Pakistan in England/Scotland 2006

[evertonfan]

Like I expected the match has been drawn. Good batting by Pakistan in the end.

Yep, well played Pakistan, although after our performance in this test I have come to the obvious conclusion that there was one thing missing, Flintoff. If he finds his feet quickly in teh second test, then I think ENgland can win it, and also go on to win the series; Pakistan just don't look that good as a bowling side without Akhtar. They also missed Rana too.

Yes, but Younis Khan is a better Fielder and Batsmen, usually at Silly Point or Slip. (Where Iqbal was fielding) And Iqbal had a better Batting experience then Butt.

BTW, whats the Pitch like at Manchester?

Hard and fast, and occasionally green, but it also helps the spinners. The second test should be a less batsman dominated game because there is generally something for everyone at Old Trafford.

 

[andrew_nixon]

My England XI for the next test:

1. Marcus Trescothick
2. Andrew Strauss
3. Alistair Cook
4. Kevin Pietersen
5. Paul Collingwood
6. Andrew Flintoff
7. Ian Bell
8. Chris Read
9. Matthew Hoggard
10. Steve Harmisson
11. Monty Panesar

 

[evertonfan]

My England XI for the next test:

1. Marcus Trescothick
2. Andrew Strauss
3. Alistair Cook
4. Kevin Pietersen
5. Paul Collingwood
6. Andrew Flintoff
7. Ian Bell
8. Chris Read
9. Matthew Hoggard
10. Steve Harmisson
11. Monty Panesar

Interesting squad selection; just 3 bowlers and Flintoff?

I'd love to see that squad play on Thursday week though.

 

[nightprowler10]

Interesting day of cricket. From a Pakistani point of view, Strauss should be made captain. He seemed to go on the defensive last night when he should've attacked. Jones was told to play slow and just stay in, what for! Just score as many runs as you can with 4 wickets left and let Pakistan play. Pakistan would've had to deal with two new balls against one of the best new ball bowlers from either side.

Pakistan played well today, openers being the painful exception. Faisal Iqbal played much better than I expected him to. Inzi and MoYo had more trouble against Monty's spin than Iqbal. I wish he had attacked Monty more, but that's okay, he did what was expected of him. Salman Butt and Imran Farhat are useless. Farhat was even worse in the field, must've dropped atleast two.

I hope Iqbal doesn't get dropped for Younis Khan. I'd much rather see one of the openers dropped.

BTW, well played Yousuf, and congratulations to him for his fourth double.

 

[usy]

I think They should kick Iqbal out, and there was no point of him anyway. Younis should be back next test, I hope Akhtar is back for 3rd test.

 

[andrew_nixon]

Interesting squad selection; just 3 bowlers and Flintoff?

Yep. I think that used properly, Pietersen, Collingwood and Bell will make up for the lack of a 5th bowler.

 

[usy]

My England XI for the next test:

1. Marcus Trescothick
2. Andrew Strauss
3. Alistair Cook
4. Kevin Pietersen
5. Paul Collingwood
6. Andrew Flintoff
7. Ian Bell
8. Chris Read
9. Matthew Hoggard
10. Steve Harmisson
11. Monty Panesar

lol, good to see a change in wicketkeeper.

 

[nightprowler10]

I think They should kick Iqbal out, and there was no point of him anyway. Younis should be back next test, I hope Akhtar is back for 3rd test.

No way. It has to be between Farhat and Butt. As I've said before, Iqbal played very well. I thought he was pretty good in picking up Harmison's quick bouncers, something Yousuf struggled with.

And yes, I really do hope Akhtar is back by the third test. I seriously doubt England could've scored so much in the first inning had Akhtar been bowling, even with all the dropped catches.

Bowling will be a concern for the next test as well. Any thoughts on who should bowl in the next test? I think we should try that Niazi guy, he's supposed to be very Asif-like, so he might be a good replacement for Sami.

Yep. I think that used properly, Pietersen, Collingwood and Bell will make up for the lack of a 5th bowler.

Especially Pietersen. After watching him today, I have to say I'm surprised he isn't used more often.

 

[usy]

If so kick Salman butt out because Farhat usually makes more runs then him, Iftikhar Anjum should be tried in place of Sami,

 

[angryangy]

I think England could have played more forcefully for a result there, in batting Pakistan out of the game, they batted themselves out. A good spinner like Panesar can work on several batsmen, but it takes time, time which England didn't give themselves. Sure, it would have been quite possible for Pakistan to chase 300, but who knows how they would have played once they felt the pressure.

I'm sure England fancy their chances at Old Trafford and Headingley. They could have afforded to risk losing at Lords.

 

[nightprowler10]

If so kick Salman butt out because Farhat usually makes more runs then him, Iftikhar Anjum should be tried in place of Sami,

Anjum, IMO, is just as bad as Sami, atleast from what I have seen.

 

[barmyarmy]

My England XI for the next test:

1. Marcus Trescothick
2. Andrew Strauss
3. Alistair Cook
4. Kevin Pietersen
5. Paul Collingwood
6. Andrew Flintoff
7. Ian Bell
8. Chris Read
9. Matthew Hoggard
10. Steve Harmisson
11. Monty Panesar

If you read back a few pages that was my team. I was arguing that we could drop Plunkett for Flintoff and still have the same balance we had for the Lords test. Let's just make sure Collingwood bowls medium pace and not off spin though!

 

[Pak_cricketer]

Niazi will be tried out in againest Northampton.

Im starting to think both players (Butt and Iqbal) are going to get dropped for Taufeeq Umar and Younis Khan

 

[Skater]

My team is similar:

1. Marcus Trescothick
2. Alistair Cook
3. Andrew Strauss
4. Ian Bell
5. Kevin Pietersen
6. Andrew Flintoff
7. Paul Collingwood
8. Chris Read
9. Matthew Hoggard
10. Steve Harmison
11. Monty Panesar

 

[nightprowler10]

The commentators were saying that Bell might be dropped for Flintoff.