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

[Jarquis]

Tempted by England 1-0 or 2-0 or 1-1 @ 1.76

 

[Howe_zat]

Seems pretty safe.

 

[Jarquis]

Yeah, I can't see us failing to win a Test and I can't see Pakistan winning two

 

[theegyptian]

you want Tremlett. seems super risky

guy didn't bat in the first innings because of his eye infection, bowled with sunglasses today and this is his first match for 169 days. Couple that with his questionable injury record and relative lack of experience in Asia compared to even Finn and I see this being a pretty big gamble. Obviously I have no idea what he's been doing in the nets etc and he may have been bowling full on for a couple of months and ready to go but that seems unlikely. All things being equal I'd go with Tremlett in the first test over Finn or Onions but currently I see it as a pretty big risk to play a guy whose going to be rusty.

 

[Prince EWS]

In a test match? No way. He's part-time quality.

Used to be slightly better but his bowling has tailed off.

Reckon his bowling has actually improved rather than tailed off; he's a bit quicker these days for a start.

Agree with the sentiment of him probably not being good enough to bowl first change should England play two spinners though. The only way England should think about playing two spinners is if the track is going to turn so much that you'd want to bring Swann on first change, tbh.

 

[Prince EWS]

He'd open the bowling for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

I honestly do reckon he's a better bowler than some of the blokes who have opened up for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh lately. Bangladesh at least.

 

[Jacknife]

Reckon his bowling has actually improved rather than tailed off; he's a bit quicker these days for a start.

Agree with the sentiment of him probably not being good enough to bowl first change should England play two spinners though. The only way England should think about playing two spinners is if the track is going to turn so much that you'd want to bring Swann on first change, tbh.

Agree with that, the one thing that has improved is his bowling, bowls low 80's now and can get the ball to reverse. Still wouldn't want to rely on it other than filling in till the new ball and to give the odd break to the fast bowlers.

 

[Howe_zat]

Half centuries this morning and finally some healthy progress. Wonder whether giving Bell/KP a bat today or setting a target is the priority.

 

[Daemon]

Good move to let Trott open. He should retire soon though and let Morgan and Bell get time in the middle. Should leave about 40 odd overs to bowl at the PCB XI which should be enough to give the bowlers a good workout and at the same time leave a small window of opportunity to get a win.

 

[Jacknife]

It looks like KP wanted to save his run scoring for the real stuff:

Yasir Shah to Pietersen, OUT, going for a wild slog, top edge straight to the slip fielder.

Has KP ever scored many runs in warm up games, I can't remember too many.

Trott will be gutted he missed out on a Ton but still good match practice.

 

[Howe_zat]

Lunchtime declaration, so the intent is to go for the win. Think it's probably a good move. Plus, Swann needs a run out as much as Bell or Morgan.

 

[Daemon]

Shah taking all 3. 60 overs to chase 250, England should be able to win this.

 

[Daemon]

49.3 to Trott, good low catch diving forward. 181/3

Mind telling us what shot he played or where the fielder was?

 

[Jacknife]

Onions & Tremlett struck early, nice.
Onions looks to have found his rhythm here, another down. Now he's lost it, expensive the last couple of overs.

 

[Howe_zat]

Five wickets to get in the final session then. England should have this with Fawad gone, but they're yet to finish anyone off properly on this tour.

Either way, a much improved showing over the last couple of days.

 

[Xuhaib]

very disappointing effort by the batsmen once again really shows the thin batting talent available in the country.

 

[Jacknife]

Yes just 4 wickets to go, with Tremlett picking one up with his 3rd ball after tea, really good day from the lads. Swann is wicket less so far but they haven't hit him off the square it seems, going at 1.5 rpo.

 

[smash84]

very disappointing effort by the batsmen once again really shows the thin batting talent available in the country.

awta......let us hope the seniors do a bit better

 

[Jarquis]

Swann finally gets a wicket after Monty and KP have already done so..

 

[Prince EWS]

Good to see Fawad hit 50. Dire to see him get out to Pietersen.

Looks like the pitch might've been a bit of a turner though in general.