***Official*** England in Pakistan

[marc71178]

Yep...Freddy won them the ashes but lost them the ....whatever this trophy is called

I think that's very harsh to blame it on one man.

The 5th morning at Multan was the key period - that is when this series was lost.

 

[ClownSymonds]

Also, they overdid the short stuff. Very few of the bouncers really forced the batsmen to play and yorkers seemed strangely absent as well. (I counted three?)

The one really good yorker bowled at pace was chopped to the square leg boundary for 4 by Shoaib Akhtar. Total domination of England by Pakistan. Truly wonderful. Probably the worst day for an England fan in years.

 

[ClownSymonds]

It was stupid of Vaughan to bring Harmison on and have him bowl bouncers at the batsmen after the light had gone bad. That was the best time for England to take a wicket, and doing what he did only prompted the umpires to let the batsmen change their minds and walk off. Maybe England just wanted to go back to the hotel.

 

[nightprowler10]

Nice to see England fans taking this gracefully. Hats off to you. Just remember though, it ain't over till its over. Hoping for Yousuf's double century tomorrow.

 

[sqwerty]

I think that's very harsh to blame it on one man.

The 5th morning at Multan was the key period - that is when this series was lost.

maybe .....Can't remember what happened there though.

I think England will be busting their guts just to draw this match.

If they're facing 100 overs on days 4 and 5 I think they'll get bowled out. Already looks like the deck is starting to play a few tricks

 

[simmy]

A series defeat looms!

England have got to be utterly gutted, especially squandering a really decent position in the first test.

Well played Pakistan, barring a miracle, its a series win!

Interesting to see Pakistan come over here in the Summer... if they beat England in ENgland then that really is an achievement!

 

[sqwerty]

It was stupid of Vaughan to bring Harmison on and have him bowl bouncers at the batsmen after the light had gone bad. That was the best time for England to take a wicket, and doing what he did only prompted the umpires to let the batsmen change their minds and walk off. Maybe England just wanted to go back to the hotel.

The umpires actually asked the batsmen the second time and they took it. The umpires didn't make them come off.

 

[ClownSymonds]

The umpires actually asked the batsmen the second time and they took it. The umpires didn't make them come off.

That's pretty much what I said.

 

[sqwerty]

That's pretty much what I said.

yeah sort of misread it....but I'm sure the last thing Vaughan was thinking about was the opportunity to take a wicket....more like hit one of the *******s that kept him out in the field all day in the head and get out of there

 

[Neil Pickup]

maybe .....Can't remember what happened there though.

I think England will be busting their guts just to draw this match.

If they're facing 100 overs on days 4 and 5 I think they'll get bowled out. Already looks like the deck is starting to play a few tricks

What happened was we fell in a huge heap chasing sub-200 to win.

 

[Neil Pickup]

The one really good yorker bowled at pace was chopped to the square leg boundary for 4 by Shoaib Akhtar. Total domination of England by Pakistan. Truly wonderful. Probably the worst day for an England fan in years.

Doubtful. The Lord's Test day two/three felt worse.

 

[Goldberg]

After losing 2-0 (1-0 in case of a miracle in batting) against Pakistan,England should expect nothing but a 3-0 white-wash at the hands of India next year.This side has currently the weakest middle-order amongst the test playing nation (excluding the minnows).All they rely on is their opening pair (which is probably the best one in the world currently) & Flintoff.With sub-standard spinners & such a weak middle order,they should fly to India next year not aiming to win but to lose 3-0.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

After losing 2-0 (1-0 in case of a miracle in batting) against Pakistan,England should expect nothing but a 3-0 white-wash at the hands of India next year.This side has currently the weakest middle-order amongst the test playing nation (excluding the minnows).All they rely on is their opening pair (which is probably the best one in the world currently) & Flintoff.With sub-standard spinners & such a weak middle order,they should fly to India next year not aiming to win but to lose 3-0.

Thanks for the laugh.

 

[Scaly piscine]

What happened was we fell in a huge heap chasing sub-200 to win.

Yep, the series simply came down to that, when England have been playing away from the sub-continent they've had the chance to redeem themselves for the awful, brain-dead, kamikaze batting. But there have been 3 draw wickets really, the bowlers gave England's batsmen a chance to win one of them, the batsmen flopped in giving the bowlers a chance to win this one.

 

[ClownSymonds]

All they rely on is their opening pair (which is probably the best one in the world currently) & Flintoff.

I think you're forgetting about Hayden and Langer.

 

[Kweek]

I think you're forgetting about Hayden and Langer.

where were they in the ashes then ?

 

[Jono]

Shoaib Akhtar, night watchman, the only wicket of the day. Wow.

Great innings by Akmal, and Yousuf has rode his luck but I love watching him bat. Both guys were playing some sensational cover and off drives. Lovely stuff. Pakistan in a dominant position now.

 

[Top_Cat]

You'd be perfectly justified. I've had a sneaking feeling ever since the Ashes that we had a hiding somewhere just around the corner - it wouldn't be English cricket if we didn't. You'd be perfectly justified in laughing at our performances this series, we've been terrible for the most part. God knows what'll happen if we're this bad in India.

I distinctly remember getting bagged for saying that England may well suffer an 'Ashes hang-over' (aside from the alcoholic ones!) and saying Pakistan would provide some pretty stern opposition. It was always going to be a tough series and now appears as if it'll be a near white-wash.

Yousuf; well done. He's had plenty of luck in this knock but I've always thought pretty highly of him since I first saw him so it's great to see him do well. He'll be happy with the knock overall but more about how he's just stayed out there, even when he knows he's not playing all that well. An 'ugly innings' so to speak. All the best players can do it when they need to.

Akmal; excellent stuff. Highly impressive 'keeper who took two stunners in this match already and the guy can really bat. Plus, he has a very orthodox technique so I'd suggest he could probably do well with the willow on just about any surface against any kind of attack. If he realises just how good he is, he may eventually be one of the top batsmen in world cricket eventually. I definitely think he could make the top 10 at any given time in the rankings if he has the opportunity. As it stands, I think he'll be the best 'keeper/batsman in the world within 5 years.

 

[marc71178]

maybe .....Can't remember what happened there though.

Pathetic batting when chasing a small target.

 

[marc71178]

This side has currently the weakest middle-order amongst the test playing nation (excluding the minnows).All they rely on is their opening pair (which is probably the best one in the world currently) & Flintoff.

So that will be why Bell and Pietersen both have tons and Collingwood (only in as a reserve) nearly got one then?