My Review of the Day
Well, the toss was won by Inzi and frankly a lot of my nerves were settled, I really didn't fancy Pakistan batting last on this wicket. The start was very positive, Butt showed that there's certainly more to his game than the studious (yet correct) approach that he showed in Multan. Malik also looked like he was in business, though England never really let Pakistan 'fly away' with the run rate.
First Wicket: Harmison bowled a decent delivery, it was really quite an ambitious stroke to be attempting but I guess the angle was the thing that did for him.
Second Wicket: Younis hasn't really looked himself all series, the bubbly nature that he showed in India seems missing and this shot reflected his anxiousness to get runs, again good pressure by England
Third Wicket: Malik got a little carried away with the attack approach and the sixes off Giles probably tempted him to play such an expansive shot, but what a catch by Flintoff. It was even better than the one by Collingwood in the Natwest Series.
Then came consolidation, Yousuf was as good as he was bad in the previous match. It was pleasing to see that he was focused on the building of the partenrship rather than playing those elegant drives and flicks we so regularly associate with Yousuf. Inzi remained quite sedate after the break while Yousuf piled on the runs and agony for England, those three fours off Hoggard's one over was quite brilliant.
Bell's inclusion into the attack was quite possibly the first sign of desperation from England and it turned out to be quite a good move. I won't debate the nature of the catch, it was just pure brilliance from Bell to react in such a way. Anyway it brought Afridi and the crowd went nuts. I won't say much about his innings but I think those who haven't really followed Pak's performance over the last year or so will note the improvement in Afridi, particularly in playing those straight shots.
Tommorow's day will be fascinating but surely Afridi's onslaught holds more mental weight than what it is in runs.