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

[Mamoon]

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.

 

[castortroy]

1-1 in England at this time of the year is a good result

 

[Hasan123]

Buttler is comfortable now.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Boring passage of play.

 

[Khan12]

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.

 

[darksher]

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.

 

[Hasan123]

Nothing happening with the new ball.

 

[Mamoon]

England should not pick Wood over Woakes again.

 

[MMHS]

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 ........

 

[Hasan123]

England looking to survive till the end of the day. Tommorow I'm sure they will look to play more aggressively.

 

[Mamoon]

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.

 

[imshally81]

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Abbas gets Woakes with a beauty

 

[Darkrai]

so where is that collapse that everyone was talking about..

 

[ManFan]

Abbas gets his first

 

[NeVerMind]

Woakes gone...Abbas looking a different bowler with the second new ball

 

[Hasan123]

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.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Excellent bowling by Abbas.

 

[asadee]

Lol as Mamoon overhypes him he gets OUT

 

[imshally81]

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.

Out hogia bhai woh tu..

 

[ManFan]

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.

 

[babajee]

so where is that collapse that everyone was talking about..

It’s coming.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Compactly edged to the keeper.

 

[ManFan]

Fifth catch for Sarfraz.

His keeping has been excellent this series.

 

[DeadBall]

so where is that collapse that everyone was talking about..

Most of the times you have said something like that today we have gotten a wicket immediately, please continue.

 

[imshally81]

Beauty...

 

[Mamoon]

Everyone gets out.

 

[Rinnegan Sasuke]

How much do you guys think is a manageable lead?

 

[Darkrai]

It’s coming.

Lets hope it comes before the lead is over 150.

 

[NeVerMind]

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...

 

[Mamoon]

Shafiq is another Azhar.

With more shots and probably (hopefully) more tactical nous.

 

[imshally81]

Fifth catch for Sarfraz.

His keeping has been excellent this series.

But but but... He is not a good keeper... Rizwan is country mile better him...

 

[DeadBall]

Fifth catch for Sarfraz.

His keeping has been excellent this series.

Even Kami would have caught that. I think.

 

[Mamoon]

How much do you guys think is a manageable lead?

<50 was manageable, the game is done and dusted now.

 

[ManFan]

Even Kami would have caught that. I think.

You can never be sure with Kami

 

[darksher]

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?

 

[imshally81]

Everyone gets out.

Hahaha.. )

 

[Zeshan547]

as I said earlier that Hassan Ali catch was last nail in the coffin, now only a miracle can save us

 

[Abdullah719]

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.

 

[Mamoon]

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.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

For all the talk about this being an excellent batting pitch we have the home team 7 down for under 300

 

[ManFan]

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.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Fifth catch for Sarfraz.

His keeping has been excellent this series.

As per our experts, he does not make the team on merit, worse keeper than Rizwan, and not a natural keeper.

 

[imshally81]

<50 was manageable, the game is done and dusted now.

Mamoon bro.. What is your thoughts about first game... Is it fluke or something else?

 

[The_Odd_One]

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.

Kamran dropped them in almost every game.

 

[NeVerMind]

He took a blinder at Lord's off Amir to take out Malan...I know...I was behind the bowler's arm at Lords.

 

[darksher]

This innings would've been wrapped already if Hassan had held onto the catch.

 

[Hasan123]

Curran 1st ball in tests. Solid defence.

 

[ManFan]

ENG have been lucky throughout the series.

We used all our luck up in our first innings at Lords where ENG dropped five catches.

 

[imshally81]

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.

I still think... He is better than Rizwan...

 

[Xoib]

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

 

[Mamoon]

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.

 

[ManFan]

How do you suddenly get more active when Pakistan is behind in the game

Old habits never die

 

[Ab Fan]

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.

 

[Mamoon]

Mamoon bro.. What is your thoughts about first game... Is it fluke or something else?

You can’t fluke Tests. We played well and capitalized on English blunders.

 

[Hasan123]

Nice ball Abbas.

 

[imshally81]

Beauty... Wow

 

[Mamoon]

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.

 

[babajee]

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.

 

[castortroy]

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

 

[Hasan123]

5 overs left in the day

 

[ManFan]

Expecting the pitch to behave irregularly during ENG’s 2nd innings so it’s gonna be an exciting chase.

 

[Mamoon]

Kamran dropped them in almost every game.

Post 2006, he was worse than 70 year old Bari.

 

[imshally81]

You can’t fluke Tests. We played well and capitalized on English blunders.

Agreed .. You can't fluke in whole tournament too (Champions Trophy)

 

[Sirris]

Some were predicting England easily getting to a 400+ score. The current situation is not bad and too much out of control.

 

[ManFan]

Some were predicting England easily getting to a 400+ score. The current situation is not bad and too much out of control.

Agreed.

All depends on openers against new ball tomorrow.

 

[Hasan123]

Come on Hassan, get a wicket.

 

[imshally81]

Hasan on...

 

[Ab Fan]

Post 2006, he was worse than 70 year old Bari.

Lol, what is this 70 year old Bari? Have you watched him keep after he turned 70?

 

[Hasan123]

Deep backward square leg against a number 9 on debut . Best captain since IK

 

[Deewana Mastana]

115 run lead already too much for Pakistan

 

[Hasan123]

I hope our batsmen play with intent and don't look to block every ball.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

They've negated 78mph Abbas well by standing a couple of steps outside.

 

[Abdullah719]

Deep backward square leg against a number 9 on debut . Best captain since IK

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.

 

[Robert]

Botham reckons ENG can still get to a 200 run lead.

Don't they have duct tape in the UK

It’s possible, but Son of Kevin would have to play out of his skin.

 

[Hasan123]

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.

Bouncers against a number 9 with a new ball ? What happened to pitching the ball up with the new ball ?

 

[Deewana Mastana]

That Buttler drop was costly.

 

[darksher]

This lad is no mug with the bat either.

 

[ManFan]

PAK to get one more wicket

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

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.