Zak Crawley: “Happy in Multan, feeling safe, no issue with the heat, and haven’t noticed any smog.”
The latest cricket news reveals that England’s top-order batter, Zak Crawley, expressed his happiness upon arriving in Multan. He mentioned that there’s no issue with the weather and that they are well-prepared for it. “Visiting Pakistan is always a good experience. The Multan Cricket Stadium is magnificent, and the atmosphere is right and pleasant. We’re enjoying ourselves,” he said.
Addressing a crowded press conference at the Multan Cricket Stadium, the English top-order batter stated that his finger fracture has healed, and he’s ready to play. Crawley, who scored a century and a fifty during England’s last tour of Pakistan, expressed confidence that he will perform even better this time. When asked another question, he responded that the English team is fully prepared to play in Pakistan.
A large number of British and local journalists were present at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Zak Crawley mentioned that England is determined to defeat Pakistan. “Although Pakistan’s recent performance hasn’t been great, we always consider them tough opponents, and they have talented players. Babar Azam may be out of form these days, but that’s not a big issue. He’s a top-class batter and can regain his form at any time,” Crawley added.
The first cricket test between Pakistan and England will begin on October 7. The English team entered the Multan Cricket Stadium for the first time on October 4 and then conducted a full training session.
Also Read:Salman Ali Agha: Pakistan’s Next White-Ball Cricket Captain?
Zak Crawley further noted that Pakistan also has experienced players, but England’s spinners are in good form and will perform well. In response to a question, Crawley remarked that during the last tour of Pakistan, the pitches were flat, which led to good batting performances. He emphasized that the heat in Multan is not an issue for the team. “We’ve been discussing and preparing for this for several weeks. We’re fully ready, and this weather won’t be a problem for us,” he said. Crawley also mentioned that their strategy during the last Pakistan tour in 2022 was based on the conditions at the time, and they will adapt their approach according to the current conditions to win.
Zak Crawley concluded by praising the accommodation and security arrangements in Multan, saying,
“We feel safe here, and the hospitality is top-notch. We’re enjoying our time. The environment in Multan is just right. We haven’t felt any smog; we’ve been here for two days, and there’s no such issue.”
Zak Crawley Profile:
Zak Crawley entered the 2023 Ashes series with a modest Test average of 28.26 from his first 34 matches, and his position in the England team was under heavy scrutiny. However, by the end of the six-week campaign, Crawley emerged as England’s top run-scorer, having proven himself against Australia’s fierce bowling attack, which had just claimed the World Test Championship title.
At the age of 21, Crawley’s call-up for England’s Test tour of New Zealand raised some eyebrows, as his first-class record included only three centuries. Despite his average numbers, he had earned admiration from several prominent figures in cricket who believed his ability to handle short-pitched deliveries and raw pace would serve him well at the international level.
On his Test debut, Crawley batted out of position in the middle order and scored just 1 run. However, he was retained for England’s tour of South Africa, where he showcased his potential with a maiden half-century in Johannesburg. His defining moment came during the pandemic-affected 2020 summer when he scored his first Test century against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl. Crawley didn’t stop there—he converted it into a remarkable double century, eventually being dismissed for 267.
This innings solidified his place in the team for an extended period, but form deserted him the following summer, managing only a single fifty in his next 14 innings. He was dropped but recalled midway through a tough Ashes tour, where he caught attention with a fluid 77 in Sydney. Crawley then reached his second Test hundred in a run-filled match in Antigua in early 2022.
Under the leadership of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, Crawley’s early form in 2022 was concerning, as he averaged only 23 during the summer and was frequently caught behind or in the slips while driving. Yet, McCullum saw promise in him, encouraging Crawley to “seize the moment,” drawing comparisons to his own attacking style. A dazzling century in Rawalpindi, where he scored at over a run a ball, eased some of the pressure, but questions about his consistency remained ahead of the Ashes, especially after a dry spell in New Zealand.
Crawley’s response was emphatic. He set the tone for the 2023 Ashes by driving the first ball of the series through cover for four at Edgbaston. His most memorable performance came in the fourth Test at Manchester, where he smashed a magnificent 189 off 182 balls. By the end of the series, Crawley had amassed 480 runs at an impressive average of 53.33 and a strike rate of 88.72—making it the highest total by an England opener in a home Ashes series since Mike Atherton in 1993.
A product of Kent’s cricket academy, Crawley honed his skills at Tonbridge School and was mentored by Rob Key, who later became the managing director of England men’s cricket. Notably, Crawley avoids social media, where opinions about his selection have often been divisive. Outside of cricket, his primary interest is golf.
England’s packed Test schedule has limited Crawley’s white-ball appearances, though he featured in three ODIs against Pakistan in 2021 when a second-string team was fielded due to a Covid outbreak. He has also played in Australia’s Big Bash League for the Hobart Hurricanes and boasts a T20 century for Kent.
