Pakistan Head Coach Mickey Arthur has sent a message of warning to under-fire England pair James Vince and Gary Ballance ahead of the Third Investec Test at Edgbaston, starting tomorrow.
Arthur has reminded the duo that they are batting for their futures in the side, with Vince yet to register a Test half-century in five appearances and Ballance back in the team after being dropped last summer.
England have been heavily reliant on Alastair Cook and Joe Root for runs so far in this series. Root smashed 254 in the Second Test at Old Trafford while Cook signalled a return to form with a century and unbeaten 75.
With Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes excelling down the order, the onus is now on Vince and Ballance to contribute in the middle order.
Arthur said: “Vince and Ballance are quality players but at this level confidence is such an important thing. They clearly know when they walk out to bat that they are playing for their Test places. So that provides another level of pressure. It’s not just the opposition running in and bowling a cricket ball at you.
"Suddenly that pressure is intensified as they’re playing for their places as well. As I say, they are quality players but we feel if we can get into them with the new ball we’ve got a real good chance."
Arthur admitted Pakistan had re-formulated plans for Cook and Root after the pair batted the tourists out of contention in Manchester. Cook, as the highest English run-scorer of all time and Root – the Number Two Test batsman in the world – are England's most dangerous and consistent run-getters.
“We have had a look at Cook and Root again and analysed our plans against them; what we did well and what we did not do well," added former Australia coach Arthur.
"We see Cook and Root as fundamental to England’s batting. We’ve spent our time wisely, rehashing our plans and we get here ready for the third Test.”
Pakistan could potentially make changes to their own batting lineup by dropping struggling batsman Shan Masood for the Third Test, with Azhar Ali also under pressure.
The Third Investec Test at Edgbaston gets underway at 11am tomorrow.
You can still secure your seats for the Royal London One Day International between England and Pakistan at The SSE SWALEC in Cardiff on Sunday 4 September. Click here to secure your tickets.