I pray to god that Pakistan won't try to just draw the series in England: Shoaib Akhtar

To brace back the field amid COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan are set to lock horns with England in three Tests and as many T20Is in August-September window. 20 Pakistan players and 11 support staff were tested negative upon their arrival in England and the first set of players have even begun training at Worcestershire.

Meanwhile, six more Pakistan cricketers, who were tested COVID-19 negative in their subsequent tests, will join the squad after flying out of Pakistan on Friday. Having drawn their last two series in England, the Azhar Ali-led side will hope to start off their campaign by clinching the Test series.

Keeping the COVID-19 risk in mind, the players will be under a biosecure environment during the course of the series. Moreover, the matches will be played without any spectators, and the players will follow the new ICC post-coronavirus world regulations.

Pakistan needs to play really good cricket: Shoaib Akhtar

Ahead of the much-awaited series, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has said that he wants the team to play with a positive mindset and not settle for a draw against the Three Lions.

According to the Rawalpindi Express, the mindset of the batsmen cost Pakistan many games in the past. However, he is optimistic that the Men in Green will come up with a ‘better’ team combination this time.

“I want to see players’ (Covid-19) test negative but want their mindset to be positive. Pakistan needs to play really good cricket. There is no cricket going on across the world and Pakistan will get to play against England after West Indies play against them,” Akhtar said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.

“I pray to god that Pakistan won’t try to just draw the series there. In the past, we could have won many games in England but I feel the mindset of the batsmen just wasn’t there. I hope the team is able to assess the situation better in England and come up with a solid team combination,” added Akhtar, who scalped over 400 international wickets while donning the Pakistan jersey in 46 Tests, 163 ODIs and 15 T20Is.

Here’s the video: