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

[Kroll]

Why in the world is Rahat still there? Hasan is a better bowler, fielder and batter. This is preposterous.

In the presser, MA said one Ali out of Rahat and Hasan will play.

 

[hk031992]

In the presser, MA said one Ali out of Rahat and Hasan will play.

But this should not be a contest. Rahat can't buy a wicket. Hasan is bound to at least get a few. Plus, Hasan bats better.

 

[Kroll]

I'd like to see this team:

Fakhar
Imam
Azhar
Haris
Asad
Babar
Sarfaraz
Shadab
Hassan
Amir
Abbas

or if I was more attacking:

Fakhar
Imam
Azhar
Haris
Asad
Sarfaraz
Faheem
Shadab
Hassan
Amir
Abbas

 

[pakistani pride]

No of series won is same 4-4, pak have won more games. 12-9 is not wiping the floor with India.

I didn’t mean to bring in World Cup stats, I wanted to show you an example what wiping the floor with opponent team means. 11-0 is a perfect example. India wiped the floor with Pak in WC games.

12 tests vs 9 tests is an important stat. Specially since both teams dont play vs each other anymore. Leading in tests vs India is a great matter of pride.

Its only in last 5 years or so. Just look at Indias W/L ratio overall in tests.

 

[Mueez]

If Rahat gets selected instead of Hasan.
I will lose all my hope of winning this test series in England

 

[srh]

Report saying Fakhar may play in place of Haris Sohail or Babar Azam.

 

[ArsenalFC]

The useless Rahat will be playing I'm sure given the severity of Hassan's hand injury. When you can't get a wicket in your last 3 innings against a second string worst professional domestic side in England and an international test debutant you may as well replace him with a batsman and ask Haris Sohail to give you more overs. I'm sure he'll do a better job in containing. Unfortunately Rahat has to play as he's made in the 12 man squad with Hasan - just brilliant

 

[Rahul1]

Best case scenario we absolutely smash England in the series and in the very next series they take out ghussa on India and dish out epic phainti

I do hope that you whitewash England. The confidence of English team will go down the gutter and we can capitalize on that.

 

[Rahul1]

I'd like to see this team:

Fakhar
Imam
Azhar
Haris
Asad
Babar
Sarfaraz
Shadab
Hassan
Amir
Abbas

or if I was more attacking:

Fakhar
Imam
Azhar
Haris
Asad
Sarfaraz
Faheem
Shadab
Hassan
Amir
Abbas

Azhar is your best batsman. Shouldn't he open?

 

[moghul]

If Rahat gets selected instead of Hasan.
I will lose all my hope of winning this test series in England

Rahat will play, Sifarish ho to aeyssi.

 

[Third Man]

Its called PAKpassion for a reason. JAZBA!
The boys will do well and win the 1st test inshallah!

No inside joke. Some of us just don’t take ourselves too seriously.

 

[The_Odd_One]

It's going to be the same playing XI. This should really be last chance for Asad. If he does not hit a century in the first 3 innings, he should be dropped from the next series.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Reading this thread, one would not think that Pakistan almost lost to Ireland a week back

 

[Napa]

It will be an upset if England escape with a draw this time.

5 Tests.

When was the last time there was a 5 match Test series other than The Ashes?

Off the top of my head I remember England getting "blackwashed" 0-5 by the Windies at home in the early 1980s.

The 2014 India trip was also 5 matches.

 

[Xoib]

Reading this thread, one would not think that Pakistan almost lost to Ireland a week back

ermm no we dominated from Lunch onwards day 1 the only hiccup was when we were14/3 chasing 160 but as soon the target went less then 100 there was just one winner

 

[QuickCrick]

Weather is not looking great

 

[New Yorker]

Can't believe that no other backup pacer has been sent for. Not even one. Hasan is injured, Amir is injury prone, and Rahat has simply been awful. What on earth are they waiting for?

 

[Amjid Javed]

1. Azhar
2. Fakhar
3. Imam
4. Asad
5. Haris
6. Usman
7. Sarfraz
8. Shadab/Fahim
9. Amir
10. Hasan
11. Abbas

Thats my 11, with Sarfraz and Azhar both being currently useless with the bat, we need to play 6 batsmen in the 1st game. Id go with Shadab over fahim as i think we need a spinner in side rather then 4th seamer.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Can't believe that no other backup pacer has been sent for. Not even one. Hasan is injured, Amir is injury prone, and Rahat has simply been awful. What on earth are they waiting for?

Thinking the same
Too many batsmen while we are lacking a pacer.

 

[New Yorker]

Thinking the same
Too many batsmen while we are lacking a pacer.

