Jimmy Anderson, the greatest new-ball bowler England have ever had and not giving him the new ball. Not giving Ollie Robinson the new ball but giving it to the spinners.
“He has not surprised me tactically because anyone who has played the innings, he has must know the game, but he has surprised everyone with how many times he gets his tactical decisions right.”
