PAK vs ENG: Gus Atkinson confident in England’s bowling ahead of Pakistan Test

England’s fast bowler Gus Atkinson has shared his thoughts on the upcoming first Test against Pakistan, scheduled to begin on Monday at the Multan Cricket Stadium. 

Atkinson compared the weather conditions in Pakistan to those in England, acknowledging the difference but maintaining that it won’t change the team's approach.

“We're not going to try and do anything too different despite the conditions,” Atkinson stated after a training session in Multan.

In preparation, the fast bowler consulted players who have previously played in Pakistan to better understand the conditions. 

“I've spoken to players who've come here and played before,” he added.

Despite several key players missing from the squad due to injuries, Atkinson expressed confidence in England's bowling attack. 

“Yes, we're missing a few senior players due to injuries, but our bowling attack is still pretty strong,” he assured.

One of the major absences for England is star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has been ruled out of the first Test due to a hamstring injury he sustained during the Hundred League. Despite his efforts to recover, Stokes was unable to return to full fitness and announced his unavailability on Saturday after training in Multan.

With Stokes sidelined, Ollie Pope will step in as captain for the first Test. Additionally, veteran bowler James Anderson is also missing from the squad as he is competing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. However, Anderson has been offering support to his teammates from afar, sharing his valuable insights with the bowlers via WhatsApp.

Atkinson praised Pakistan's strong line-up, including top players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi. 

"Pakistan have some fantastic players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi. I haven't decided who to target yet, but it will be a good challenge," he concluded.

Atkinson also expressed excitement about playing in Pakistan, a country where he has previously competed in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), saying he looks forward to the experience once again.

The first Test between England and Pakistan will kick off on October 7 at the Multan Cricket Stadium, and fans are eager to see how both sides perform in what promises to be an exciting contest.