‘We don’t overlook Pakistan’s class batting line-up’- Zak Crawley on England’s mindset heading into Test series

Before the three-match Test series, Zak Crawley declared that England will not undervalue Pakistan’s “class” batting lineup. At the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan, the first Test match begins on Monday, October 7.

Crawley injured his finger during the previous series against the West Indies, hence he was unable to play in the Test match between England and Sri Lanka. The right-hander returned in time for the high-stakes series against Pakistan, and he and Ben Duckett will be crucial players for the Three Lions at the top of the order.

The team headed by Shan Masood Pakistan lost the just finished Test series against Bangladesh 0–2 at home, a humiliating result. But according to Crawley, England isn’t taking Shan Masood’s team lightly as they attempt to duplicate their 2022 feat of sweeping Pakistan in a three-match series.

Being a batter myself, I am aware that while form changes, class never does. Pakistan’s batting lineup is a world-class lineup. We don’t think less of them. There are individuals in there with the ability to take you out of the game. Therefore, we will do every effort to eliminate them and win the series,” Crawley stated during a press conference.

Babar Azam is never, in my opinion, out of style: Zak Crawley

Babar Azam, the renowned batsman from Pakistan, has come under scrutiny following his meagre 64 run total in four innings against Bangladesh. Crawley, nevertheless, praised the former Pakistani captain’s batting ability and stated that his bowlers would need to put in a lot of effort to remove him.

“I never thought Babar Azam was finished. He is a fluid guitarist with a lovely style of playing. He’s a class act, and we need to work extra hard to free him,” he said.

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Crawley did rather well in England’s final Test series in Pakistan in 2022, scoring a top score of 122 and amassing 235 runs at an average of 39.16 and strike-rate of 91.79. In the forthcoming series against the Asian heavyweights, the 26-year-old would want to put up a strong performance.