Shoaib Akhtar warns Pakistan cricket team against ‘tricky’ England

Former Pakistan pace sensation and record breaking fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has once again cautioned skipper Sarfraz Ahmed’s men for tour of England and Ireland, as the speedster believes that the English conditions would prove ‘tricky’ for Pakistani batsmen.

"The English conditions will prove to be tricky for Pakistani batsmen. It takes almost 15 days for players to get accustomed to conditions of another country,” Akhtar said, while addressing the media at a National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) awareness seminar.

Earlier, Akhtar said it would be tough for the young Pakistan side on the tour more, due to seaming conditions offered. However, the team will need to step up and ‘fight.’

“The tour of England will be tough but the Test match against Ireland will be tougher as we will face a seaming track. The players will have to grab this opportunity and not say that this is a new team and we find it hard to fight etc. The attitude has to be there to stay on the crease.”

Pakistan will play against Ireland, which will be their first-ever Test against Pakistan from May 11 to May 15 in Dublin. Pakistan will then play two Tests against England at Lord’s from May 24 to May 28 and Headingley from June 1 to June 5.