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England vs Pakistan | 1st Test | Lord's, London | May 24-28, 2018 | Day 1 | Match Thread

Johnny's keeping has improved since 2016. Used to be a batsman keeper with below average keeping skills. Buttler was preferred over him as wicketkeeper.
 
I might be a pessimist, but I think England have a decent score on board, and I doubt if Azhar or Shafiq survive, we might even reach 150..
 
Given Pakistan's batting woes in the recent past, I was going to say Imam is a decent find... and he promptly gets out!
 
Given Pakistan's batting woes in the recent past, I was going to say Imam is a decent find... and he promptly gets out!

I think he needs to be given a few test matches , if selected fair amount of chances must be given before moving forward.
 
These two are critical to getting us to a competitive score. We need at least two fifties from somewhere.
 
There are players who when you instantly look at from their stance and their first few balls, you can tell are great players - Imam is not one of those I'm afraid - he will only become successful if he grafts like the way Azhar has in the past 8 years.
 
Stumps can't come soon enough. Just need to see this tricky period out.
 
Boys looking comfortable out there. It's all about nerves right now. If they can settle early and start rotating the strike, most of these "good looking" balls will go away.
 
Pak has done extremely well to lose only 1 wicket here.

So many unplayable balls bowled and only 1 wicket to show for it for England.
 
Fakhar would’ve smashed several sixes by now and got the score to 60/0. Azhar would’ve been playing run-a-ball in this Test.
 
Haris looked suited to 3 and Azhar is suited to opening. Hopefully we don't tinker with their positions.
 
Our batsmen need to dig in here. Englands totals pretty decent and if want to win this game we will need a 1st inns lead. Can we get to englands total? Not sure :(
 
Nightmarish conditions for Pakistani batsmen.

If they somehow survive and put up a decent score then we will hear that the pitch eased out, Pakistan got lucky England didn't bowl well, they got too many chances etc...

If they collapse then Pakistan batting is comparable to club cricket or worse, this was meant to be, they got lucky to dismiss England cheaply in the 1st innings etc...

Pakistan will never get credit for a win and all credit if they loose.
 
Get to stumps with only one down and then it's Pakistan's test to lose
 
These are our best test batsman. If they can both survive till the end of the days play, we will be in a very strong position
 
Playing straight, nothing flashy till close of play needed here.
 
Don't need to do anything fancy. If these two can survive until the end of play it'll do a world of good for their confidence and rubbing off the shine on the ball.
 
Good judgement around off stump from Haris. Keep it up!

They should go off for bad light man
 
Are they literally playing under lights here?? It's getting incredibly dark there!!
 
Think we can score runs off Stokes and the off spinner. So shouldn't worry about dot balls against Broad and Anderson.
 
Pak batting looks paper thin. Lower order of Sarfraz, Faheem and Shadab have to step up and score runs.
 
Tbh it was a bit unfair on Fakhar not to get the nod but Imam had scores of 50+ in a couple warm up games. It's a good problem to have but if Imam doesn't get a score next match I can see Fakhar playing the second test.
 
Doubt we will get 18 overs in here. With so many slips. Driving and cutting are danger shots.
 
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