‘Fearless’ Pakistan ready to put England under pressure

Bess to make Test debut

ONDON, May 23, (AFP): Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur believes his “fearless” side have everything to gain when they face an “under the pump” England in the first Test at Lord’s on Thursday.

England will be looking for some much-needed home comfort after recent winless Test tours of Australia and New Zealand extended their poor away record in cricket’s longest format to 13 matches without a victory.

Pakistan, by contrast, enter this two-match campaign on the back of a morale-boosting five-wicket win over Test debutants Ireland at Malahide last week.

England, in their first Test since Ed Smith became their new head selector, continue to have doubts over a batting order where captain Joe Root has been promoted to number three, wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow to five and Jos Buttler recalled at seven.And with Jack Leach injured, England could give a Test debut to his fellow Somerset spinner Dominic Bess. Two years ago, England were held to a 2-2 home draw by Pakistan in a fourTest series.

Since then veteran batsmen Misbahul-Haq and Younis Khan have both retired, with Pakistan hoping the likes of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq can fill the void.

Meanwhile, Somerset off-spinner Dominic Bess will make his England debut in the first Test against Pakistan on Thursday, captain Joe Root has confirmed.

Bess was included after county colleague Jack Leach was forced to withdraw with injury.

Bess