***Official*** England in Pakistan

[shaka]

is that Udal's 2nd test wicket now?

 

[ClownSymonds]

is that Udal's 2nd test wicket now?

Yeah. His first was also Butt. I guess he can now claim him as his bunny.

 

[Beleg]

I think Pakistan are digging their own grave by slowing the tempo of the game so much. England won't mind that. The lead isn't astronomical, and this overly cautious approach by the batters means that they can afford to attack aggresively and generally control the flow of the game.

 

[andyc]

Inzamam walks in to bat
Inzi looks very unhappy with Hair

And Shaka, yes it is his second test wicket. His average is now 80, which is better only than that of Trescothick (155) and Vaughan (89.5).

 

[wpdavid]

I think Pakistan are digging their own grave by slowing the tempo of the game so much. England won't mind that. The lead isn't astronomical, and this overly cautious approach by the batters means that they can afford to attack aggresively and generally control the flow of the game.

You're absolutely right. At this rate, pakistan wouldn't be able to declare until too late on day 5, whereas if they did lose a couple of quick wickets they'd still be catchable. Still, Afridi could change all that. As could Yousuf, I guess.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Anyone else on Cricinfo? It's gone nuts, keeps skipping back and forward.

 

[Zinzan]

I can't see the pictures here in NZ.....but looking at the scorecard and seeing that Pakistan are going at just 2.48 per over is a disappointment....I take it they have either decided to bat out for a draw (given they are 1 up) or they are hoping to set a foundation and have Afridi go beserk late today and early tomorrow...but you'd have to say 2.5 an over is pretty damn average !!

 

[andyc]

Anyone else on Cricinfo? It's gone nuts, keeps skipping back and forward.

Yeah I know, I've given up on it.

 

[ClownSymonds]

Looks like Inzi might just have been compensated for his first innings dismissal. He came very close to being out LBW here.

 

[nightprowler10]

I would've given Inzi out on that one, but the decision wasn't as obvious as the commentators made it out to be. The ball hit the pads on the line of off-stump but it almost looked as if it hit just outside the off-stump, in which case it would've been not out. It was a tough call to make and Taufel gave the batsman benefit of the doubt.

 

[Beleg]

This decision was pretty similiar to Butt's. Could have gone either way.

 

[ClownSymonds]

This decision was pretty similiar to Butt's. Could have gone either way.

Butt's looked plumb.

 

[nehrafan]

I don't think a result is possible in this test match unless Pak batting collapse

 

[Beleg]

Well, with the angle, the ball keeping low (it struck his pads in front of leg/middlish-leg) and Udal getting barely any spin, there's a smidgen of a chance that the ball might be missing leg-stump by a fraction. (Though playing back didn't help at all in his case)

Honestly, I personally found Inzy's appeal to be far more 'plumb' than Butt's. But than again I am probably baised in the favour of fast-bowlers rapping the batsmen on the pads at the off-stump. (Too many batsmen get away with the 'might have hit a milimeter outside off-stump rule IMHO)

 

[Jono]

Flintoff strikes. Yousuf out. Pakistan better be careful here. In comes Afridi, anything could happen now.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Butt looked nailed on dead to me - and Inzy looked instantly outside the line.

I usualliy get very excited when England hit the pads - and I'm very fond of giving LBWs when I'm umpiring - but I never thought for a second that looked anything other than outside the line.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Yes!!!

Game On!!!

 

[Neil Pickup]

LOL @ the Pakistani supporters all going home.

Sing when you're winning, you only sing when you're winning... must feel so bad to be Kamran walking out as the stadium empties.

 

[Beleg]

Well, well...

A pretty good ball there by Flintoff. Some nice bowling.

Going into a test match with a 7 man batting line-up = does not work 4 times in a row.

 

[Jono]

LOL @ the Pakistani supporters all going home.

Sing when you're winning, you only sing when you're winning... must feel so bad to be Kamran walking out as the stadium empties.

Just like the Ashes bandwagon that developed in England eh?

But seirously, LMAO @ the whole stadium emptying. That is amazing. Afridi = ratings, Kamran Akmal on the other hand obviously doesn't. Poor bloke.

I remember Pathan removing Steve Waugh in his last test late in the day, and everyone leaving. But this is completely on another level.

Freddy has certainly made this game interesting again!!!