England in UAE: Five Pakistan players to watch in ODI series
Who pose the biggest threat to England's hopes of ODI series win?
Wednesday 11 November 2015 11:07, UK
Following Pakistan's Test series victory over England in UAE, we look at the hosts' five main threats ahead of the one-day internationals.
Ahmed Shehzad (batsman)
Shehzad was a surprising omission for the Test series, especially given opener Shan Masood's struggles at the top of the order, but the right-hander is still relatively fresh to Test cricket, having played just 11 games thus far compared to 72 ODIs, although he has yet to ever face England. The 23-year-old has six hundreds to his name in that time, and bares more than a passing resemblance to Indian sensation Virat Kohli, both facially, and through his elegant stroke-play and passion for the game.
Younus Khan (batsman)
He is Pakistan's all-time leading Test run-scorer, moving past Javed Miandad's 8,832 and the 9,000-run mark during the Test series against England. But Younus was unceremoniously axed from the Pakistan ODI set-up following a disappointing 2015 World Cup - he scored just 43 runs over three matches. In fact, he has only one ODI century since 2008, but the 37-year-old is back in the set-up following a decent Test series in which he scored 302 runs at an average of 50.33.
Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper-batsman)
Sarfraz also had an impressive Test series even if the stats don't back it up, with a top score of only 39. But the wicketkeeper batsman was a chirpy - and reliable - presence behind the stumps, providing some useful quick-fire lower-order cameos. He has never quite fired for Pakistan in ODIs, with only one hundred in 52 appearances, averaging under 30, but he has been unfairly moved around the batting order. He was slotted in at six in Pakistan's most recent series in Zimbabwe in October, but has been at his most successful when opening, scoring his only hundred against Ireland during the World Cup.
Yasir Shah (leg-spinner)
If they didn't already, England now truly know the threat posed by leg-spinner Yasir Shah after he took a series-topping 15 wickets in only two Tests, encompassing both Pakistan wins. But for all his success in the longer format, Yasir has yet to really take the 50-over game by storm, with only 16 wickets at 30.68 in his 12 matches, including a wicketless eight-over turn against India in his only game at the World Cup. However, Yasir notched his best figures of 6-26 against Zimbabwe in October and could be reaching his peak. England be warned.
Wahab Riaz (fast bowler)
Left-arm quick Wahab produced one of the most hostile spells of pace bowling in recent memory when peppering Australia's Shane Watson with short balls at the World Cup. The left-arm quick has been particularly potent in 2015 with 29 wickets in 16 ODIs at 24.58 and dazzled in spells during the Test series. His man-of-the match efforts in the second Test in Dubai were the highlight, with his burst on the third morning triggering an England collapse of seven wickets for 36 runs.
Live One-Day International Cricket
England's tour of the UAE continues on Sky Sports. Watch the first ODI between Pakistan and England in Abu Dhabi on Sky Sports 2 HD from 10.30am on Wednesday, November 11. You can also watch without a contract on NOW TV.
