Saqlain: Ali’s got the talent
SAQLAIN Mushtaq believes Moeen Ali has the skills to become England’s long-term frontline spinner, with the former Pakistan bowler praising him for his performance in the first Test.
Saqlain, who has been working with the England squad in the build up to the second Test, believes Moeen has all the talent required to succeed despite many criticising the Worcestershire man for his performance at Lord’s.
Moeen was clean bowled when charging Yasir Shah as England looked to win the game, while he took only two wickets in the match.
Saqlain said: “Moeen received a lot of stick from the first Test, not just for his batting but his bowling, too. I actually think he bowled beautifully in that second innings and remember he took the key wickets of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis (Khan).
“He knows what he’s doing and does have variation. He spins the ball more than people give him credit for, and his delivery that goes straight on is very good too. He bowled very well against India a couple of years back, and that’s against a team that know how to play spin.” Saqlain Mushtaq’s exclusive column
Ihave only been in England for a couple of days but I’m really enjoying it. The weather is certainly helping but everything about working with the Three Lions is fun. It’s very professional, very well organised and the training is always specific. Sometimes you will go to places, and the practice is very general but the ECB have their set plans and know what they want to work on.
I’ve spent a lot of time with Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, but it’s not just on the field.We had a coffee together and a long chat. Coaching is all about the relationship, and trying to build that up as soon as possible. The players need to trust the coach, and vice versa, too. If there is no trust there, then it becomes very difficult to learn.
I’ve received some stick for working against my own country, but that’s not how I’ve thought about it at all.
England’s coach is Australian and you get so many coaches working for other teams. It’s not about trying to help England beat Pakistan, it’s about trying to help Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid become better players. The likelihood is that what I say to them won’t help them straightaway. They are things that they will have to keep working on and they will improve over time.
When you get the opportunity to work with this quality of player, you have to grab that chance. It’s an honour and I feel proud to have been asked. My country should be proud, too, because I wouldn’t be able to do this if I hadn’t had a successful career with Pakistan.
England go into this Test having been beaten at Lord’s.While Yasir Shah proved their downfall, Misbah-ul-Haq’s first innings century proved so vital. The lead that Pakistan got in the first innings is ultimately what won the game.
Misbah showed guts and determination to guide Pakistan to a competitive total.Yes, he got lucky with Jonny Bairstow dropping a catch, but you always need that little bit of luck, especially to win away from home.
There weren’t really any doubts about Yasir’s talent but that he has been successful in his first Test outside the Sub-continent does show that he has every skill going.
He showed his mettle and bowled very well. He didn’t actually spin the ball that much, but deceived England’s batsmen with flight and variation. That shows the true skill.
It’s always nice to win the first match of a series. Psychologically it puts a lot of pressure on the opposition, and it sets up the series nicely here. If England had won at Lord’s then it wouldn’t have surprised me if they went on to win the series comfortably but this should lead to an even more entertaining series.
Pakistan will take the momentum into today at Old Trafford. The pitch looks dry, but a lot could happen this morning before the match starts. It’s a pitch I’d like to bowl on, especially after the success I had at Old Trafford.
I claimed six wickets in the match at Old Trafford in 2001 and I always enjoyed bowling there during my county days. The pitch has been turned around now but I’d still love a bowl over the next five days.You never lose that feeling of wanting to play.
Yasir Shah is obviously in good form and he has a clear plan and strategy. He will have to bowl in slightly different areas at Old Trafford, and England will be keen to keep him quiet.
Mohammad Amir also bowled well at Lord’s, so England have to be wary. Pakistan are not just a one-pronged bowling attack.
Neither are England, but the hosts will be grateful to have James Anderson back, especially with this second Test being on his home ground.
He bowled well in Lancashire’s county match this week and I expect him to be back among the wickets this week.
We all know that Pakistan are not great against swing bowling.Whether England go with two spinners, or just one, the bowling unit will be strong. Stuart Broad is always capable of one of his magic spells, too. This Test could end up being a low-scoring affair, but it’s bound to be exciting.
Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid give England options. Moeen received a lot of stick from the first Test, not just for his batting but his bowling, too. I actually think he bowled beautifully in that second innings and remember he took the key wickets of Misbah and Younis Khan.
He knows what he’s doing and does have variation. He spins the ball more than people give him credit for, and his delivery that goes straight on is very good, too. He bowled very well against India a couple of years back, and that’s against a team that know how to play spin.
India are better against spin than Pakistan but Moeen still caused them problems. Since then, he has bowled really well and in our sessions this week he has been working really hard. He has executed his plans in the practice sessions, and I see no reason why he won’t pull them off during the match.
If England do need two spinners to play then there is no doubt that Adil and Moeen could topple the Pakistan line-up. That pair in tandem is so exciting to watch and Pakistan do still have some errors in the batting. There is more bounce in England than there is in the Sub-continent which always aids the spinner.
England will be grateful to have James Anderson back, especially with this Test being at his home ground. I expect him to be among the wickets