Former England captain Michael Vaughan has called Pakistan the weakest team to ever tour England, questioning their ability to challenge the hosts after a one-sided opening Test at Headingley.
“This is the weakest team to have ever toured England. I don’t see how they can challenge this England side in these conditions. From what we’ve seen, England should be winning this series 3-0 without breaking much of a sweat,” Vaughan said on the BBC.
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad made a similar assessment a few days earlier, describing Pakistan as a “poor” side.
“Pakistan are a weaker side. There is no doubting that. They are a very poor side. If England don’t come away with a Test series win, it really is a huge failure for them,” Broad said.
“You would imagine, and you would think that England should win 3-0 and pretty comfortably,” he added.
The comments followed a heavy defeat for Pakistan in the series opener, where the English press did not hold back either. The Telegraph declared bluntly that Pakistan is fielding its worst side in 50 years, while other outlets described the tourists’ bowling attack as toothless during the Headingley Test.
Pakistan lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs, with the match wrapped up before tea on the third day. Salman Ali Agha, standing in as captain for the injured Babar Azam, watched his side bowled out for 171 and then 135 as England’s pace attack ran through the batting line-up twice.
Ollie Robinson took eight wickets across the match to earn the player of the match award, while Josh Tongue also finished with eight wickets. Jofra Archer removed both Pakistan openers in the second innings on his way to three wickets in the innings.
Pakistan will look to respond in the second Test at Lord’s, which begins on Thursday.
