Can Pakistan defend the target of 297 runs to level the 3-match series against England?

[BouncerGuy]

Can Pakistan's bowling lineup rise to the occasion and defend a 297-run target to even out the series?

With the pitch showing some signs of wear, the spinners could play a crucial role in the middle overs.

Sajid Khan and Noman will be key players to watch as Pakistan aims to secure a victory and level the series!

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Ain't that the age old question.

Sajid needs another masterclass

 

[aukhan]

Zahid and Noman need to share the burden. We can’t just rely on Sajid to replicate the same performance.

 

[ataullah]

Pakistan are favourites but find a way to lose more often than not. If England get off to a strong start the losing streak will make Pak do funny things under pressure. Duckett is a massive wicket. Game will depend on Duckett

 

[Buffet]

297 is very defendable here with ball turning and it's being reused pitch.

I don't think any score like that has been chased at any venue in Asia.

Pakistan got this.

 

[Josh]

Should be easy without any huff and puff

 

[batandballbattle]

All the momentum is with them
The key will be to keep it simple in those problem areas of the pitch and let the cracks and patches do the work for you
If they go hunting for wickets too much they risk playing into their hands, which can ill be afforded given England can take the game away from you in just one session

 

[Buffet]

Pakistan are favourites but find a way to lose more often than not. If England get off to a strong start the losing streak will make Pak so funny things under pressure. Duckett is a massive wicket. Game will depend on Duckett

Even if 100/1 , I would think Pakistan will be in strong position to win due to nature of pitch and it's being 4th inning. They need to not feel hopeless with any partnership. 1 wicket will bring many more.

Just don't give free hits and play the game same way they have been playing in this test. Don't go back to going through motion even for 2-3 overs.

 

[PakFan2010]

If they can't defend this score, they should retire.

 

[Double Trouble]

I do think PAK are still 30 short the wicket has got better to bat.

All eyes on our 3 musketeers Saj, Chach & part time part time Zaid

 

[FearlessRoar]

YES its coming home

 

[Buffet]

Pakistan got this. Need 8 wickets.

I was a bit dissapointed by field placement. I mean, Eng was 2 down, last few overs and yet not surrounded by fielders. It was puzzling.

Only way Eng can pull this off if Pakistan stops having faith in themselves.

 

[sweep_shot]

They should and are likely to win by 100+ runs.

 

[jnaveen1980]

There is nowhere england getting anywhere close to Pakistan's 297 target. Congrats Pakistan. Sajid khan has done it for Pakistan finally. What a champion performance. Landmark performance.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Highest targets chased by England away from home:

• 332 vs Australia, Melbourne, 1928
• 305 vs New Zealand, Christchurch, 1997
• 297 vs Australia, Melbourne, 1895
• 282 vs Australia, Melbourne, 1908

Easy win coming up.

 

[The_KING]

I don't trust Pakistan to defend anything these days, especially with Shan Masood as the captain.

 

[Rana]

This partnership of Root and Pope is the key. Only they can tackle the threat of spin properly to take England as close as possible. Then the lower order (if needing 100 odd with 5 wickets) can make a dash for it

 

[Buffet]

I don't trust Pakistan to defend anything these days, especially with Shan Masood as the captain.

He was poor in field placement in the last 5-6 overs. It was a time to surround Eng batsmen. Having said that it's 90-10 chance for Pakistan. 90 only given how poor Pakistan has been in recent times, otherwise it will be much higher.

 

[Master Blaster]

The Brits can't withstand the mental pressure of chasing runs in fourth innings on a spinning Asian pitch.
Series 1-1

 

[zaidihusain]

It's still 70:30 in favour of England. Pakistan really need to bowl in right areas and right field placement is really important. 2 or 3 small partnerships for England will take them to victory. Anyways we will see the result tomorrow

 

[gibsyhesperis]

In the entire history of Test cricket there have only been about 40 odd run chases in the fourth innings of 300 and above.
On this wicket, Pakistan should win……”should” is doing an awful lot of heavy lifting here though

 

[Buffet]

It's still 70:30 in favour of England. Pakistan really need to bowl in right areas and right field placement is really important. 2 or 3 small partnerships for England will take them to victory. Anyways we will see the result tomorrow

No way. Pakistan should take this.

