New Delhi: Star England batter Joe Root is all set for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan which is going to be a three-match affair starting on October 7. The first Test will be played in Multan, where both the teams are currently practicing. With hindsight, England are the clear heavyweights but Root feels that taking on Pakistan will be challenging in their backyard, despite England’s thumping series victory on the last tour in 2022.
In the 2022 winter Test series, England swept away Pakistan 3-0 in a ruthless manner, displaying their new “Bazball” approach and boring ripened fruits. Root was of the opinion that their series win two years back would help the Three Lions formulate their plans for the upcoming series but insisted that the visitors will have to be at their best while taking on the home side.
“Yes, that series has helped us prepare for the coming matches and we have a plan on how to play here. But this is a new series and we have to play well again to win again in Pakistan,” Root spoke in a media conference on Saturday.
“We learnt a few things from that series, but Pakistan at home is a challenge. Pakistan can definitely take advantage of their home conditions and we also have a couple of new young players eager to establish themselves. It should be an interesting series,” he said. Root is in some form this year as he is leading the chart with 986 runs in a total of 11 Tests played so far.
Eyeing records
If being on a roll against Pakistan, Root could make several records belonging to his credit. Root is set to become the first batter to amass 5000 runs in World Test Championship matches while he requires just 71 runs to overtake Alastair Cook as the highest run-getter for England in Tests. As a fielder, he needs just 10 catches to go past Rahul Dravid’s record of 210 catches in Test history.
He meanwhile didn’t look much into the 0-2 drubbing of Pakistan at the hands of Bangladesh saying, “There is no doubt (that) they have always had a couple of good skilled players and we need to be just focussed on what we are doing right.”
(With PTI inputs)
Joe Root will be eyeing to break several records in the upcoming three-match Test series between England and Pakistan, before which, he has sent a warning to the visitors. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
