***Official*** Pakistan in England

[silentstriker]

My mistake then, I thought that's exactly what they did do!

& when did you last see a bookmaker on a bike, eh?

Nevermind, I was thinking of a spread.

 

[TT Boy]

Pakistan to win looks very persuading going by those odds.

 

[Hanuma]

I'd be confident of an England win if we'd have occupied some time tommorrow.

I don't see any "likely" outcomes though. Anything can happen.

Probably already done this, but what would a 'best select XI' between Pakistan and England look like?

 

[pskov]

On the basis of this series alone:

Cook
Strauss*
Khan
Yousuf
Collingwood
Bell
Read+
Gul
Harmison
Panesar
Kaneria

 

[Swervy]

Since 1981.... only 2 drawn Headingley tests out of 22 tests.

From what I can work out, other than when England beat Aust in 2001, I think only one other team has ever scored more than 250 in the fourth innings, whether that be win lose or draw) in the last 50 years at Headingly.

323 in 90 overs at 3.6 an over with Inzy coming in at 7...I cant see a Pakistan win.
I am favouring the draw at the moment, a result which would be disapointing for England fater Pak were 30 odd for two in the first innings....and disapointing for pakistan after being 399-2 a day later

 

[no1_gangsta_786]

With only 3.6 runs needed an over it is time for the openers to really knuckle down and see off the new ball and after that batting will become easier as has been shown over the last couple of days. If they can get Pakistan off to a good start and Pakistan can get to tea with wickets in hand... depending on the score they could maybe hit out a bit more and put pressure on the english bowlers but that will only happen if the two openers give Pakistan a good solid start.

 

[Sanz]

I like Pakistan's chances, but I can't trust Md. Yusuf on fifth day of the test match against Panesar. So Predict england to go up 2-0.

 

[pskov]

With only 3.6 runs needed an over it is time for the openers to really knuckle down and see off the new ball and after that batting will become easier as has been shown over the last couple of days. If they can get Pakistan off to a good start and Pakistan can get to tea with wickets in hand... depending on the score they could maybe hit out a bit more and put pressure on the english bowlers but that will only happen if the two openers give Pakistan a good solid start.

I agree, if Pakistan can make it to Tea with 6 or 7 wickets in hand they will win, pretty much regardless of how many they need at that point. England will want to get wickets in the morning session when the ball is (hopefully) swinging.

 

[Beleg]

It will be interesting to see the approach adopted by Pakistan later today.

Will they try to hit out (ala Sri Lanka against South Africa at PSS Colombo) and put England on the defensive from the start or will they knuckle down and see off the new ball, either playing for a draw or gathering their resources for a final assault after tea?

Personally I would like to see the openers starting off positively. 110-2 after 20 overs is much better then 70-2 after thirty.

 

[PY]

A new ball due with ten overs left, if there's 7 down or something like that then it'll certainly make it interesting.

I agree with people who say that a draw is unlikely, we've had 300+ runs scored every day so far so only thing that could happen is Pakistan get into the tail and have no chance of winning so have to hold on. I'd say 40-40 on wins and 20 on a draw.

Gutted I can't make it tomorrow, had to have a major change of plans last minute though if it's 3-4 down at lunch then I may head up there for the last 1.5 sessions!

 

[PY]

110-2 after 20 overs is much better then 70-2 after thirty.

Well duh.

Would you take 110-2 after 20 or 70-0 after 30 as a Pakistan fan?

 

[Sanz]

As a neutral I would prefer a 90/1 with Umar Gone.

 

[Gloucefan]

I can't see a pakistan win but I can see why some of you fancy their chances. The pitch was doing more today I think 300+ is a big ask for the 4th innings.

 

[Swervy]

With only 3.6 runs needed an over it is time for the openers to really knuckle down and see off the new ball and after that batting will become easier as has been shown over the last couple of days. If they can get Pakistan off to a good start and Pakistan can get to tea with wickets in hand... depending on the score they could maybe hit out a bit more and put pressure on the english bowlers but that will only happen if the two openers give Pakistan a good solid start.

only 3.6 an over!!!! 3.6 an over will be tough on pretty much any 5th day pitch

 

[nightprowler10]

Exactly. Did you see the kind of bounce Umar Gul was getting out of the pitch today? Can you imagine what Harmison can do on a fifth day pitch? I'll be happy enough if Pakistan draw this, but I'd definitely like to see them try to chase it down.

BTW, if our openers pull a miracle stand of 50-80 runs, I'd fancy Pakistan's chances.

 

[Beleg]

Would you take 110-2 after 20 or 70-0 after 30 as a Pakistan fan?

As a cricket fan, I'd like the former.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I like Pakistan's chances, but I can't trust Md. Yusuf on fifth day of the test match against Panesar. So Predict england to go up 2-0.

How can you like Pakistan's chances and then expect them to lose?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Exactly. Did you see the kind of bounce Umar Gul was getting out of the pitch today? Can you imagine what Harmison can do on a fifth day pitch? I'll be happy enough if Pakistan draw this, but I'd definitely like to see them try to chase it down.

The problem is that Harmison is not going to take all 10, and is hardly reliable enough to take any at all on a given day. Then you have an under-par Hoggard and a crap Mahmood. Big effort needed from Panesar mefinks. At the moment he's England's most reliable bowler... unless Mahmood is considered reliably crap.

 

[social]

The problem is that Harmison is not going to take all 10, and is hardly reliable enough to take any at all on a given day. Then you have an under-par Hoggard and a crap Mahmood. Big effort needed from Panesar mefinks. At the moment he's England's most reliable bowler.

Having watched most of the cricket from Eng this summer, I'd say the least favoured result would be a draw.

The English bowling has been really inconsistent so it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Pak will walk it in.

Then again, Pak under pressure are not great so they may collapse in a screaming heap in the face of someone having their odd good day.

However, it's hard to believe that should Eng fail to take all ten that they'll be able to restrict Pak to scoring under 3.6 per over - Harmy, Mahmood and Hoggy just provide too many balls to hit at present.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Having watched most of the cricket from Eng this summer, I'd say the least favoured result would be a draw.

The English bowling has been really inconsistent so it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Pak will walk it in.

Then again, Pak under pressure are not great so they may collapse in a screaming heap in the face of someone having their odd good day.

However, it's hard to believe that should Eng fail to take all ten that they'll be able to restrict Pak to scoring under 3.6 per over - Harmy, Mahmood and Hoggy just provide too many balls to hit at present.

Only rain can prevent one of these teams from winning it. I just think England could have a big battle on their hands if they're the ones to win it. One thing is for sure, this bowling attack will not retain the Ashes. For that matter, this bowling attack plus Flintoff will not retain the Ashes.