 

[Asif321]

Imagine winning after years without our marketing team Bobbie and Eagle. Ramiz gonna have a really bad day

 

[Buffet]

Even with 100/2, I will back Pakistan to win this.

Wickets will come in bunch.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Should've tried Zahid after Sajid was going for runs before close tonight.

 

[Buffet]

Entire Eng batting line up knows only one way to play spin on turning tracks.

Sweep.

Block that option and they don't know how to play spin.

 

[shokz1408]

1–1

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Pakistan's chances of winning are 90%, and the spinners are looking good.

 

[Itachi]

I told you guys, with nothing to lose, Pakistan as a cornered tiger will shine. And that is what happened here!

Cornered tiger will Roarrrrrrrrr

 

[atreus]

until Root pulls a Lara, Pakistan will win.

tho, can never count England out until Root and Brook are gone, so be cautiously optimistic.

 

[Ab Fan]

Pakistani fans :- I hope Root scores a ton but Pakistan wins the match

 

[SportsWarrior]

they can easily defend this target. Remember, England is prone to collapses? they can go from 200/2 to 230 all-out.. They are extremely fragile batting unit. Keep pushing for win and play aggressively. best of luck.

 

[Xoib]

I don’t trust this current team have been battered and bruised so much so unless I see all 10 wickets falling I will not celebrate

 

[TheSultan]

They will not win with such defensive field placings. Last couple of overs over the day, Root and Pope desperate to survive to the close and you only have a slip and short leg?


Someone overnight needs to fix their tactics.

 

[TheSultan]

Pakistani fans :- I hope Root scores a ton but Pakistan wins the match

We’re not India

 

[m.shah]

If any team can loose it from here it's Pakistan.They are chokers

 

[Kroll]

If any team can loose it from here it's Pakistan.They are chokers

No doubt, won't believe it till I see it, Pak are ultimate mental midgets.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

They will not win with such defensive field placings. Last couple of overs over the day, Root and Pope desperate to survive to the close and you only have a slip and short leg?


Someone overnight needs to fix their tactics.

Root is the main threat

 

[The Bald Eagle]

But they have chased some 370 plus target recently against India in the 4th Innings

The Brits can't withstand the mental pressure of chasing runs in fourth innings on a spinning Asian pitch.
Series 1-1

 

[Nikhil_cric]

But they have chased some 370 plus target recently against India in the 4th Innings

That was not in Asia

 

[hur rizvi]

Pakistan are completely capable of losing from here specially with such a dumb captain at the helm.

 

[TheSultan]

Pakistan are completely capable of losing from here specially with such a dumb captain at the helm.

Only Pakistan can lose from here. Anyone remember old trafford 2020?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Only Pakistan can lose from here. Anyone remember old trafford 2020?

Woakes played a blinder but now England dont have a strong lower order. Its up to Root and Stokes tomorrow imo but it will be shocking if Pak dont win this now.

Imo it will be all over before tea with a Pak win.

 

[Josh]

Only Pakistan can lose from here. Anyone remember old trafford 2020?

In these conditions almost no chance. Someone from England will have to play an atg innings to pull this off

 

[gibsyhesperis]

But they have chased some 370 plus target recently against India in the 4th Innings

Not on a spinning Asian wicket

 

[TeymurBlake]

With Joe Root still at the crease, I do tend to worry for Pakistan. However get his wicket & you do relieve some pressure.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistan have never lost more than 6 consecutive Test matches in a row. All signs pointing to a memorable win in Multan

 

[Xoib]

Another 50 runs and we would have shut the door on England the usual culprits Shafiq and Shan failed again

 

[emranabbas]

I

Pakistani fans :- I hope Root scores a ton but Pakistan wins the match

Think that's just in indian heads

Nobody In Pakistan really cares about root or Tendulkar

 

[Master Blaster]

But they have chased some 370 plus target recently against India in the 4th Innings

Shaan kaaar lega.

