'Pakistan might be a bigger test than Australia,' insists Botham
Tuesday 13 October 2015 13:01, UK
Sir Ian Botham feels England can inflict a first Test series defeat on Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, starting on Tuesday live on Sky Sports.
Pakistan are yet to lose a Test series 'at home' since they were forced to play their matches in the Emirates in 2010, and have claimed the scalps of Australia, Sri Lanka and England as well as twice drawing series with South Africa.
Three years ago they also crushed England 3-0 in the heat of the UAE with Andrew Strauss's side losing an incredible 48 wickets to spin.
However, despite Pakistan being overwhelming favourites to extend their unbeaten run, Botham insists Alastair Cook's improving side can cause an upset.
Botham told Sky Sports: "Historically Pakistan don't lose here, so England are going to have to play very well. It will be a real test, in many ways it might be a bigger test than the Australian's were in the summer.
"What happened three years ago doesn't really matter as this is a much better England side. This team is going well, they have a few points to prove, they've got a nice balance and I'm looking forward to seeing how they fare.
"I think it's going to be tight but I'm going to back England to win it by one Test for the first time out here."
With Steven Finn ruled out through injury, the Sky Sports cricket commentator thinks Mark Wood will come into the side as a fourth seamer for the opening match in Abu Dhabi, with Moeen Ali and Test debutant Adil Rashid adding the spin options to a six-man attack.
He added: "Anderson, Broad and Stokes will definitely play and if they go in with four seamers Wood will play, but it really depends on what they see [on Tuesday morning]. I think England will pick a squad of 13 and make their minds up on the morning on the match.
"I just hope these pitches give us a little bit more than they did last time to make it entertaining cricket."
Beefy's Bets
Beefy is backing England to win the series by one Test at 9/2 with Sky Bet. He's tipping Cook to top score for the tourists at 3/1 with leg-spinner Rashid top series bowler at 100/30.
With seam bowlers likely to get more assistance from the Sheikh Zayed Stadium wicket Beefy is tipping Stuart Broad to be England's leading wicket-taker at 7/2.
"I think England will come out of the blocks hot and win this one," added Botham, whose tip is a 9/4 shot with Sky Bet.
Watch England's first Test against Pakistan, in Abu Dhabi, live from 6.30am on Tuesday on Sky Sports 2. You can also watch without a contract on NOW TV.
