'Difficult to handle': Shoaib Akhtar warns Pakistan ahead of England Test series

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has warned the Babar Azam-led side to be prepared for tough conditions during their upcoming three-Test series against England.The first Test will begin at Headingley in Leeds on August 19. Akhtar believes England could prepare pitches that offer assistance to their seam bowlers and make things difficult for Pakistan's batters.Speaking in a recent interview with a local sports platform, as quoted by Geo News, the former right-arm pacer said England would have taken note of the mistakes made by the West Indies in their recent series against Pakistan. He expects the hosts to avoid giving Pakistan an opportunity to take control of the matches.Akhtar said England are likely to make use of conditions that help seam bowling, which could test Pakistan's batting line-up."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.The series will be Pakistan's first Test tour of England since 2020 and is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.The second Test will be played at Lord's from August 27 to 31, while the third Test will take place at Edgbaston in Birmingham from September 9 to 13.Pakistan enter the series after drawing their two-Test tour of the West Indies 1-1. The series also included Pakistan's first away Test win since July 2023.Pakistan will play a four-day warm-up match against a Select XI from August 12 to 15 as part of their preparations for the England series.

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