Pakistan vs England in United Arab Emirates - October/November 2015

[War]

Come on. On the first 4 days of this test, no ball moved off the straight, there was absolutely no bounce and definitely no spin. Batters were playing everything off the back foot, knowing that even a full delivery from the spinner could be easily punched off the back foot with all the time in the world.

What's worse is that you couldn't even say 'well at least the run rates were high and it was exciting batting' because the slowness of the pitch meant that stroke play was difficult. Cook's shovelling technique was perfect for that pitch, but not many people play like him.

On the fifth day, Hafeez, Misbah and Younis (the three best players) had a brain storm. You can't say that the pitch got them out. For a couple of hours, all three of them made it look easy.

This pitch certainly needs the same punishment as the one Trent Bridge got last year.

My post did not dispute that the pitch needs condemnation. Yea PAK trio played bad shots and pressure of situation got to them, but Rashid & later Babar/Malik were starting to get turn at that point in the game that was non-existent on previous 4 days.

So the fact that some life for bowlers even occurred illustrates it wasn't a barren a road of a pitch like many other examples in test history.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

England should play one fast bowler less and a spinner more, which I've been saying since the start of the 5th Ashes test. Really happy for Ali Cook. I still think he's a terrible captain, but boy has he proved a point to people with the bat.

Someone around these forums was saying Jimmy could only bowl in conditions that suited him? I remember it was at the time of the Ashes I was having an argument with someone. That's as much a fast bowler can do on that road.

 

[Rehan_24]

Pitch turning out late surely can be a factor but believe you me Pakistan has the habit of panic in such situation and so what they did. It was kinda expected. Its more psychological with them rather than on-ground conditions and it is not new. Every team has a culture and it takes lot of work to adapt to new cultures and trends. Thankfully match is saved lol

 

[Aravind.]

What a test match!

 

[Excommunicado]

Aparrently Azhar Ali may miss the 2nd test match due to the passing away of his mother-in-law.

Hopefully Yasir Shah is fit to go and Pakistan's mystery selection is either Imad Wasim, Mohd Amir or Zafar Gohar. Zulfiqar Babar should not play.

 

[Rehan_24]

Aamir is having a powerhouse performance off-late in domestic cricket but some insecure players and egoistic media stuff don't want to allow him to play again despite serving punishment. Anyhow, He can be there after this series I hope

 

[Rehan_24]

Fantastic Knock by Misbah-Ul-Haq, Lead from the front. Younis and Misbah has once again proved that they are still the backbone of Team's middle order. A collapse was about to happen, Thanks to these two dependable players

 

[Dutch]

Surely surely Ian Bell's number is up now.....

 

[blockerdave]

Surely surely Ian Bell's number is up now.....

bigred will be along in a minute to praise him, don't worry.

 

[Markkkkk]

 

[bigred]

bigred will be along in a minute to praise him, don't worry.

Hang on a minute. Ian Bell played an uncharacteristically ugly innings in the last test which helped towards not losing the game being guaranteed. Are we really going to get the hump over one low score? Get a grip guys

 

[Dutch]

Hang on a minute. Ian Bell played an uncharacteristically ugly innings in the last test which helped towards not losing the game being guaranteed. Are we really going to get the hump over one low score? Get a grip guys

Sorry but that doesnt hold up: Ian Bell is averaging that of a half decent tailender playing at three ..on that note Jos Butler needs to concentrate on limited over games....the balance in this side is all wrong.... We rely on batsmans reputations rather than facts....Bell, Stokes and Butler....all talk, not much walk

 

[RUDI]

Misbah - Ul-Haq - must be one of the most under rated international batmen of his time, but always steady, solid and reliable. Good knock Misbah!

 

[blockerdave]

Hang on a minute. Ian Bell played an uncharacteristically ugly innings in the last test which helped towards not losing the game being guaranteed. Are we really going to get the hump over one low score? Get a grip guys

Sorry, I forgot that scoring a streaky, lucky 50 on an absolute road outweighs a 2 year average under 30.

 

[bigred]

This has been a pathetic morning. Test match basically gone.[DOUBLEPOST=1445671899][/DOUBLEPOST]

Sorry, I forgot that scoring a streaky, lucky 50 on an absolute road outweighs a 2 year average under 30.

If we're looking at form in the last few tests then Buttler is the first to be dropped. Taylor comes in for him, but then how many other good players do we have that can come in a do a decent job? I can't think of any.