England vs Pakistan 2nd Test: 5 difficult decisions the teams have to make ahead of the game

#2 Does James Anderson still deserve a spot in the XI?

England v Pakistan: Day 2 - First Test #RaiseTheBat Series

England's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket cut a frustrated figure throughout the 1st Test, especially when Ben Stokes dropped a catch of his bowling. James Anderson's recent form has been under immense scrutiny, with talks of retirement hovering ominously.

Anderson himself has attempted to dispel these claims but even if walking away from the sport is not in his plans, England might drop him for this game. With only 1 wicket to show for in the 1st Test, the fast bowler hasn't made much of an impact when the conditions aren't heavily in his favour.

Anderson is still lethal in overcast conditions, though, and could be persisted with in the game at the expense of Jofra Archer. Although the Barbadian-origin pacer hasn't been bowling full tilt, he has produced flashes of brilliance as well as displayed the ability to clean up the tail.

With Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes all but undroppable now, we could see either Anderson or Archer axed for the game.

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#1 How do England replace Ben Stokes?

England v Pakistan: Day 4 - First Test #RaiseTheBat Series

Although Ben Stokes wasn't at his best against Pakistan in the 1st Test, he is the centrepiece of the England team across all formats. His recent Test performances have been extraordinary, and he has contributed in every innings with either bat or ball.

Stokes will miss the rest of the Pakistan series due to family issues, and England have a massive void left to fill. Sam Curran is on the bench and is the obvious choice to replace him, but that leaves the middle order looking threadbare. Zak Crawley is another option on the bench, and the 22-year-old even scored a fluent fifty against West Indies.

Both players might make their way into the playing XI, with Crawley a direct replacement in the middle order and Curran taking up the spot of either Anderson or Archer.

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