 

[Ab Fan]

I

Think that's just in indian heads

Nobody In Pakistan really cares about root or Tendulkar

Maybe but in this forum, most Pakistani fans care. Their whole focus after the last test was on how long till Root goes past Sachin’s runs tally rather than the consecutive home losses.

 

[Savak]

Pitch is slow, bounce low with the odd ball spinning but it's not impossible to deal with. The pitch is not a rank turning minefield which you frequently see in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

If England start of well tomorrow and Pakistan's spinners fail to make significant inroads, Pakistan could easily panic. We are on a 6 test match losing streak and that will play a role as well.

 

[Bewal Express]

England shouldn't get 180 on this pitch. Just patience needed

 

[hur rizvi]

Pitch is slow, bounce low with the odd ball spinning but it's not impossible to deal with. The pitch is not a rank turning minefield which you frequently see in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

If England start of well tomorrow and Pakistan's spinners fail to make significant inroads, Pakistan could easily panic. We are on a 6 test match losing streak and that will play a role as well.

Exactly if root and Pope are still there after first hour I'm sure Pakistan will panic and might have to revert to Zahid who will release the pressure further

 

[hur rizvi]

If either Sajid or noman have an off day tomorrow and Pakistan have to rely on Zahid they will get doomed

 

[Croma]

I will stick my neck out and say YES.

 

[shamaan]

I'd they don't win this game they should he set home on the next flight.

 

[shariqnoor]

Pakistan got this. Need 8 wickets.

I was a bit dissapointed by field placement. I mean, Eng was 2 down, last few overs and yet not surrounded by fielders. It was puzzling.

Only way Eng can pull this off if Pakistan stops having faith in themselves.

Nope. Field placements were fine. You need to have an in-out field. If Shan didn't put those sweepers out on both the offside and legside England would have scored at least 35-40 more runs by end of Day 3 as all of those sweeps would've gone for 4. You need to make them struggle to get boundaries and let them know that sweeps will only get you 1.

 

[gazza619]

I sense a lot of overconfidence as I hear some of the post day reviews. Pakistan will still need to bowl really well to beat this fighting England side.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I sense a lot of overconfidence as I hear some of the post day reviews. Pakistan will still need to bowl really well to beat this fighting England side.

And the worse thing PCT throw in the towel too early

 

[RidiculousMan]

Pakistan will not have time tomorrow. This Test match will be over before Tea.

Pakistan essentially have got 50 overs to bowl England out tomorrow. Have to plan accordingly and if Pakistan opt to go for an attacking plan then they should stick with it throughout the day. No point in switching to defensive mode when less than 100 runs will remain to play. Have to go all in on your plans.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Shan needs to be aggressive up front.

The longer it goes on the more nervous our team will get and more the target will come within Bazball range.

Let's be proactive.

 

[kingusama92]

I think so.

200-220 would have been interesting.

It is Pakistani cricket but this might be too much for England.

 

[mon858]

The game is in the bag. Pitch will only get worse from here on. Some sweeps maybe missed for lbw some maybe top edged. Some balls will be missed outside off turning in for bowled and low.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan should be looking to win this one before tea. The target is huge but you cannot relax against England. They can chase it down and you would never see that coming.

 

[Buffet]

Nope. Field placements were fine. You need to have an in-out field. If Shan didn't put those sweepers out on both the offside and legside England would have scored at least 35-40 more runs by end of Day 3 as all of those sweeps would've gone for 4. You need to make them struggle to get boundaries and let them know that sweeps will only get you 1.

In out field is perfect but some fielders like long on and giving easy singles were very useless. Eng had to then take risk to go over the top on turning track with 4-5 overs left.

 

[BouncerGuy]

55/4 now.. Pakistan should be able to win this game by at least 100 runs.

 

[big_gamer007]

Should be an easy win, defending ~300 in the 4th innings of a pitch already used for 8+ days when you have 4 spinners should be a walk in the park.

If Pakistan loses this test match it will actually rank amongst their worst performance in recent times alongside USA loss and BD whitewash.