With the three-match series between England and Pakistan set to kickstart on 5th August, England is looking forward to winning the first match of the series by every means. England has lost 1st Test match in the last 8 series out of 10 series played. Even the last Test series which they played last month against West Indies started with England’s loss in the first match, although the defending champions won the series by 2-1.
And now the England team knows that if they do not break this streak, it may weaken their chances f winning the series. They have not won a series against Pakistan since 2010. The teams will be playing their first bout on Wednesday in the Old Trafford.
They all are well aware of the numbers, with in-form England pacemen Chris Woakes admitting: “I’d love to be able to put my finger on it and I’m sure the management and the team would as well.
“It’s no coincidence but it’s almost, it is just a coincidence that we can keep losing that first Test match.
“But we want to put that right,” he added.
With the eyes of the global cricket community set to turn to Manchester in the absence of any other major international fixtures outside of England amid the pandemic.
The Pakistan team who has not played a test match for a long time will be facing their hosts who have been ‘match hardened’ after the West Indies series.
“We’ve had good preparations and team bonding,” Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq said on Monday.
“Still we feel there is always a slight nervousness when you just play Test cricket after a long, long time (away),” he added ahead of his side’s first Test in six months.
It will be interesting to see whether the England team will be able to maintain the winning momentum or not.
