Pakistan in bowling quandary

PAKISTAN head into their series finale against England at The Oval wondering if an extra bowler can help them square the four-match series at 2-2.

After losing the first test at Lord’s by 75 runs, England have bounced back with victories by 330 runs and 141 runs at Old Trafford and Edgbaston respectively.

A recurring scene throughout the series has been the sight of Pakistan’s four-man attack tiring badly during prolonged spells in the field.

The tourists lack an all-rounder of the calibre of England rising star Chris Woakes, with out-of-form opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez, who made two and nought at Edgbaston, still barred from bowling his off-spinners because of an illegal action.

Pakistan need to take 20 wickets at The Oval, where the fourth test starts today, if they are to level.

They did not manage it at Edgbaston last week, where England declared their second innings on 445 for six.

At Edgbaston, Pakistan replaced struggling opener Shan Masood with Sami Aslam and saw the 20-year-old left-hander make impressive scores of 82 and 70.

Now they could give a test debut to Iftikhar Ahmed, a top-order batsman who also bowls off-spin.

“England have a lot of left handers so he does give us an option as a fifth bowler if he comes in,” Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said at The Oval on Tuesday. – AFP