![Babar Azam](https://thepakistan.pk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/World-Test-championship-only-target-for-Pakistan-says-Babar-Azam.jpg)
Series Against England
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, pledged that his team will win the series against England, which would begin on Thursday in Rawalpindi, in order to get to the World Test Championship final.
Pakistan is now ranked fifth in the nine-team World Test Championship (WTC), and if they win the three-match series 2-0, they will have a chance to compete in the final at The Oval in England the following year.
The following month, they will host a two-game series against New Zealand.
Possibility of WTC Final
Azam stated on Wednesday, “We are pleased by the possibility of playing the WTC final.
“This series is significant. If we win four of the next five Tests, we would have a fantastic opportunity to accomplish that,” according to Babar, whose team has 56 points after nine Tests in the WTC.
They have drawn two, lost three, and won four games.
Two Test Series Against the West Indies
With 84 points, Australia is in first place and is currently hosting a two-Test series against the West Indies. By defeating India in the previous year’s WTC, New Zealand took first place.
Pakistan has performed successfully in white ball cricket under Babar, participating in the Asia Cup and Twenty20 World Cup finals this year.
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Babar Praises his Team
“We had a week to prepare for the series, which was fantastic and gave us a lead and some momentum. The fact that domestic first-class matches were in progress and several players were already engaging in red-ball cricket was the nicest part.
Babar refused to acknowledge that Pakistan’s lack of bowling expertise is a factor in the absence of pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi due to a knee ailment.
England Will Have a Difficult Time
Babar guaranteed that England will have a difficult time against his team’s strong bowling. “Naseem (Shah) has been bowling well, and whatever England does, I have the trust and the conviction that they would give it their all to deliver us victories.”
The other three pacemen, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim, and Mohammad Ali, have never played longer-format cricket; only Naseem, a fast bowler, has played 13 matches of the longer format.
However, he acknowledged that England has more bowling experience.
Anderson Has 667 Wickets
“Yes, England has an advantage in fast bowling thanks to James Anderson, who is very seasoned and gives them an edge in that area,” according to Babar. It is pertinent to state that Anderson has 667 wickets in 175 Test matches.
After a virus spread through their camp, leaving 13–14 squad members (six–7 players) ill, Babar anticipated England would be at full strength.
“Yes, it’s unfortunate to know that, but I’m confident they will recover, and in the Test, we play a well rested England team.”