England in Pakistan

[Sando]

4/183 at tea, tremendous effort from Pakistan, a better batting surface has not been on offer all series. Another positive for Pakistan is that England only managed to score at 3.20rpo meaning even if they reach the par score of 400-450, it will be in a day and two sessions, and not earlier. It would be in Englands interest to take a draw out of the equation as soon as possible. A huge first innings total in quick time would be the best way to do that.

Vaughn batted beautifully, Trescothick similarly good. Pietersen should have been given out LBW early, but recovered to put major pressure on Pakistan before falling just prior to Tea.

Good match thus far, Malik's success indicates that the Pakistani's will have a tough time dealing with Udal.

 

[Gilchrist]

yes. vaughan is better opening with trescothick, he looked far better

 

[Turbanation]

Is it just me or can you hear someone chanting prayers in the background?

 

[wifler]

Freddie gone, I fear the huge total is now out of the question Fingers crossed for jonesy!

 

[Sando]

Jones with a Alan Donald like brain melt! And how did Daryl miss Collingwood's massive inside edge off Shoaib?!?!?! Pakistan should be into the tail by now. I agree with Beefy though, the Pakistani's over zealous appealing will only hurt them in the long run.

Credit to Collingwood though, playing with a great deal of composure.

 

[barmyarmy]

Well done to Pakistan again. I reckoned that winning the toss made us favourites so I was seriously unhappy to see the way Flintoff and Jones threw away their wickets.
250/6 is a pretty dismal first day score on a good batting pitch.

 

[Sureshot]

I thought Malik wasn't allowed to bowl?

 

[andrew_nixon]

I thought Malik wasn't allowed to bowl?

Since when?

 

[andrew_nixon]

penchod

What?

 

[sid_19840]

What?

He's using really bad words there,Ive never thought Id see this in the forums.

 

[Bilal91]

Good work by Pakistan... Lets see what tommorow brings for us...

 

[ZexyZahid]

Very good opening partnership by England. By tight bowling they restrict England. I think England would be happy to reach over 300 runs tomorrow. Finally Collingwood has showed his potential.

And I read also that the umpires were on fire: some decisions went again against Pakistan. Hopefully Pakistan can overcome that and with good willpower make a good first innings.

 

[Bilal91]

The umpires have been against the pakistanis the whole series... first they gave inzi out than yousaf and now this test match...

 

[m_vaughan]

Day 1 clearly belonged to Pakistan. Well England blew it, really. What a start it was, with both Vaughan and Trescothick looking in top form. Vaughan especially looked set to make a big one. But it was not to be. Pakistan clawed their way back into the game. Although they were helped a great deal by Pietersen and Flintoff. Now I know both are great players and match-winners, but clearly both of them pretty much gifted their wickets to Pakistan. Flintoff especially, going for the pull given the match situation at that time, really disappointed me.

Collingwood however played well. Like I said prior to the start of this test, he is a talented cricketer who somehow till now hasnt been able to make an impact in the test arena. Well today he showed exactly what he can do with the bat, playing some really elegant drives, making good use of his feet. He was lucky though with the Akhtar delivery, as replays clearly showed that the ball had picked up an edge on its way to the keeper.

For Pakistan it was a good day overall. Shoaib Malik dint bowl all that well, but did pick up three crucial wickets. Kaneria was dangerous at times, but I thought the England batsmen played him well. Shoaib Akhtar was average pretty much. Rana was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers imo. This lad has really impressed me, as he can vary his pace and length, and has a good yorker too.

It all now depends on Paul Collingwood. That tail (Udal, Plunkett, Hoggard and Harmison) can hang around there and support him. But Colly needs to get a hundred and try and take England past 325-350. I know its a tough ask, but England need to put up a good 1st innings total.

 

[andrew_nixon]

The umpires have been against the pakistanis the whole series... first they gave inzi out than yousaf and now this test match...

And gave Yousuf not out to a clear lbw in the second test. Plus there is absolutely no controversy over Yousuf's dismissal by Bell in the last test. Yousuf WALKED!!