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England vs Pakistan | 2nd Test | Headingley, Leeds | June 1-5, 2018 | Day 2 | Match Thread

I can't see any trait in Shafiq's personality that would suggest he is capable of captaining the Pakistan Test team.

Neither do I, but there are no alternatives. Azhar’s ODI experiment has costed him Test captaincy, and no one else is in contention.

If a miracle happens and Sarfraz is sacked, the captaincy will fall in Shafiq’s lap my default.

At this point, I will take it. At least he won’t be a Specialist Captain.
 
A WK like Rod Marsh was probably heavier than Sarfraz, probably close to 100KG!!!!!, as he was taller. BUT, guy had unreal reflex and probably the best anticipation among WKs', hence often he had time enough to react and grab. C Marsh, B Lillee appeared in Test Score Card 95 times.

Sarfraz's anticipation is among the worst that I have seen - let alone catching, if Amir starts to swerve across leg, half of those will go for 4 byes.

The funny thing is that it has happened today(last paragraph). He needs to retire from tests and this is the perfect time for him to retire.
 
Woakes is a solid bat, so compact & technically sound, strengthens the lower order significantly with his resolute batting. England have a realistic chance of stretching the lead to 200 if these two carry along for some time.
 
I can't see any trait in Shafiq's personality that would suggest he is capable of captaining the Pakistan Test team.

Bro Abdullah, he has the first quality for the job, which is 80% - he makes the PAK XI on playing merit and he is good enough batsman to lead from front. And, he is a brilliant Slip catcher, won't cost team.

Rest are 20%, which Arthur can help him to develop. Not sure about current Captain, who needs to develop 80% first ........
 
England looking to survive till the end of the day. Tommorow I'm sure they will look to play more aggressively.
 
Woakes is a solid bat, so compact & technically sound, strengthens the lower order significantly with his resolute batting. England have a realistic chance of stretching the lead to 200 if these two carry along for some time.

If he gives up bowling and focuses on his batting, he can average around 35-40. Excellent player.

A very good all-rounder indeed, especially in English conditions.
 
I can't see any trait in Shafiq's personality that would suggest he is capable of captaining the Pakistan Test team.

At least he makes them team on merit. Sarfraz doesn't make the team on merit and is shouting at other players and looking disinterested.
 
Neither do I, but there are no alternatives. Azhar’s ODI experiment has costed him Test captaincy, and no one else is in contention.

If a miracle happens and Sarfraz is sacked, the captaincy will fall in Shafiq’s lap my default.

At this point, I will take it. At least he won’t be a Specialist Captain.

Shafiq is another Azhar.
 
Fifth catch for Sarfraz.

His keeping has been excellent this series.
 
For all the criticism and knee jerk reaction Saf has been facing on PP, he has been excellent with the gloves...yet to drop one this series...
 
The funny thing is that it has happened today(last paragraph). He needs to retire from tests and this is the perfect time for him to retire.

Expecting Pakistani players to retire gracefully is merely wishful thinking. We had a 45 years old test captain who retired not too long ago, what in the world makes you think Sarfraz will do so at this stage of his career?
 
as I said earlier that Hassan Ali catch was last nail in the coffin, now only a miracle can save us
 
Neither do I, but there are no alternatives. Azhar’s ODI experiment has costed him Test captaincy, and no one else is in contention.

If a miracle happens and Sarfraz is sacked, the captaincy will fall in Shafiq’s lap my default.

At this point, I will take it. At least he won’t be a Specialist Captain.

If you listen to Mickey's interviews, there is a process underway in the Pakistan team and Sarfaraz as leader is a major part of it. He isn't going anywhere. The whole management and board is backing him.

Anyway, in a hypothetical scenario, I wouldn't ever want Shafiq as a captain. Firstly, he is having a middling past few series so for the team's sake, hopefully he'll start performing up to expectations. More responsibility could derail that. Secondly, captaincy isn't a joke and there are no signs to show he can be adequate, let alone good as a leader.

