Pakistan look to finish off England at Leeds

LONDON: Mohammad Amir claims bowling Pakistan to a Test series win in England would be “the best memory” of his life.Fired-up Amir was a key figure in Pakistan’s nine-wicket win over England in the first Test at Lord’s. The 26-year-old pace bowler took five wickets in a triumph that put Pakistan on course for a series victory.The second Test of the two-match series begins at Headingley on Friday and Amir has his sights set on completing a success that would ranked as the finest achievement of his career. “It’s a big achievement winning in Test cricket in England against England at home,” he said on Wednesday. “If we win the series I think it will be the best memory of my life.”Amir was delighted with Pakistan’s dominant display at Lord’s but he expects England’s wounded pride will ensure the hosts push them much harder in Leeds. “Winning games at Lord’s - the home of cricket - it is very hard to win (in England). We did well at Lord’s, but it’s passed now,” he said.“Everybody knows England are a very good side - I think one of the best sides in Test cricket - and they will come harder at us here. But we are ready for that challenge.”Mohammad Abbas was Pakistan’s most potent seamer at Lord’s, with eight wickets, while Hasan Ali took four in the first innings. Amir believes they all have Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood to thank for the damage they caused to England’s creaky batting line-up.“Credit goes to all the bowlers, especially Mohammad Abbas. He’s bowling very well - and Hasan Ali,” Amir said. “But credit goes to Azhar Mahmood as well. He’s working hard with us and keeps telling us, ‘Pitch the ball up, pitch the ball up’. I think that was the main difference at Lord’s.“We are looking for the same here, and I always give the credit to Azhar Mahmood because he is working so hard - and he is the man behind this.”Jennings determined to enjoy his second chance: Jennings, who has been recalled for a second stint as Alastair Cook’s opening partner, knows full-well the challenges of the job and refers to a “dark period” around the time he was dropped previously. But he hopes that a combination of technical work and a fresh mental approach will result in better returns this time.His recall is, in some ways, quite a surprise. While he has scored centuries in his two most recent first-class innings, they are the only time he has reached 50 in 22 first-class innings since he was dropped last August. In that period, he has averaged just 26.18 in the first-class game after 22 innings realised 576 runs. All of which is hard to square with the coach, Trevor Bayliss, stating that “averaging 40 isn’t enough” for county players trying to force their way into the team. Jennings averaged 24.50 in his first six Tests as an England player but, after a century on debut in India, suffered six single-figure scores - including three ducks - in his next 11 innings. He does, at least, come into this game after those two centuries. While the first game on a flat pitch at Old Trafford, the second was in a low-scoring match at Trent Bridge and against a strong attack that included Stuart Broad, Jake Ball, Luke Fletcher and Harry Gurney. Whatever happens, Jennings is determined to enjoy the experience. He hopes to not only block out any criticism but not be too critical of himself. And, most of all, he wants to simply focus on the pleasure of playing Test cricket.

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