England in Pakistan

[m_vaughan]

Well I always knew Bell was a class act. Has proved me right today! And what happened to Kaneria??? 30 Overs bowled and not one wicket. Seems to be having a tougher time than Giles.

England will have to bowl Pakistan out for less than 250 (including lead) in their 2nd innings and then hope the wicket is good enough for chasing that on the last day. England might miss the reverse-swing of Simon Jones in the 2nd innings. I expect Freddie to do pick up most of the wickets though.

 

[andrew_nixon]

Why are people blaming Bell for that decision? Note that Mohammed Yousuf WALKED before being given out, therefore indicating that he thought it was a genuine catch. So you should be blaming Yousuf, who in any case should have been out lbw to Giles earlier on.

And a few idiots seem to think that there is some sort of racist conspiracy against Pakistan. Note that the 3rd umpire, who gave a dodgy decision against Inzamam, is a Pakistani!

 

[nightprowler10]

Afridi's shouts have been mostly for balls that hit the batsman about two foot outside off. The umpire had to warn him for it.

No, that was Kaneria. He had two shouts that were way off (probably confused due to the different angle he was bowling from?). The Afridi appeals were dead on, and one of them was extremely close. Kaneria is the one who got the warning.

As for people saying Kaneria was poor today, I don't know how many people were watching the game live but I felt he started bowling defensively after his second warning for running on to the pitch. He was much better before then. Afridi surprised me today, good bowling from him. I can't imagine what it'd be like facing an 80 MPH leg spinner.

Why are people balming Bell for that decision?

Ew. Trust me, I wouldn't balm the bloke anywhere even if my life depended on it.

 

[andrew_nixon]

Kaneria needs to do some work to stop running on the pitch in his follow through. I seem to recall that he had a problem with it previously in his career too, although I could be thinking of someone else.

It also seems that the entire Pakistan bowling attack needs work on stopping no-balls.

 

[m_vaughan]

Yes and I still think that Bell dint realise that the ball had touched the ground. I found nothing suspicious with his facial expression after the catch.

Irrespective of the nationality, I think its really shameful on the part of any official to not be well versed with the rules of the game. To be honest, even Botham and Manjrekar werent sure of the rules at the time of the incident and had both declared Inzamam out initially. It was only after the third umpire's decision was made did Manjrekar first mention about the law.

 

[nightprowler10]

Kaneria needs to do some work to stop running on the pitch in his follow through. I seem to recall that he had a problem with it previously in his career too, although I could be thinking of someone else.

It also seems that the entire Pakistan bowling attack needs work on stopping no-balls.

Kaneria had trouble in the Carribean as well. The commentators felt that the second warning was a bit harsh.

You're dead on about the no balls though. Rana was the worst of the lot, had 5 no balls in 5 overs in the beginning. A couple of Akhtar's no balls were too harsh as his foot was touching the crease, or so it seemed.

 

[m_vaughan]

I can't imagine what it'd be like facing an 80 MPH leg spinner.

Especially when it hits certain rough patches made by him.

 

[nightprowler10]

Can we let the controversial acts of certain players go? I know I have. What happened yesterday is now in the past. I was PO'd about both Afridi and Bell, but then got some sleep and woke up looking forward to Day 3, hoping it would be controversy free, and it was. Let's move on guys. That goes for England and Pakistani fans alike.

 

[barmyarmy]

Yeah, quiet day really!
Well done Afridi to get that wicket at the end. Just keeps a Pakistan win a bit more likely than the draw.

 

[Pak_cricketer]

To me a draw right now is still on... Unless We get the wickets early mourning and then we bat really fast aswell

 

[m_vaughan]

Yup a draw looks most likely, but a Pakistan win is very much possible.
A win for the visitors is probably least likely but then this England team has won matches from pretty tough situations before. Just ask the South Africans!

 

[cc2003btw]

We'll see, if we're leading by tomorrow lunch, then get most of Pakistan out with some tight bowling then it's ours to lose. Which we're good at doing.

 

[JamesyJames3]

Why is the Pakistan team full of cheats and chuckers?

Cant you create a proper bowler who bowls within the rules?

 

[andrew_nixon]

Why is the Pakistan team full of cheats and chuckers?

Gone too far there.

Please provide examples of when every single member of the Pakistan team for this match has cheated or been suspected of chucking, or apologise.

 

[barmyarmy]

Why is the Pakistan team full of cheats and chuckers?

Cant you create a proper bowler who bowls within the rules?

Please don't start a flame war. I think this has already been discussed plenty in this thread and it's clear people aren't going to agree.