The team’s newly discovered aggressive style is continuing to pay off, as captain Ben Stokes praised England’s “huge” Test series victory in Pakistan on Monday.
Before this week’s last game in Karachi, England won the series by defeating Pakistan by 26 runs in the second Test after winning by 74 runs in the first match in Rawalpindi.
Both victories were the result of aggressive hitting known as “Baseball,” named for the team’s new coach, Brendon “Baz” McCullum, who has changed the team’s fortunes since taking over in May.
Since McCullum and Stokes took over, England had won eight of their last nine Test matches.
Although they haven’t been to Pakistan in 17 years because of security concerns, England has already won three straight series there.
Stokes, who has now led his team to three victories in as many series, declared, “Not for a minute are we going to believe it’s simply another Test series win.”
“It would be huge to defeat Pakistan at home. We are aware of what we have accomplished and recognize the significance of our victory for English cricket.”
Although it is “a very special time to be an England cricketer,” Stokes insisted that the team must remain grounded.
We try to stay present, he remarked.
Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, regrets the frequent blunders made in the first two Test matches.
Azam, who has now lost two home series in a succession after being defeated by Australia earlier this year, said, “We are making the same mistakes and are unable to finish the games.”
Azam lamented the batting breakdowns that were visible in both innings.
Nevertheless, he was complimentary of Abrar Ahmed, a spinner who claimed 11 wickets in his first Test.
“Ahmed exploited the circumstances effectively, and it was a good start for him,” he remarked.
On Saturday, the last Test begins in Karachi.
