England vs Pakistan | 2nd Test | Southampton | August 13-17, 2020 | Pre-Match Discussion Thread

[Invincible Gujjar]

I really really hope they don't play that trundler Sohail khan he is good for nothing.If Naseem needs rest I would play wahab and hopefully not that hack fawad as well.

 

[HitWicket]

Stokes out for the rest of the summer to be with his family in NZ apparently.

 

[gibsyhesperis]

Lots of pessimism above.

On an emotional level I do understand why, after what happened yesterday, but actually the result was very close and came down to some extremely slender margins. For example, Woakes hit the winning runs with an edged boundary, but if that ball had gone to a fielder for a catch, then England’s genuine tail-end batters would have still needed four to win with just two wickets left, and who knows what would have happened then.

I agree that it’s difficult to see Pakistan winning the series now — England rarely, if ever are going to drop two consecutive home Tests — but I see no reason why Pakistan can’t win at least one of the remaining games, and then if the other game were to be affected by rain, the series could even end up shared as a 1-1 tie.

The most likely result from this series now (imo) is an England win by a minimum 2-1 margin; but anything can happen in the great game of Test cricket and I urge everyone to watch again on Thursday.

Exactly so — the most likely result before the series started was 3-0 with Pakistan fainting to compete in any of the Tests because of the fragile batting.
The fact that they got close in the first test, against a team playing at home and who had just come of three Tests against the WI, was IMHO extraordinary.
It will go downhill from here, but really some people on this site need to be realistic about expectations.

 

[Major]

SUddenly with Stokes out, Pakistan again has a chance to win this series
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] what do you think now? No stokes, only root and buttler, can Pakistan still pull of a win ?

 

[gibsyhesperis]

Lots of pessimism above.

On an emotional level I do understand why, after what happened yesterday, but actually the result was very close and came down to some extremely slender margins. For example, Woakes hit the winning runs with an edged boundary, but if that ball had gone to a fielder for a catch, then England’s genuine tail-end batters would have still needed four to win with just two wickets left, and who knows what would have happened then.

I agree that it’s difficult to see Pakistan winning the series now — England rarely, if ever are going to drop two consecutive home Tests — but I see no reason why Pakistan can’t win at least one of the remaining games, and then if the other game were to be affected by rain, the series could even end up shared as a 1-1 tie.

The most likely result from this series now (imo) is an England win by a minimum 2-1 margin; but anything can happen in the great game of Test cricket and I urge everyone to watch again on Thursday.

Exactly so — the most likely result before the series started was 3-0 with Pakistan fainting to compete in any of the Tests because of the fragile batting.
The fact that they got close in the first test, against a team playing at home and who had just come of three Tests against the WI, was IMHO extraordinary.
It will go downhill from here, but really some people on this site need to be realistic about expectations.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

They can still win, Pakistan. It'll be difficult, but it's not impossible

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Shan
Abid
Babar *Best batsman should bat at 3 even though I do think 4 is better but due to Azhar at 3*
Azhar *Awfully out of form, move to 4 might just give him some breathing space*
Fawad *Need a batsman as we struggle with the bat more than the ball and Fawad might be better*
Shafiq *Most runs at 6 for him throughout his career and should be played at that*
Rizwan
Yasir
Shaheen
Naseem
Abbas

Pakistan with 1 down in the series, needs to play their best 3 seamers now as need to try and win the test to level the series.

 

[Shafi]

Should be an easy game for England with highly motivated win against us. On the contrary our team will play more defensive and perform worse. There is no technical coaches in the team to rectify players' mistakes.

 

[shamaan]

We know azhar and shafiq will play so

Abid ali
Shan
Imaam
Azhar
Babar
Rizwan
Shafiq
Shah
Shaheen
Abbas
Naseem

We need to strength the batting so hence imaam comes in at 3 or down the order

 

[PakHammer]

Shan
Abid
Babar *Best batsman should bat at 3 even though I do think 4 is better but due to Azhar at 3*
Azhar *Awfully out of form, move to 4 might just give him some breathing space*
Fawad *Need a batsman as we struggle with the bat more than the ball and Fawad might be better*
Shafiq *Most runs at 6 for him throughout his career and should be played at that*
Rizwan
Yasir
Shaheen
Naseem
Abbas

Pakistan with 1 down in the series, needs to play their best 3 seamers now as need to try and win the test to level the series.

