*Official* Pakistan in England and Ireland 2016

[Niall]

Fantastic win from Pakistan, showed a lot of heart. I'd still back England to win the series, Stokes and obviously Anderson will help England hugely. Pakistan did a lot right this test, but their weaknesses are not going away anytime soon.

When was the last time a side without a worthwhile opener won a series in England?

 

[nightprowler10]

So do we go into the next match with three left armers again?

 

[91Jmay]

Congratulations to Pakistan, really good win. England very poor with the bat, same issues persist.

 

[weldone]

I think the first test is a wonderful betting opportunity. I think Pakistan has at least the same chance as England. England batting order has at least 3 black holes (Hales, Ballance, Vince). Their bowling is good - but James Anderson's absence will test them on this flat Lord's track against a very experienced middle-order. I'm expecting great things from Amir, and Yasir Shah can be quite handful against England's lower-middle order which is largely untested against top-quality spin at best (I'll really miss James Taylor for the first time).

4.5 is a great odd under these circumstances. I've grabbed it with both hands.

So I am very very happy for this.

This has been my most profitable bet ever - more profitable than Moeen being top-scorer (when he scored that 150+) and Nepal U19 beating NZ U19.

 

[fredfertang]

Thoroughly decent bloke Misbah - would prefer it if he were a bit of a **** tbh

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Well played Pakistan, outbatted, outbowled and outcaptained England there.

Hope the 2nd test and rest of the series is as entertaining.

 

[smash84]

So I am very very happy for this.

This has been my most profitable bet ever - more profitable than Moeen being top-scorer (when he scored that 150+) and Nepal U19 beating NZ U19.

Yes well done. I was thinking you must have made a killing.

 

[honestbharani]

Congrats to Pak and all Pak fans.. Been following the game simply for Yasir and am absolutely stoked for the guy. Expect England to come back hard.. Maybe change over Ball, Finn, Moeen for Stokes, Anderson and Rashid. That should really make them stronger IMO and I think we might see some made to order pitches hence forth. Dont expect any dry conditions again but it might backfire on England with Amir and Rahat looking the goods and Wahab always threatening to do Wahab stuff.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Bayliss hinting about a leggy for OT.

I'd be amazed after this is they don't produce a greentop but even so Rash for Moeen or Borthwick for Vince? Or both?

 

[91Jmay]

Borthers got a half century today. Him in for Vince, Anderson in for Finn. I reckon they will give Moeen one more go.

 

[Compton]

Borthwick for Vince
Anderson for Ball
Stokes for Finn

Strengthens the batting, and gives another spin option for Old Trafford.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Awesome from Pakistan. Well played.

 

[hendrix]

Nice for Mickey Arthur too. Gotta love a redemption story.

 

[hendrix]

Bayliss hinting about a leggy for OT.

I'd be amazed after this is they don't produce a greentop but even so Rash for Moeen or Borthwick for Vince? Or both?

Errr why do they want a leggy? Obvious statement is obvious, but they don't have anyone nearly as good as Yasir.

 

[YorksLanka]

wel done Pakistan, Congrats on a very good victory..I gather its the first time in 20 years that Pakistan have won at Lords? Excellent stuff. Well done to Woakes again who has showed what a good player he is..I think the 40 odd from Vince may have just given him another test but personally , am not sure if he is up to it yet.. Riaz bowled really well and deserved more than the one wicket he actually got..

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Errr why do they want a leggy? Obvious statement is obvious, but they don't have anyone nearly as good as Yasir.

I think Bayliss has always wanted a leggie but the selectors won't pick one. Rashid bowls far too many fourballs. Borthwick is not anywhere near test quality bowling wise.

But then neither is Moeen.

 

[Gob]

Jimmy A ASAP

 

[Howe_zat]

Yasir really showed us what a quality spinner can do for an attack, when we had Pakistan three or four down there was always an old ball partnership while the attack could regroup. Pakistan's bowlers could just keep it coming. Difference between the sides right there.

While England have a lot of potential candidates to assist their middle order, not least bringing in Stokes for Finn to revert to the kind of safety in numbers that has seen them win a few series lately, it is very hard to see the spin question being answered any time soon.

 

[Howe_zat]

Jimmy A ASAP

Him and Stokes back next week should strengthen the bowling and the batting for the next test, together with that and moving away from Lord's and onto some conditions that should suit the home side, I'm actually still pretty confident about the series.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Nasser was saying after the game that they're not 100% on Jimmy but Stokes is already cleared to play.

They won't risk Jimmy unless 110%