Both sides have their own Stakes to Prove with Amir in Spotlight

                  The investec test series between England and Pakistan has got lot of hype from the moment Pakistan landed in England with the spotlight focused on the return of Mohammad Amir and it recalled the infamous test at the home of Cricket where Pakistan have not got good memories to remember. But they seek to Start a fresh campaign altogether by  putting those old memories a side, as the first of Investec test series set to begin on Thursday at the Home of Cricket.
                 Mohammad Amir may have returned to international scene back in January this year  in New Zealand after his end of penalty coz of match fixing scandal, but this series will be the  greatest test of his Career. As he has to run through those run-ups  where it almost ended his Career with the immature behaviour and now he has to cope with criticism around the place.
                 Although the series have lot of Stakes to talk about apart from what as happened in the past, but now both teams have it's challenges and players have to prove themselves with the new opportunities. A lot of talkative aspect has been about England's fragile middle order in absence of Nick Compton, who was opted to stay away from the game for few months after his poor form in this summer. The hosts haven't been in their best of form with the bat recently against Sri Lanka with the red ball and Gary Ballance selection came as a surprise ahead of other top competitors in the county championship.
                While England believe that Root will fill the boots of No.3 position, which is considered as an tricky position in any format and the best batsmen of the present squad is optimistic to take on the new challenge. But injuries on other side leave England to search a pacer in place of Anderson, where Jack Ball around the squad during Lankan tour face a tough competition from Roland-Jones and Woakes once again has to play key role in absence of Stokes.
                 On the other side visitor's started their preparation from a month before and the team seek to close up the ranks around Amir by fighting as an unit. Although there will be some questions to be answered with the bat and it is high time for Younis and Misbah who were on merge of their careers. While Pakistan as their own Stakes to prove themselves most often than not and this time around the energy looking quite high with the new management and Coach.
                 Meanwhile there are quite new faces to face a challenge in challenging conditions in the batting order and the return of Yasir as strengthened the bowling attack even more alongside Amir and Riaz. But the focus lies for them on improving batting and fielding issues which were present from a long time.
                While on the match day it's about playing according to the conditions on offer, as lords produced high scoring games in recent times and the concerns are already made by Broad about the state of the pitch with is dry. So bowlers have to work hard for wickets and if the sun is clear enough then it will become even more easier for batsmen to play their strokes.
                It might be a perfect time for batsmen to set into the groove's, but the spotlight will be on bowlers without Anderson for England. Where Pakistan feel comfortable in absence of the hosts premier bowler. While with Amir and Yasir presence for Pakistan, England batsman will face the biggest challenge at home this summer. At the end of the day the contest lies between the batting unit and bowling attack of either sides.