The Test series between Pakistan and England may not have ended in favour of the World number 1 English side, but one day cricket is a different ball game altogether. A little-bit extra effort can change the momentum of the game and it’s my guess that whoever wins the first match to be played between the two sides on February 13th, will take the four-match series.

So far the two sides have played each other in 68 one-day internationals; England has won 38 times and lost on 28 occasions. But Pakistan has won the all-important encounter – the World Cup Final – when Graham Gooch’s men were beaten comprehensively by Imran Khan’s tiger nearly 20 years back. England was the better side in the competition, yet it was toppled by a rejuvenated side with a Captain Cool who commanded respect of his bits and pieces cricketers who had the zeal to do well. The current Pakistan side also has a Cool Captain who is nearing 40, someone who commands respect of the players who on their day can beat the best side in the world.

There are certain weak links in the Pakistan side that need to be looked at by the management which also features the coach and the captain. Opening batsman Imran Farhat needs to either grow up or get out because no team needs a player who scores when his place in the side is in jeopardy, and not when the team needs him to. Either a youngster like Asad Shafiq or Azhar Ali should open the innings or Imran Farhat be given a chance with a hint that it could probably be his last. The winning combination of the test series should more or less be retained if Pakistan wants to win. Wahab Riaz should get preferred over both Junaid Khan and Aizaz Cheema, mostly because he is a better batsman, fielder and bowls at a speed that can disturb the batsmen.

The batsman will hold key for Pakistan

Similarly, one of the Akmals should play in the side because the team is not big enough for both of them. Either Umar Akmal should keep wickets to play or Adnan can keep wickets and bat in the middle-order.

Younis Khan, Misbah ul Haq as well as Shahid Afridi should feature in the middle-order while there should be no place for a tried-and-tested cricketer like Shoaib Malik. Malik’s late inclusion in the team has generated controversy because many believe that it happened on the intervention of a Federal minister, and not on Misbah’s request as the management poses. If he gets to play, it will disturb the successful spin-trio comprising of Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez, who bamboozled England in theTtest matches.

On the other hand, the visitors need to play sensibly if they are to pose a challenge. A revamped batting line up, with either Kevin Pietersen or Jonathan Trott as opener, would benefit them as will the fielding they are known for. The medium pacers in the side including all-rounders Tim Bresnan and Ravi Bopara can be a threat in the conditions of United Arab Emirates just like Adam Hollioake and Matthew Fleming were when England managed to win the four-nation Sharjah Cup in 1998.

The series will be tough considering both sides have a point to prove. The English will try to show that they aren’t scared of Saeed Ajmal while the Pakistanis will be hoping to continue their winning streak and make England pay for dragging their star spinner into controversies. Whoever ends on the losing side, the game of cricket will definitely be the winner.

Name: Younus Khan

Occupation: Cricketer

Born On: 29-November

Websites: None

Detailed Profile: Younus Khan

Wiki Page: Younus Khan

Younus Khan is an aggressive middle-order batsman with flourishing stroke-play. He made his debut against Sri Lanka in 2000 and has progressed rapidly since. He was one of the few batsmen who retained his place in the team after Pakistan's disastrous 2003 World Cup campaign.

With a smiling and merry attitude, Younus Khan is capable of playing the big innings time and again. He is particularly strong in the arc from backward point to extra cover. Khan is a flamboyant batsman, but this is coupled with grit which makes him such a solid middle order bat.

Younus has cemented the number 3 spot in the team after a series of good performances in recent years, and is now the backbone of the Pakistan batting line-up along with the likes of Mohammad Yousuf.