Why is Pakistan cricket team so good in English conditions in Test cricket?

Unpredictable and Pakistan cricket team, these two terms can definitely work as synonyms. There was a time when Pakistan cricket team used to be a really consistent side with world-class players backing up a really strong unit. But as time progressed, Pakistan saw a great downfall in the quality of its team. The biggest reason behind it is the fact that domestic cricket is not valued enough in Pakistan and it has not given proper chances to up and coming cricketers. Over the years, Pakistan has put on performances where it completely disappointed and there were other times too when the team put on some really shocking and memorable wins, case in point, Champions Trophy 2017. 

But one thing that Pakistan has always stuck with through good, bad and indifferent times is its impressive track record in England. There have been only 2 occasions when Pakistan lost a test series to England in English conditions while they have either won or drawn in another half a dozen series. How have the Pakistan cricket team pulled it off? Here are some of the major points which will help you understand what goes in the favour of Pakistan when they tour England:- 

First test win 

Whenever a series takes place in English conditions, almost every match has a chance of seeing the result. It is because of the fact that the conditions suit bowlers more and the wickets fall at regular intervals. For a series where every match is bound to have a result, it is extremely crucial to take the lead early on in the series.

  Pakistan cricket team has been exemplary in terms of taking a good start in every tour. If you look at the stats of Pakistan in the past couple of decades in English conditions, you would know that they have drawn or won the first test far more often than their counterparts. This plays a pivotal role in building up the entire series for the unit! 

Gruelling practice sessions 

Pakistan cricket team takes the tour to England very seriously and dearly unlike most of the other cricket playing nations. English conditions are easily the most complex to deal with and England is extremely difficult to defeat at home.

 India, another subcontinent team which has always had the unit to win against England at their yard hasn't done so in last 13 years. In fact, India has won only one series in England which happened back in 2007. It has a lot to do with just a couple of practice games, which is NEVER enough. Pakistan puts on a practice session regularly for over a month before actually heading for the matches. The hard work seems to pay off more often than not too. 

Quality Pacers 

One thing that cannot be discounted from Pakistan cricket team and its history is that they have ALWAYS had the quality in their pace unlike other subcontinent teams struggling for the right kind of seamers. When you look at the Pacers in current Pakistan squad travelling England, Mohammad Abbas is the most experienced of the lot having played just 17 games.

 It still looks like a threatening pace trio with likes of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah ready to make a mark for themselves at a really young age. They are definitely going to trouble English batsmen and we have already seen hints of it in the last session of the second day of the test yesterday. 

Surprise spinning packages

England is the home for seaming and swinging conditions. It means that spinners hardly get to shine here. Unless you're legendary spinner quite like Shane Warne or Muralitharan, you don't really have a chance to survive here. But Pakistan cricket team has always put on surprising performances in its spin department which has led to great results. 

Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed put on solid performances when they toured England and Yasir Shah has been able to do the same, having taken five wickets two times under these conditions. He's one of the very few spinners from this decade to have taken a 10 wicket hall in England which is a huge huge feat. England always comes prepared for the pace department but it is the spinners of Pakistan who take away the game from the hosts. 

Will they repeat it again? 

This time around Pakistan comes with a very inexperienced unit as Azhar Ali leads the batting unit and Yasir Shah leads the bowling unit in terms of experience. The unpredictability is the USP of Pakistan cricket team and the play of first two days of test cricket has validated the point all over again.

Shan Masood is terrific as an opener followed by Azhar Ali and Babar Azam who are match-winners on their day themselves. Abbas, Afridi and Naseem are all going to be seriously dangerous. But the other players surrounding them have to play their parts to perfection in order to get the job done.

Will they be able to win or draw another series in England? Will England be finally able to walk through their demons against Pakistan in their home conditions? Comment below your opinions!