Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey

ENG vs PAK 1st Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | ENG vs PAK 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs Pakistan 1st Test Dream11 | ENG vs PAK 1st Test Key Players | Old Trafford Pitch Report

After the glorious return of international cricket just under a month ago, the action continues as a very interesting and unpredictable Test series is about to get underway.

Pakistan have had some journey to get to this point. Positive COVID-19 cases, testing and extended quarantine/preparation has made the lead up a challenging one. Now, they can look forward to finally getting on the field, and build on the success they have had in England since 2010. However, their success has been in London, so can they replicate that at Old Trafford, against a side who already have three Tests under their belt this season?

That factor as well as home ground advantage makes England favourites. After a poor opening Test against West Indies, the return of Stuart Broad, class of Ben Stokes and doggedness of the England openers saw them roar back in the series. However, while they have good things going for them, they must be on high alert against a Pakistan side that can produce magnificent cricket on their day.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Pakistan’s batsmen found the going tough in their most recent practice match last month. Shan Masood (49) and Fawad Alam (43) top scored in the match.
• What a huge series this is for Babar Azam. There is currently a “big four”, but if Babar can deliver here, it’s time to name it the “big five”.
• Babar has been superb since the beginning of 2018 (1,375 runs, avg. 65.48). Also, Babar was strong in South Africa (202 runs, avg. 36.83) and Australia (210 runs, avg. 52.50).
• Dominic Sibley and Rory Burns: the second coming of Cook and Strauss? Perhaps too early to tell, but they were solid in the recent Test series vs West Indies (Sibley 226 runs avg. 45.20. Burns 234 avg. 46.80).
• Of course, it is a must to mention Ben Stokes. He was superb with both and ball in the recent series vs West Indies (363 runs, 9 wickets). Also, Stokes has been immense since the start of 2019. In this period, he has scored 1,453 runs at 51.89 and taken 39 wickets at 28.85. He may not bowl too much, but he is still key.
• Of course, the key question is whether Stokes can improve on his batting average of 18.78 in five Tests vs Pakistan.
• Will this be a big series for Joe Root? He enjoys playing Pakistan: 9 Tests, 916 runs, avg. 61.06. Also, Root has a strong Test record at Old Trafford: 7 Tests, 725 runs, avg. 72.50.
• It is also a big series for Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, who has been under par in the past few years. He did enjoy a solid series in England in 2016 (295 runs, avg. 42.14). Haris Sohail was Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in their last Test series in England, in 2018 (114 runs, avg. 38.00).
• Ollie Pope is coming off an excellent 91 vs West Indies.
• Mohammad Abbas, one of the world’s underrated Test bowlers, has a big role to play. He was superb in England in 2018, as conditions suit him: 2 Tests, 10 wickets, avg. 14.80.
• Stuart Broad. Need we say more? He went past 500 Test wickets and completely dominated the last two Tests vs West Indies, after being left out.
• Broad and Anderson perform superbly vs Pakistan. Anderson has 63 wickets in 15 Tests vs Pakistan 18.58. Broad has 54 wickets in 16 Tests at 24.00.
• Can youngsters Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi deliver the goods for Pakistan throughout the series? Sohail Khan will be keen for a run, after performing well in the recent tour game (5/39).
• Yasir Shah believes the pitches will turn. And the tracks have had some turn so far this season. Also, Yasir could contribute with the bat – he scored a century in Australia late last year.
• Chris Woakes is superb at home (81 career wickets, avg. 22.53). So too Jofra Archer (26 wickets, 24.92).

Stats and Facts

• Old Trafford is usually a good ground for batting first. The average first innings score in the last six Tests is 416.
• Pakistan have performed well in Tests in England since 2010. They drew 2-2 in 2016 and 1-1 in 2018.
• However, all their victories have been in London (Lord’s and The Oval). They lost by 330 runs in Manchester in 2016.
• Pakistan have won their past two Tests, beating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at home earlier in 2020.
• England have a superb record at Old Trafford in Manchester, winning 11 of their past 15 Tests there since 2000.

Possible Playing 11

England have named an unchanged 14-man squad. But, Dom Bess did not bowl a single over in England’s last Test. So, could they leave him out and play the extra batsman in Zak Crawley?

England possible XI: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Dominic Sibley, 3. Zak Crawley, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Ollie Pope, 7. Jos Buttler (wk), 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Stuart Broad, 11. James Anderson

It will be interesting to see the make up of Pakistan’s bowling attack. Do they play both their exciting youngsters straight away? There is a good chance that Pakistan will pick two spinners as the surface is expected to be dry.

Pakistan possible XI: 1. Shan Masood, 2. Abid Ali, 3. Azhar Ali (c), 4. Babar Azam, 5. Asad Shafiq, 6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Yasir Shah, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10. Naseem Shah, 11. Mohammad Abbas

Old Trafford Pitch Report and Conditions

Old Trafford provided assistance to the bowlers in both Tests against West Indies. However, runs were on offer for those who showed patience and determination. It will be interesting to see what decision the winning captain makes at the toss, after West Indies bowled first twice with no success. A dry pitch is expected.

The weather forecast is pretty good for the match, except for a possible morning shower on the first day.

Dream11 Prediction

Looking for further fantasy cricket tips for this match? Check out CricBlog’s dedicated article here.

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

Pakistan certainly have the ability to cause England an issue or two. However, England, with matches under their belt already, hold the aces. They look good for a first up win.

Thanks for reading!