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England v Pakistan | 1st Test | Lord's | Jul 14-18, 2016 | Day 3

Brilliant from Asad been the most free flowing batter for us in this game. Just needs that big century
 
Shafiq at 6 and Azhar at 3 (till last year atleast)

Won't it help to improve our opening partnership?

Early signs also suggest that Azhar's attritional approach at #3 is a tad problematic in these conditions. Shafiq looks a fair bit classier on this pitch than he does in the UAE and clearly no sensible team will chuck their best batsman (in terms of technique) down at #6.

We need to aim higher. Our team combination is good enough for UAE conditions, but there's clearly lots of room for improvement in these conditions, not just in terms of bringing in anyone who can hold a bat for Hafeez and/or Shan, but also in terms of rejigging the batting order to improve the team's overall run-scoring productivity.
 
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Asad is surely from some other country... :O

A class above the mediocrity plaguing the rest of our batsmen.
 
Game in PAK's hand to be honest. Unless ENG bats today, this game is gone.
 
Asad deserves a Ton here at Lords, clearly looking good here. Just don't play a silly shot.
 
You ot to admire YK's grit though. hat is the sole reason behind such a successful test career
 
Loving this partnership. When Younis found himself in an Azhar-esque rut, Shafiq really helped out by getting the scoreboard moving.

Azhar and Younis batting together like clones is a dream for the opposition.
 
Game in PAK's hand to be honest. Unless ENG bats today, this game is gone.

Whats your take on achievable and unachievable targets?

Pakistanis are anxious and understandably underestimating how hard it is to bat in 4th innings against a spinner.

What do you think of 4th innings targets?
 
Maybe I'm a glass half full guy, but it is something how one can have an average of 50+ while giving ballet lessons in the middle of the pitch :yk
 
All said and done this is the first time we have really been in a spot of any serious bother in three days of play. That is very very commendable performance by a visiting side to have this sort of a dominance against such an excellent side playing in home conditions.
 
Azhar
Asad
Sarfraz

One of them will be the next captain


If I spend an hour, I can extract fraction of the posts regarding MoHa's future when he was banned for bowling - almost 2 years since then - he is still only player (batsman) regular in all 3 formats, he opens in Test, he bats at 3 in ODI, he fields at 1st Slip & he is among the Cat A contract.
 
Loving this partnership. When Younis found himself in an Azhar-esque rut, Shafiq really helped out by getting the scoreboard moving.

Azhar and Younis batting together like clones is a dream for the opposition.
That's correct one has to keep ticking the board on...influence

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Younis has somehow managed to survive.

Let's see for how long can he continue this ugly but important knock.
 
One of Hafeez or Masood has to sit out in the next match.

Atleast Masood can contribute in the field, Hafeez is utterly useless
 
Shafiq carrying this partnership. Beautiful batting.

The tempo at which he is batting and the way he is executing his shots against the pacers, I would select him for the ODI series.

He's in good form and his confidence is high, time to cash in.
 
Game in PAK's hand to be honest. Unless ENG bats today, this game is gone.

You're probably one of the best posters here and I shouldn't be challenging your judgement, but I think you're being a bit too kind to Pakistan here.

1 more wicket and then who knows what may happen. Sarfraz can either totally change the game or get caught behind in his first 5 balls.
 
Younis looking slightly more settled while Shafiq going nicely.

I'm scared of praising Shafiq too much :yk
 
Masood and Azhar to open, and everybody moves up a slot. Then get someone like a Muhammad Rizwan to bat or ask Babar Azam to hop on over from the A tour
 
i think 210 all out.

Wicket is flat, pak need to bat a bit tomorrow, just to scruff the wicket of eng.. It will be too easy for eng.. After lunch tomorrow will get interesting..
 
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Shafiq carrying this partnership. Beautiful batting.

The tempo at which he is batting and the way he is executing his shots against the pacers, I would select him for the ODI series.

He's in good form and his confidence is high, time to cash in.

Fully agree, best time and place to try and turn his ODI fortunes around. I feel he will enjoy the conditions in England a lot more than the UAE.
 
I think people are being to harsh on Younis, he hasn't looked the best out there but at least he's managed to stay not out, when they couldn't afford to lose another wicket.
 
