***Official*** Pakistan and England in UAE

[Woodster]

The people criticising Misbah really have no grasp of how demoralising it would have been for England to get to stumps having only taken 5 wickets all day and facing the prospect of Misbah grinding them down further tomorrow. It might not be pretty and might not have blazed a massive lead for Pakistan, but had Misbah survived the day then his effort would have paid massive dividends on days 4 and 5.

If he'd scored his runs quicker then all it would have meant is that England would have broken into the tail quicker and might even be batting again. Ideally Misbah would have scored more, but give me a 50 scored at a snail's pace like today's innings over a flashy 20 or 30 any day of the week.

I thought in the context of today's play Misbah did a decent job, and while he shouldn't be absolved from any criticism about his innings, the Pakistan supporters should be pleased to have him in their side right now, and as the leader.

I do think though that when the whole team scores so slowly it doesn't take the game away from the opposition, and had they lost just five wickets all day you'd expect them to be in a much more advanced and dominant position than what they would have been. Though we would have been in deeper trouble mentally, had Misbah got through to the close of play.

 

[marc71178]

The only way the match will be decided tomorrow is if England have a shocker. Even if England have the ideal day, they'll go into day 4 250-300 runs to the good - England will have to have 3 excellent days to win the Test. Pakistan can afford a bit of a **** up tomorrow.

If England go into Day 4 300 up then I'd call it their game to be honest - but getting the last 3 wickets then scoring nigh on 400 runs in the day isn't happening.

 

[Furball]

If England go into Day 4 300 up then I'd call it their game to be honest - but getting the last 3 wickets then scoring nigh on 400 runs in the day isn't happening.

I don't think 300 would be anywhere near enough of a lead with 2 days to bat.

 

[Uppercut]

The people criticising Misbah really have no grasp of how demoralising it would have been for England to get to stumps having only taken 5 wickets all day and facing the prospect of Misbah grinding them down further tomorrow. It might not be pretty and might not have blazed a massive lead for Pakistan, but had Misbah survived the day then his effort would have paid massive dividends on days 4 and 5.

If he'd scored his runs quicker then all it would have meant is that England would have broken into the tail quicker and might even be batting again. Ideally Misbah would have scored more, but give me a 50 scored at a snail's pace like today's innings over a flashy 20 or 30 any day of the week.

You appear to have missed the memo: scoring runs quickly is always much, much better than scoring them slowly. Just because.

 

[Jacknife]

LOL just noticed the poll, at the start of the test, it was something like England 22 to Pakistan 11, my how a poor day changes things.

 

[Agent Nationaux]

There is a guy called Shane Watson (member since August) who has not made a single post but he did vote for Pakistan in that poll.

Jacknife, it's all the Aussies who were secretly pretending to be English and have now suddenly switched their allegiance. Surprisingly Burgey hasn't voted for Pakistan.

 

[GIMH]

Burgey is a ****, can you not mention his name please

 

[slowfinger]

You know I was thinking that all along. **** if I said that first I woulda got all the glory.... ****

 

[honestbharani]

you appear to have missed the memo: Scoring runs quickly is always much, much better than scoring them slowly. Just because.

 

[Burgey]

There is a guy called Shane Watson (member since August) who has not made a single post but he did vote for Pakistan in that poll.

Jacknife, it's all the Aussies who were secretly pretending to be English and have now suddenly switched their allegiance. Surprisingly Burgey hasn't voted for Pakistan.

Haven't voted for anyone tbh. Pretty uninspired by cricket in the UAE tbh. Dunno why.

But I did post that England would at best draw this series and it would mark their steady decline from an India-like period of five minutes of sunshine among decades of gloom. All this talk of "new england". Heard the same **** in 05 and they were **** again within 12 months.

Guess we wait and see.

 

[GIMH]

Haven't voted for anyone tbh. Pretty uninspired by cricket in the UAE tbh. Dunno why.

But I did post that blablablabla all anyone sees when they read my posts is blablablabla murray mints blablablabla.

AWTCA z

 

[Faisal1985]

Well England has bowled with big heart and have really stuck to their plan. Bowled professionally and good lines and lengths.

I am disappointed from Pakistan batting side of things. After a 100+ opening partnership 288/7 is a disappointment.

I mean Asad Shafiq is waste of a batting spot at the moment honestly, they need to pick Umar Akmal.
Plus i agree that against this batting line up of England Cheema will not be as successful. We need raw pace of Wahab/Talha or Junaid along with Gul to over come the conditions just like England.

At the moment we are at the mercy of Ajmal from bowling side of things to get us the important wickets

Umar Akmal imo should come back to replace Asad Shafiq and I would prefer to see Wahab back in the side over Cheema.

 

[Daemon]

Cheema bowled better than Gul, was getting the ball to move into the right handers at good pace.

 

[NasserFan207]

My god this smiley needs to be banned

 

[Pothas]

Following this test really is taking quite a lot of effort, about 10 different alarms going to be needed and there is still a good chance I will sleep through the first session.

 

[smash84]

My god this smiley needs to be banned

 

[Pothas]

So predictable that is is almost funny, its not though its ****ing anoying.

 

[smash84]

so predictable that is is almost funny, its not though its ****ing anoying.

 

[Prince EWS]

Scathing.

 

[Spark]

Quality tailend shot.

EDIT: Wow, the twist on the ankle there was a little painful to watch tstl.