"They found the kryptonite to Bazball" - Nasser Hussain after Pakistan's victory in PAK vs ENG 2024 Test series
Former England skipper Nasser Hussain believes Pakistan have Ben Stokes and Co. as they found the kryptonite to Bazball. The renowned commentator opined that Pakistan have found incisive spinners and batters who can do well against spin-bowling.
Having lost the opening Test of the three-match series to England by an innings and 47 runs, Pakistan made wholesale changes to their squad. It paid off as spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan - both of who made their comebacks - played vital roles in fashioning a 2-1 series win for Pakistan.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Hussain lauded the selectors for making tough calls when Pakistan were struggling and facing backlash. He said:
"Congratulations to Pakistan for making that change, they lost six Tests in a row, the fans and supporters were not happy. Different pitches and selectors and they found the kryptonite to Bazball.
"They have spinners of the highest quality and they have players that play spin really well. It's exposed England when the ball does spin. When it spins and it's gripping, England don't play spin or bowl spin as good as Pakistan."
A flat deck in the opening Test was followed by two spinning decks as Pakistan's batters and bowlers adapted to it better than the Englishmen. Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel scored centuries in the second and third Test, respectively. Noman and Sajid finished the series with 20 and 19 wickets, respectively.
"Discrepancy in the England side is a concern" - Nasser Hussain
Hussain also reckons England appear to be a one-dimensional side, capable of playing spin well only on flat pitches. He added:
"There should be a discrepancy because the pitches have been so different from the first Test to the second and third. There's no doubting that scores should go down and spinners should go up. But, discrepancy in the England side is a concern.
"It shouldn't be so drastic that you play so well on flat pitches and you can hit through the line but the moment it grips you can't play like that and so then you're lost."
England will next face New Zealand in an away Test series next month.