Masood and Azhar to open, and everybody moves up a slot. Then get someone like a Muhammad Rizwan to bat or ask Babar Azam to hop on over from the A tour

It will take Pakistanis 1-2 years to realize that Azhar is our best opener. That way we can have an extra bat in the middle order to strengthen the batting.
 
Shafiq carrying this partnership. Beautiful batting.

The tempo at which he is batting and the way he is executing his shots against the pacers, I would select him for the ODI series.

He's in good form and his confidence is high, time to cash in.

Why would anyone select a proven failure in ODIs. HE is worse than YK in ODIs
 
Whats your take on achievable and unachievable targets?

Pakistanis are anxious and understandably underestimating how hard it is to bat in 4th innings against a spinner.

What do you think of 4th innings targets?

I think, ENG'll chase over 272 - PAK should add another 80-90 at least here. What ENG can chase depends on how many PAK drops - 1st innings got out of jail as Cook got an inside edge, easily PAK could have been effectively 20/4 by now.

I think, Wahab'll bowl well, Aamir as well. But, PAK has to reduce boundary balls. It might be a good idea to start with a 3rd man & sweeper - PAK pacers can't bowl 6 balls on tight line. PAK might miss an offie here, I am sure Poms 'll play Yasir on front-foot next time & won't flick against sliders.
 
Age of our old guys showing up as soon as there is something in the wicket. YK is absolutely pathetic in this test, why he is dancing every ball? [emoji84][emoji84][emoji84]

Shafiq looks 3x better than all others, had we invest in guys like Harris, Babar and Umar we would not have been looking so terrible.


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Shafiq at 6 and Azhar at 3 (till last year atleast)

Younis has clearly had a torrid time in the middle. Even if you want to keep Azhar at #3, Shafiq should at least be moved up to #4 assuming Younis hangs around even after this tour. Would really help the composition of our batting lineup.

We have already suffered enough in ODIs when we make poor players of pace open and poor players of spin play down the order. The team management will have to learn their lessons at some point.
 
Masood and Azhar to open, and everybody moves up a slot. Then get someone like a Muhammad Rizwan to bat or ask Babar Azam to hop on over from the A tour
I don't see hafeez is going to be dropped on the basis of just one bad match...anyway I also don't mind playing Rizwan and Azam.

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If I spend an hour, I can extract fraction of the posts regarding MoHa's future when he was banned for bowling - almost 2 years since then - he is still only player (batsman) regular in all 3 formats, he opens in Test, he bats at 3 in ODI, he fields at 1st Slip & he is among the Cat A contract.

Will be gone from t20s soon.
In tests won't last much longer if he carries on like this with the bat.
 
Shafiq carrying this partnership. Beautiful batting.

The tempo at which he is batting and the way he is executing his shots against the pacers, I would select him for the ODI series.

He's in good form and his confidence is high, time to cash in.

But where will be bat? I would bat him at 3 in odis but Hafeez won't move from there and he's earned his slot there tbf.
 
You're probably one of the best posters here and I shouldn't be challenging your judgement, but I think you're being a bit too kind to Pakistan here.

1 more wicket and then who knows what may happen. Sarfraz can either totally change the game or get caught behind in his first 5 balls.

This game is Test cricket buddy, much easier than T20 - you can stroll around 2/over. There is someone in middle whom I respect at the highest order. He didn't chase 191, from 57/5 against SAF in UAE, neither against spinners. Old fox, lost lots of his far, so looks ugly now, but knows what he is doing.
 
Tea came at the wrong time for Pakistan and perfect time for England
 
Everyone calling for Babar Azam that's fine but he would prefer to bat in the middle order and we don't know if azhar will want to move. So why not call up Jaahid Ali instead? He batted for long periods in the A tour games and he is an opener. It's his primary role. He can't be bad as Shan or Hafeez.
 
This game is Test cricket buddy, much easier than T20 - you can stroll around 2/over. There is someone in middle whom I respect at the highest order. He didn't chase 191, from 57/5 against SAF in UAE, neither against spinners. Old fox, lost lots of his far, so looks ugly now, but knows what he is doing.
Well said.

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Most critical session of the Test coming - this happens when you play the game on proper balanced wicket.

Anyone wining this session would win the Test.
 
Not every batsman will always come good, not everyone will be in form at the moment, but everyone has played their part in helping Pak's test team in the last few years. Let's enjoy the cricket and support our team.
 
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