3 reasons why Pakistan has been more successful than India in England

We have often seen the trend of Asian teams failing to adjust in the alien Engli conditions as they succumb to perform against the moving ball. In fact, India have won only six Test matches that they have played in England ever since 1932. This is a staggering number depicting tough times that the Sub-Continent giants have faced in this part of the world.

Though the story is not the same for every Asian team touring here in England. For that matter, our neighbours, Pakistan have done exceedingly well considering they also come from similar conditions as we have back home in India. The men in green have won more Test matches than any other Asian country here in England. They boast of a decent record on their last two tours with victories in three games and drawing both the series in 2016 and 2018.

But why is that so, do India by any means is a side less in capabilities? No, it is the preparation and the switch off from the white-ball cricket that Pakistanis manage to do better than us. In the end, it all boils down to be patient and show resistance in seamer-friendly conditions that Indians have often failed to display.

We take a detailed look at why Pakistan is a better touring team than India in the UK.

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#3 Pace-attack to exploit the conditions

Pakistan have always had the luxury of some fearsome fast bowlers who can exploit the suitable conditions in England. Always known to produce some reckless fast bowlers, the country has seen some of the greats to have ever played the game. They tend to produce such bowlers who can bowl fast day in and day out and terrorize batsmen on their will. The likes of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younus, Shoaib Akhtar, have seen some of their best time bowling in the English conditions with a red-cherry that swings both ways.

The trend still continues as the baton is passed to the younger lot with Mohammad Amir leading the charge with youngsters like Hassan Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammed Abbas following the footsteps of some of the legends from the country.

While India have always struggled with pacers, it was a golden opportunity for them this time with a healthy lot of fast bowlers to win a Test series in England but the batsmen have let them down to put runs on the board.

#2 Leg-spinners get the better of English batsmen

England have always witnessed their worst times against the leg-spinners. And Pakistan have used this as their most powerful weapon against the English batters. The home team does play a decent amount of leg-spin in their county season but fail to counter a more quality spinner at the International level. Be it Abdul Qadir, Saqlain Mushtaq, Yasir Shah or most recently Shadab Khan, each of them has enjoyed success against the ailing English batters.

Despite roping in Saqlian Mushtaq as their coach, the batsmen tend to pile on the misery after their repetitive failures. This comes in with a great advantage for every touring Asian team as they enjoy best of the services form their spin bowlers.

Even India had their greatest match winner in Anil Kumble but Jumbo didn't enjoy best of his time against England. He didn't have a great experience playing here as his lengths allowed English batters to play with a lot of ease with enough time on the backfoot.

#1 Batters have put up runs on the board

It is always said that you can win Test matches at foreign soil only if you have the attack to inflict 20 wickets in a game. But at the same time, it is as true that batters need to put up runs at least in excess of 350 so as to give your bowlers a chance to make a contest out of it. India have often seen their batting order crumbling in testing conditions and when they have shown the resistance, bowlers have given them enough chance to pull their way back into the Test match.

Pakistan have more often than not, seen their batting group flourish under adverse situations. It is only then that they have inflicted good performances riding on the back of their bowlers. It is a basic fact that still holds true even after a century of cricket played that batters setup up matches while bowlers will win it for their them.

If Indian team can draw some inspiration from their neighbours, there's no hard and fast rule that they will not be among the runs and hence on the better side of the result.