Pak squad should remain unchanged for second Test against England in UAE: Sohail

Karachi, Jan 21(ANI): Pakistani cricket commentator Amir Sohail has suggested that Pakistan should not make any changes in the squad for the second Test.

"Pakistan doesn't need to fiddle with their line up at all, as they are doing a very good job. Asad Shafiq is a very talented batsman and should be given a long run in the side," PakPassion.net quoted Sohail, as saying.

"You look at the makeup of the current Pakistan side and you have to realise that Pakistan has struggled over the years and the team was shattered after the events of 2010 in England. Hat's off to Misbah ul Haq as he has reunited the team and look at how he has instilled confidence into the team," he added.

His comments came after Pakistan thrashed England by ten wickets in the first Test in the United Arab Emirates.

Sohail also lauded Pakistan's opening batting pair of Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar and described them as responsible players.

He rejected claims that England skipper Andrew Strauss' decision to bat first was a blunder that left England five wickets down at lunch.

"When you see a wicket like that in Dubai and you win the toss, yes you are going to go for batting first. Looking at the captains at the toss I felt that Misbah was happy with Strauss' decision to bat first as he wanted to bowl first, so in the end Strauss' decision to bat first turned out to be a very good decision for Pakistan," he said.

Sohail was also not critical of the England squad for the first Test.

"England went with their winning and successful formula and their fast bowlers bowled well, they dried up the runs and they made the Pakistani batsmen work hard for their runs. But in the first match of a series when you don't know too much about the pitch, it's difficult to make a bold decision and change your winning formula. With the benefit of hindsight though, England could have played Monty Panesar, but I think on the whole it was the right decision for England to play three seam bowlers," he said. (ANI)