Pakistan turnaround against England not impossible, says Ali

Despite England having elevated their lead to 357, leading 1-0 in the three-match ICC World Test Championship series, Mohammad Ali still feels that Pakistan can conjure something special to level it.

"Miracles do happen in cricket. We can only hope at this time and try and encourage the batting group," Ali said after a rain-marred Day 3.

"It'll be a difficult task but not impossible. Until the last ball is bowled in cricket, you can't make predictions.

“The Test still has ways to run. 350-400 has been chased in the past, too. It's all about mindset and belief. Conditions are tough, but we'll have to face that challenge and find a way out to get runs."

Pakistan are currently at the bottom of the WTC Standings with only two wins from seven outings. Meanwhile, England are seventh and have had five results go their way from 14 matches in this WTC cycle.

Ali was among the wicket-takers for Pakistan in the second innings as he notched a brace, including the wicket of England captain Joe Root. He also snapped three dismissals in the first innings.

England lost four wickets on Day 3 as rain cut short the action in London, with only 24.5 overs bowled. However, the hosts have built on the sizeable first-innings lead of 180 runs, adding another 177 in the second, with three more wickets in hand.

"The deficit from the first innings was too deep anyway. When you're so far behind, all you can do is get opposition wickets as quickly as possible,” Ali believes.

“I think we bowled better here than in the first innings. In better areas and with more consistency. That's why England are 177 for 7."

However, an added challenge for the Pakistan batters will be the variable bounce that’s on offer at Lord’s. The visitors have taken note of England’s match against New Zealand at Lord’s earlier this summer.

"You often get variable bounce at Lord's," Ali added. "If you watched the Test against New Zealand here [earlier this summer], you saw variable bounce too. As a cricketer, you have to be in awkward conditions.

“I don't talk about anyone else, but if you ask me to bowl all my life, I will be ready to do that. Because that's my job.

“And no matter how many fast bowlers play, fast bowlers should enjoy bowling in these conditions. If your workload is fine and your preparation is fine, you'll never have a problem.”

First Test: August 19-23, Headingley (England won by an innings and 103 runs)

Second Test: August 27-31, Lord's

Third Test: September 9-13, Edgbaston