Just awful. "PCB Think Tank" is a contradiction in terms. No ability to learn from past mistakes, no capacity to exercise minimum forward thinking.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joe Root and Sarfaraz Ahmed with the series trophy at Lord's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/k4YV3A0XhG">pic.twitter.com/k4YV3A0XhG</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/999271361062293504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

England v Pakistan: Dom Bess to make international debut at Lord's

England spinner Dom Bess will make his Test debut against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday, says captain Joe Root.

The 20-year-old Somerset bowler has taken 63 wickets at an average of 22.49 since making his debut in a tour match against Pakistan in 2016.

Root said Bess was in "a good place" going into the first Test of the two-match series.

"He knows what he wants to do and how he wants to go about his business," Root told Test Match Special.

"He's full of confidence. He's got a lot of energy and he's very switched on. He has a good idea of his own game and how he wants to go about things."

Bess was a replacement in the Test side for county team-mate Jack Leach, who broke the thumb on his bowling hand the day before the squad was announced.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44223609

 

[Kroll]

Azhar is your best batsman. Shouldn't he open?

In Pakistan team, 3 down is like a false opening slot. But seriously, to accommodate Fakhar, I felt it was best to push Azhar one down as he's familiar with that role.

 

[KingKhanWC]

They need to get their XI bang on but I agree with you that there should be no excuses if a defeat is to take place, they've prepared as well as they possibly could. They're an inexperienced bunch so we shouldn't expect too much but I believe we have the ability to cause an upset and win a Test at the very least. Like you say, captaincy will be vital; Misbah played a very key role last time round and was our man of the series I believe.

Not sure what you think but Hasan Ali must play and from the reports I've read he will be in the XI in place of Rahat. The weather has been hot, so the ball should reverse and Hasan is a brilliant at reserve swing esp around the wicket to the left handers.

Another key will be how Pakistan play the new English spinner, if Younis was still around he would put him to the sword so I hope the others dont let him settle and shred him to bits before he starts gaining some confidence.

 

[Syed1]

Not sure what you think but Hasan Ali must play and from the reports I've read he will be in the XI in place of Rahat. The weather has been hot, so the ball should reverse and Hasan is a brilliant at reserve swing esp around the wicket to the left handers.

Another key will be how Pakistan play the new English spinner, if Younis was still around he would put him to the sword so I hope the others dont let him settle and shred him to bits before he starts gaining some confidence.

This is where Sarfaraz will be key. He is by far the best player of spin in the side. If he manages to attack Bess then its game over for England.

 

[Mueez]

Am so excited for this match. BUT unfortunately have to go to school.
Ufffffff why o why!?

 

[KingKhanWC]

This is where Sarfaraz will be key. He is by far the best player of spin in the side. If he manages to attack Bess then its game over for England.

True however Sarfraz hasn't batted well since I can remember. Root will know this and probably wont be daft enough to allow him to settle against a spinner on debut but match circumstances might come into play. Fakhar at no.6 would have been ideal, he dealth with Ashwin and Jadeja like toys in the CT final and could have ruined this kids confidence in a couple of overs.

 

[indianpanacea]

For me it shall be
Azhar
Imam
Harris
Babar
Fahim
Asad
Sarfaraz
Shahzad
Amir
Abbas
Rahat

 

[Dingolfy]

True however Sarfraz hasn't batted well since I can remember. Root will know this and probably wont be daft enough to allow him to settle against a spinner on debut but match circumstances might come into play. Fakhar at no.6 would have been ideal, he dealth with Ashwin and Jadeja like toys in the CT final and could have ruined this kids confidence in a couple of overs.

ODI bowling is much more defensive than in Tests. Kumble used to get carted by Pakistani batsmen in ODIs, but not in Tests.

 

[Mueez]

For me it shall be
Azhar
Imam
Harris
Babar
Fahim
Asad
Sarfaraz
Shahzad
Amir
Abbas
Rahat

Shahzad? Did you mean Shadab?

 

[KingKhanWC]

ODI bowling is much more defensive than in Tests. Kumble used to get carted by Pakistani batsmen in ODIs, but not in Tests.

Yes I didn't feel the need to point out the obvious but Fakhar is a very good player of spin and would likely come in when the spinner is on. He is one batsmen who could demoralise the new spinner to the point his captain will be worried bowling him again. Pakistan need to think like this if they are to control the game against England.

 

[Markhor]

It's a greentop guys. Please tell me they'll shave it. Courtesy of John Etheridge:



Cue the heart attacks.

 

[adil_909]

anyone know who is broadcasting this in USA?

 

[Snowflake]

Willow. But only on their cable (non-internet) subscription.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

[MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] All pitches are covered before game day. It's up to England what they're gonna leave on the pitch.

 

[idrizzy]

I've been out of the loop of Pakistan cricket for a while, but what happened to Yasir Messi Shah?

 

[Abdullah719]

I've been out of the loop of Pakistan cricket for a while, but what happened to Yasir Messi Shah?

