England v Pakistan, 4th test, Day 2 updates

[Rob H]

England need to fight back with early wickets to give themselves a chance in this game where as Pakistan just need to keep on batting to get a healthy lead. Should be a great days cricket.

mods, schticky please

 

[BAADSHAH]

we should be aiming for at least a 200-250 lead - then bowl england out cheaply - and win by an innings

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[b0wld]

howz the weather so far

 

[Rob H]

weather is good judging by the interview on the outfield.

 

[BAADSHAH]

hopefully there won't be any stoppages for rain.
I checked the forecast on bbc and it is predicting rain for 2day and 2mro!!!

 

[inzidabest]

Farhat should score big so should Akmal , Faisal and Hafeez

 

[Zeenix]

Farhat should score big so should Akmal , Faisal and Hafeez

Chip in Scores from Yousuf and Inzi and we are going to have a run feast then

 

[shan]

match delayed?

 

[BAADSHAH]

y? is it raining????

 

[Zeenix]

match delayed?

Are you asking a Question..

 

[majalani]

no it's not raining
the outfield is wet, play to start at 11:30 am

 

[iZeeshan]

I will be comfertable with a 350 lead, because that will almost insure an innings win. Otherwise, I want a 200 lead at least.

 

[samisback]

salam peeps.
weather is fine, i guess because of the heavy rain last night.

 

[iZeeshan]

no it's not raining
the outfield is wet, play to start at 11:30 am

Is that in one hour and 30 minutes?

 

[Solid Snake]

Important not to get ahead of ourselves, far too early to be predicting (or hoping) for 350 run leads. All england need are a few early wickets and everything could go pear shaped for us. We should try and reach England's total of 173, without losing another wicket or two. Then progressivley build on a lead. Upon reaching a comfortable lead, with wickets in hand, we should try and accelerate and build the pressure on England.

England is far from out of this game, we should'nt get complacent. Inshalllah we can win this match, and at least get some dignity by losing 2-1, in oppose to 2-0 or 3-0 (!!!)

 

[Zeenix]

the outfield is wet

Hmm.. That's all because of Pakistan's pressure.....

ON THEM

 

[Zeenix]

I will be comfertable with a 350 lead, because that will almost insure an innings win. Otherwise, I want a 200 lead at least

Though i'd love it if it materializes, but i've got a feeling that we won't be able to get a substantial lead if indeed we do get a lead

 

[inzidabest]

I think the match will start in half an hour from now. 10 30 GMT and not 11 30 GMT

 

[Zeenix]

inzidabest: what would u do with ur nick when Inzi retires.. change to something like InziRetires

 

[ex-opener]

salam peeps.
weather is fine, i guess because of the heavy rain last night.

the umpires are allowing the out field to dry to enable the english to keep the ball dry so they can try & reverse swing it later on
they will add the half hour on this evening

 

[Zeenix]

I also have a feeling that we gonna loose a wicket in the first over and then it'd be downhill for us..

 

[inzidabest]

inzidabest: what would u do with ur nick when Inzi retires.. change to something like InziRetires

id change it to missingInzy

 

[Big Mac]

Just thought I'd remind everybody that the Pioneers of Cricket thing at lunch is about Waqar today

 

[iZeeshan]

inzidabest: what would u do with ur nick when Inzi retires.. change to something like InziRetires

it still wudnt matter wud it, cuz i can still make my nick "javedabest"

 

[Amir]

Play is too start in 15 minutes correct? He said play will get underway at 11:30 and BST is 5 hours ahead of EST....so I assume that is fifteen minutes from now?

Anyone confirm?

 

[iZeeshan]

Covers starting to come off. We'll prolly play to 7 today also, seeing as how we lost a lot of time yesterday

 

[Bilsher007]

Team news Mohammad Hafeez is fine and should be fit to resume his innings when required so tells us AFP's Shahid Hashmi.

Unfortunately, my optimism of starting play on time has been cut short. The news from the ground is play will begin at 11.30am BST due to a wet outfield. Andrew Miller tells us "Shoaib is going through his motions on the practice strip. He's looking in fine enough fettle, though obviously not cranking up the pace just yet"

 

[iZeeshan]

8 minutes to go, I believe?

 

[inzidabest]

when will it start

 

[asifp]

It's brightening up at The Oval - not that rain has been a factor in the delay this morning. Heavy overnight showers left the outfield rather sodden, but we should be underway at 11.30am BST.

