‘Difficult for Pakistan to handle’: Shoaib Akhtar warns Babar Azam-led side | Cricket News

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has cautioned Pakistan about the challenge awaiting them in England, warning that the hosts are unlikely to offer the same opportunities that allowed them to recover against the West Indies.Pakistan head into the upcoming Test series with Babar Azam back as their red-ball captain. His return to the leadership role produced mixed results in his first assignment, with Pakistan drawing their series against the West Indies 1-1.The hosts won the opening Test before Pakistan responded strongly in the second match, securing an eight-wicket victory to level the series.Despite that comeback, Pakistan’s Test side continues to have concerns to address, particularly when playing away from home. Their struggles on overseas tours have also been reflected in their position in the World Test Championship standings.Pakistan slipped to the bottom of the WTC table after their defeat in the first Test against the West Indies. Their win in the following match helped them climb back to eighth position.The England series is expected to provide a significantly tougher examination. Conditions in England have traditionally posed problems for visiting sides, while Pakistan will also be under pressure to improve their WTC campaign.Akhtar believes England will be well aware of Pakistan’s vulnerabilities and could prepare conditions specifically to test their batters.“England won’t make the same mistake West Indies did that allowed Pakistan to get into a winning position. They’ll prepare seam-friendly conditions, which will be very difficult for Pakistan to handle,” Akhtar said in a recent interview with a local sports platform, as quoted by Geo News.The former Pakistan pacer expects England to make full use of their home conditions rather than allow Pakistan to settle into the kind of position they reached in the second Test against the West Indies.Pakistan’s recent overseas record adds further significance to the series. Their most recent Test victory away from home came against Sri Lanka in 2023, during Babar’s first spell as captain.Babar subsequently stepped down from the leadership, with Shan Masood taking charge for nearly three years. However, Pakistan’s difficulties outside home conditions continued during his tenure.Pakistan were beaten 3-0 in Australia before suffering a 2-0 series defeat in South Africa. They then lost 2-0 in Bangladesh, extending a disappointing run in overseas Tests.The results left Pakistan without an away Test victory for a prolonged period and underlined their difficulties in adapting to conditions outside the subcontinent.With Babar once again leading the Test side, the England tour will provide another opportunity for Pakistan to address those concerns. But Akhtar believes the challenge will be particularly demanding, with England expected to use seam-friendly conditions to put their batting under pressure.