Injured. http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...sts-versus-Ireland-and-England-Update-Post-67

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

It's a greentop guys. Please tell me they'll shave it. Courtesy of John Etheridge:

View attachment 81706

Cue the heart attacks.

Yes, they are likely to cut it down.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Will help the Roza pass faster. Nothing like watching Pakistan play in England.

 

[ManFan]

I have been waiting for this series for three years.

Can’t wait.

 

[Jabo]

Will help the Roza pass faster. Nothing like watching Pakistan play in England.

lol

cricket in roza always help

 

[Syed1]

lol

cricket in roza always help

Now imagine you are near the end of the roza and food reserves are at their minimal levels and then Azhar Ali drops a dolly in the slips. I bet alot of Pakistanis would ruin their fasts at that point

 

[Sadevdesai]

For Good or Bad ..... I hope the Test Series against England exposes Sarfraz !!!!!! Mind you, I don't want him to fail .... only exposed !!!!

 

[Syed1]

For Good or Bad ..... I hope the Test Series against England exposes Sarfraz !!!!!! Mind you, I don't want him to fail .... only exposed !!!!

Bhai jaan itni nafrat achi nahi hoti

 

[Ahmed4472]

I have been waiting for this series for three years.

Can’t wait.

Three years? Even before 2016 series lol. But yeah love when Pakistan play test cricket in England

 

[Syed1]

Best part is match starts at 6am Eastern.... my alarm for work goes off at 7am, so basically I'll be following the whole day's play on my phone except the first hour. Not many places in the world that have such conducive playing hours for us Canadians

 

[ManFan]

Three years? Even before 2016 series lol. But yeah love when Pakistan play test cricket in England

When we played ENG in 2016, it was during the summer.

I remember SL had a 2 Test series before around this time and got walloped 2-0. I remember thinking what would happen if we toured around the same time.

Searched up the PAK schedule and in 2018, sure enough, we were due to play a 2-match series.

But yeah, the wait has been overwhelming.

 

[ManFan]

Best part is match starts at 6am Eastern.... my alarm for work goes off at 7am, so basically I'll be following the whole day's play on my phone except the first hour. Not many places in the world that have such conducive playing hours for us Canadians

What if your boss catches you?

 

[Syed1]

What if your boss catches you?

He is on vacation.... his boss is around but she is chill

 

[ManFan]

He is on vacation.... his boss is around but she is chill

Ehhh!

 

[Ahmed4472]

When we played ENG in 2016, it was during the summer.

I remember SL had a 2 Test series before around this time and got walloped 2-0. I remember thinking what would happen if we toured around the same time.

Searched up the PAK schedule and in 2018, sure enough, we were due to play a 2-match series.

But yeah, the wait has been overwhelming.

Hopefully we don’t really get walloped like SL. I was thinking the same at that time too about the conditions. But again two years not three.

There was some talk probably on pp about Pakistan visiting for 4-match series again in 2020. God knows whats happened if that as would be mouthwatering with Babar, Imam, Haris all set in their careers.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Best part is match starts at 6am Eastern.... my alarm for work goes off at 7am, so basically I'll be following the whole day's play on my phone except the first hour. Not many places in the world that have such conducive playing hours for us Canadians

Jani app kay Bhai kay timing bhi kafi solid hain, games starts at 6 pm (GMT +8) and I will most probably clock off work at 5:30-5:45 - The drive home is around 20 mins so at most I'll miss the first 10 minutes.

Bas Dua Karo Traffic Jam na ho !!

 

[NeVerMind]

Rain and thunderstorms predicted for the whole test match duration except Saturday when I am going to go watch it live with my brother. So provided we don't get blown away, every chance it is going to be a draw...

 

[Syed1]

Jani app kay Bhai kay timing bhi kafi solid hain, games starts at 6 pm (GMT +8) and I will most probably clock off work at 5:30-5:45 - The drive home is around 20 mins so at most I'll miss the first 10 minutes.

Bas Dua Karo Traffic Jam na ho !!

Inshallah you will get home safe on time and watch Azhar Ali hit a first session ton as you break your fast (ok first session ton thora zayda hogaya maybe first session fifty )

 

[Cric1234]

If the pitch is similar to the one shown above then 3 days might be enough for a result.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Inshallah you will get home safe on time and watch Azhar Ali hit a first session ton as you break your fast (ok first session ton thora zayda hogaya maybe first session fifty )

First Session 50 bhi Zaida hay Azhar kay liyay toh #AchaSorryAjjuFans - I'd be happy if we make it to 60 odd without a wicket (30* each batsman) in the first session. Need to see off the new bowl

 

[hur rizvi]

Best part is match starts at 6am Eastern.... my alarm for work goes off at 7am, so basically I'll be following the whole day's play on my phone except the first hour. Not many places in the world that have such conducive playing hours for us Canadians

Starts 3 am here, Washington state time in USA makes me remember NZ matches when in Pakistan