*Official* Pakistan in England and Ireland 2016

[Niall]

Making Azhar open again would still open up a middle order spot, so they could bring back Umar either way.

I kind of hope they don't go back to Hafeez but he was dropped here more due to really struggling on the tour than actually struggling recently in ODIs, too. He'll probably come back into the mix after this tour is over, particularly if he can get his new action cleared.

Oh...

Next series for them is v West Indies, so Hafeez v Narine, hello ICC

 

[Howe_zat]

Anyway contrary to popular belief Azhar is doing fine here. England will only keep a lid on it if they take wickets. Stokes probably the key there, having the 4th seamer in should make getting on top of England much harder for Pakistan.

 

[mr_mister]

Hussain made a really good point about Pakistan going dot, dot, dot, six, dot, dot

instead of just hitting 6 risk-free singles

 

[mr_mister]

Why?

Woakes also has the England record for most Test wickets in a series vs Pakistan

because Woakes gets to play a lot more cricket than those from the pre-ODI era

 

[mr_mister]

Safraz looking very busy and confident. Could be a solid innings if he keeps his head

 

[mr_mister]

far out they're really treating this like a test match

 

[Howe_zat]

Plunkers' allround renaissance continues

 

[grecian]

Are our fast bowlers our best fielders here?

 

[weldone]

Mohammad Rizwan will play well in this situation. He's the perfect no. 6 Pakistan wants.

 

[Howe_zat]

Are our fast bowlers our best fielders here?

Probably the case, though Roy has his moments. Bairstow would be up there if he wasn't keeping, irritatingly

 

[Howe_zat]

Should bring Plunkett back on for the new batsman.

 

[weldone]

Umar-Azhar-Babar-Sarfraz-Malik-Rizwan-Imad this should be Pakistan's top 7 imo

 

[Howe_zat]

That's a mint delivery from Rashid, he does trot them out on occaision

 

[Stace]

Yeah that was a brilliant ball, the drift was what done the batsman.

 

[weldone]

How much is the ball spinning?

 

[Howe_zat]

How much is the ball spinning?

Somewhere between 'a smidge' and 'a skerrick'

 

[weldone]

Somewhere between 'a smidge' and 'a skerrick'

Lol how are the Pakistani batsmen struggling against Adil and Moeen on such a pitch? That's something new.

 

[Howe_zat]

Narrow range coming in to bite Azhar then. They need 8 an over to get a decent score here, but you've got to have more oomph than that to make it work.

His range is pretty good for the first 35 overs. The other bit needs work

 

[Howe_zat]

Lol how are the Pakistani batsmen struggling against Adil and Moeen on such a pitch? That's something new.

They've both bowled well today, good flight and accuracy.

 

[Prince EWS]

I think it's the best I've seen them bowl as a pair, and the best I've seen Moeen specifically bowl in any format for ages. Really good stuff.