Test cricket alive and kicking, beams Waqar Younis after Dubai Test

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis believes that the Dubai Test was a good advert for Test cricket

The ongoing Test series between England and Pakistan has been an enthralling contest with fans treated to some nail-biting action in both the Tests at Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The second Test at Dubai turned out to be a cliff-hanger as Pakistan overcame a resilient fightback from England’s tail to clinch a dramatic match with just 6.3 overs remaining in the match.

With the playing surface at Dubai usually being batsman-friendly with little help for the bowlers, cricket lovers were sceptical about the venue being allotted Tests. The all action match has however served to be the perfect advert for Test cricket, feels Pakistan coach Waqar Younis.

"The last day of the Test match was a good advert for the game, [although] maybe not for us," Waqar said, as reported by ESPNCricinfo. "I think a Test match going the full distance is an outstanding thing for the game. I think the game of Test cricket won on Monday. I don't think Test cricket's future is bleak in any way. Test cricket is the actual cricket and the way Test cricket is going, I think we should appreciate it and there are no dangers to it."

The former Pakistan captain feels both teams did their bit in serving up the contest and emphasised that cricket was the clear winner from the contest.

"Credit to the boys the way they played the Test, bowlers gave their best and credit must also be given to England, the way they showed resistance," he said.

Though pleased to head into the final Test with a 1-0 lead, Waqar warned his side to be wary of the visitors as they have shown with their performance in the opening two Test matches how dangerous they can be even in alien conditions.

"Overall the cricket was very good and being 1-0 up is always very handy and we will go [to Sharjah] with same morale and resolve to make it 2-0. I think the way England put up the fight in Dubai on the last day confirmed that they are capable in any conditions, spin or pace, they have got this knack that they are a good team so we don't have to down our cards in any way,” he added.

With the third and final Test of the series set to start from November 1 at Sharjah, Waqar is hopeful that a pitch is prepared that suits Pakistan’s strength as they are playing their ‘home’ series in the UAE.

"Our effort is that, since this is our home series, we have to have our strength," said Waqar. "In Sharjah there is some spin and reverse swing but traditionally it's a flat pitch. What I have heard is that they have changed the soil so let's see, but we have to keep our strategy intact." .