 

[iZeeshan]

It's brightening up at The Oval - not that rain has been a factor in the delay this morning. Heavy overnight showers left the outfield rather sodden, but we should be underway at 11.30am BST.

Yea players are on the field.

 

[Rob H]

Farhat flashing already

 

[ex-opener]

here we go looose stroke to start off first ball

 

[iZeeshan]

And the first ball is fished at!

 

[asifp]

Saj is charging in

 

[Raz]

And the first ball is fished at!

Had it gone for 4 you wouldn't have been complaining

 

[iZeeshan]

Official: Hafeez fit to resume innings. Runner will be needed.

 

[iZeeshan]

Had it gone for 4 you wouldn't have been complaining

Well of course I would have, unless it was an ODI.

 

[iZeeshan]

Maiden to start with.

 

[iZeeshan]

Hoggard to share.

 

[iZeeshan]

No ball. Single for Yousuf. 1st runs of the day.

 

[inzidabest]

Hoggard to Yousuf. Boy Hoggy had him yesterday

 

[iZeeshan]

4 runs off the leg. 100 up.

 

[Zeenix]

Who has opened the bowling

 

[KB]

Farhat has quite a 'closed' stance which means he does miss some opportunities to score on the leg side.

 

[Raz]

Nice drive through the covers for 3

 

[Zeenix]

Hmm.. Good. Congrats.. 100/1 and that too opener still there... well am i dreaming

 

[iZeeshan]

Very good drive for 3.

 

[Raz]

Farhat has quite a 'closed' stance which means he does miss some opportunities to score on the leg side.

A bit like Chris Gayle then, another batsman who scores more heavily on the offside than on the leg.

 

[Zeenix]

What are the conditions.. is the bowl doing much how is hoggi bowling and saj too

 

[Rob H]

what a jaffa there. Well bowled Saj

 

[Zeenix]

I asked a question.. can any 1 answer it..

 

[iZeeshan]

Wonderful stuff from Saj. Yousuf doesn't look too good all of a sudden.

 

[Zeenix]

Whats the score guys..

 

[Asim2Good]

106/1

 

[Zeenix]

Hmm.. good.. How r they batting..

 

[iZeeshan]

Who has opened the bowling

Sajid and Hoggard

 

[KB]

Get the feeling with Farhat that he tries to hit the ball too hard at times.

 

[Rob H]

trying to cut and cramped for room. A drag on could be the way to get him.

 

[Muyazzim Khan]

Was it me or did anyone else notice Gul upped his pace yesterday from the usual 80-83mph to 85-87mph. It would suggest he is getting his fitness back after that horrid injury.

 

[KB]

Was it me or did anyone else notice Gul upped his pace yesterday from the usual 80-83mph to 85-87mph. It would suggest he is getting his fitness back after that horrid injury.

Looked in good rhythm right from the start yesterday

 

[Zeenix]

trying to cut and cramped for room. A drag on could be the way to get him.

If he gets out this way, i m goin' to send someone to get u..

 

[iZeeshan]

Hafeez to bat next...

 

[Rob H]

Yousuf running everyone out as usual.

 

[KB]

Not sure where Farhat was going. No chance of a run

 

[inzidabest]

I am not bothered about how Yousuf, Inzamam or Younis plays in this test match.

 

[Rob H]

that's a pleasing stroke. Just eased into it.

 

[iZeeshan]

Woo! That was scary.

Kya kareyn...Yousuf ney kabhi Farhat key saat batting he nahi kari

 

[KB]

Controlled cover drive. Better from Farhat, stroking rather than belting

 

[Raz]

Beautiful drive for 4 through the covers, well timed

 

[iZeeshan]

Great drive by Farhat for 4

 

[Zeenix]

WHat happnd guys.. is Farhat gone..

 

[Raz]

And then a bouncer, Farhat ducks under (wise choice)

 

[Rob H]

and again. Another lovely 4 from Farhat. 117/1

 

[KB]

Nicely timed for Farhat, through the covers for 4

 

[Raz]

Woah, that was just pushed and sweetly timed all the way for 4

 

[iZeeshan]

4 more runs!

 

[the_game]

Some glorious shots from Farhat.

 

[Big Mac]

Couple of nice shots from Farhat. Nice to see him looking determined out there instead of just trying to smack everything. He needs to go on and get a hundred now to try and buck his trend of throwing his wicket away after a good start.

 

[Rob H]

I love that kitkat advert