The lack of alternatives certainly does make it easier for Sarfaraz to get away with his lack of performances. They're just going to ride it out and hope he starts taking some responsibility with the bat. The next two Test series are in UAE (I think?) so further poor performances will certainly lead to more whispers (or yelling) in the media.
 
But but but... He is not a good keeper... Rizwan is country mile better him...

Even 70 year old Wasim Bari won’t drop these regulation catches.

You know a keeper is bad when he gets praised for taking dollies.
 
For all the talk about this being an excellent batting pitch we have the home team 7 down for under 300
 
With more shots and probably (hopefully) more tactical nous.

He does not.

If we make the same mistake with Azhar (give the captaincy to a guy who has never captained), it will cost us more Tests.
 
He took a blinder at Lord's off Amir to take out Malan...I know...I was behind the bowler's arm at Lords.
 
ENG have been lucky throughout the series.

We used all our luck up in our first innings at Lords where ENG dropped five catches.
 
Even 70 year old Wasim Bari won’t drop these regulation catches.

You know a keeper is bad when he gets praised for taking dollies.

How do you suddenly get more active when Pakistan is behind in the game
 
If you listen to Mickey's interviews, there is a process underway in the Pakistan team and Sarfaraz as leader is a major part of it. He isn't going anywhere. The whole management and board is backing him.

Anyway, in a hypothetical scenario, I wouldn't ever want Shafiq as a captain. Firstly, he is having a middling past few series so for the team's sake, hopefully he'll start performing up to expectations. More responsibility could derail that. Secondly, captaincy isn't a joke and there are no signs to show he can be adequate, let alone good as a leader.

The lack of alternatives certainly does make it easier for Sarfaraz to get away with his lack of performances. They're just going to ride it out and hope he starts taking some responsibility with the bat. The next two Test series are in UAE (I think?) so further poor performances will certainly lead to more whispers (or yelling) in the media.

Agree with all, it is not going to happen. There is too much goodwill surrounding Sarfaraz at the moment - Champions Trophy, T20 mace, new players shining, positive atmosphere and improved fielding and fitness etc.

However, at some point, his individual brilliance will come back to bite him, and I wonder how long it will take for Mickey to pull the plug if this continues.
 
England have got enough lead I feel.

Expecting Pakistani batsmen to change the course of a game is laughable. Their bowlers can, batsmen wont though.
 
How do you suddenly get more active when Pakistan is behind in the game

I am back home on a break with no work, so you will see me post actively for the next few days.
 
England have got enough lead I feel.

Expecting Pakistani batsmen to change the course of a game is laughable. Their bowlers can, batsmen wont though.

All your predictions for this series have been wrong so far :)

Happy days.
 
It's funny how some fans think the likes of imam, sohail and co are going to come out tomorrow scoring tons against broad, Woakes and Anderson

Batting is still fragile as ever and won't last more than 60 overs
 
Expecting the pitch to behave irregularly during ENG’s 2nd innings so it’s gonna be an exciting chase.
 
Some were predicting England easily getting to a 400+ score. The current situation is not bad and too much out of control.
 
Deep backward square leg against a number 9 on debut . Best captain since IK :salute

Maybe the bowlers are going to bowl a bouncer or two? Or maybe it's tactical so that the batsman thinks he'll bowl a bouncer? So many possibilities. :sarf2
 
Maybe Hasan is going to bowl a bouncer or two? Or maybe it's tactical so that the batsman thinks he'll bowl a bouncer? So many possibilities. :sarf2

Bouncers against a number 9 with a new ball ? What happened to pitching the ball up with the new ball ?
 
If Azhar scores a 150 ball 50 tomorrow, then PAK might make 300-ish

Honestly, I don't expect PAK to give them a target of more than 180.

Could still be interesting tho with Shadab if Amir/Abbas can nip Cook & Root out early.
 
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