That's a decent pick. I would make two changes though, Wahab instead of Naseem and Iman instead of Abid.

Wahab gets my pick as need a bit of aggression and experience. Sohail Khan has not got the fitness to bowl well in a second innings.

 

[Shafi]

SUddenly with Stokes out, Pakistan again has a chance to win this series
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] what do you think now? No stokes, only root and buttler, can Pakistan still pull of a win ?

Our team doesn't have the skill to beat team like Eng even without Stokes in test. After yesterday's match our players will play more defensive with their faulty technique. Plus Misbah may drop Shadab who can easily any of Shafiq/Azhar as a batsman. Faheem will not even score 20 runs. Will be very low scoring match.

 

[TamiL_GarvaM!]

As an indian neutral -was test cricket at its fascinating best. sincere commiserations to pak fans, as an indian been there, experienced that. Fact is your bowling attack is awesome and amongst the top in the world. Fact also is, AA's captiancy skills and some of his fields for the leggies was pathetic. Where you really lost was not in Eng's chase of 277 but your second innings where a golden chance to blow eng out of the water was missed. That run out of Asad Shafiq, just when he was going to get going (and he was pushed inbto that run by shadab) was pathetic. Lastly, have heard a lot about Fawad and if you guys wanna do something about your batting, its time you play fawad. As for Eng, i guess Sam curran should come in for Anderson and can't figure out why moeen ali aint playing, he always takes bagfuls against us -India. Am gobsmacked by ollie pope, dude is a star in the making and was unluck in both innings to get such fab deliveries....all in all , second test should be a cracker - all the best to my pak bros....test cricket rocks - give us another massive display of skills...cheers

 

[shamaan]

Our team doesn't have the skill to beat team like Eng even without Stokes in test. After yesterday's match our players will play more defensive with their faulty technique. Plus Misbah may drop Shadab who can easily any of Shafiq/Azhar as a batsman. Faheem will not even score 20 runs. Will be very low scoring match.

I wouldnt play fahim I'd play the extra Bateman

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

I think we need to add Fawad Alam but keep the squad the same. We have to give these guys time we cant just discard them. Many of these guys are playing in England for the first time.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Lots of pessimism above.

On an emotional level I do understand why, after what happened yesterday, but actually the result was very close and came down to some extremely slender margins. For example, Woakes hit the winning runs with an edged boundary, but if that ball had gone to a fielder for a catch, then England’s genuine tail-end batters would have still needed four to win with just two wickets left, and who knows what would have happened then.

I agree that it’s difficult to see Pakistan winning the series now — England rarely, if ever are going to drop two consecutive home Tests — but I see no reason why Pakistan can’t win at least one of the remaining games, and then if the other game were to be affected by rain, the series could even end up shared as a 1-1 tie.

The most likely result from this series now (imo) is an England win by a minimum 2-1 margin; but anything can happen in the great game of Test cricket and I urge everyone to watch again on Thursday.

The problem is that the Rose Bowl pitch will be fast and bouncy. If it is then Pakistan have 0 chance to win.

 

[Mamoon]

SUddenly with Stokes out, Pakistan again has a chance to win this series
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] what do you think now? No stokes, only root and buttler, can Pakistan still pull of a win ?

Don’t see it happening. We will talk a lot but the truth is that we are mentally shot now. England would have to play some exceptionally poor cricket not to walk all over us.

 

[MenInG]

Weather a factor in Southampton - all seam attack with Yasir? or all seam with Shadab and an extra fast bowler?

 

[Mesozoic]

Weather a factor in Southampton - all seam attack with Yasir? or all seam with Shadab and an extra fast bowler?

You can't just drop Yasir after how he faired in the first test (both bat and ball).

 

[castortroy]

Weather a factor in Southampton - all seam attack with Yasir? or all seam with Shadab and an extra fast bowler?

Thunderstorms predicted.

Yasir will get smashed from here onwards

 

[mon858]

It will take guts to drop one of yasir or shadab who both did their jo. in respective positions. But we cannot afford to play 2 spinners in 2nd test considering groundweather etc. I would replace one with sohail khan. not sure chihv one.

 

[mon858]

Also if Naseem shah has aindication of fitness issuethen i would play wahab as like for likepacereplacementwho also strengthens batting and brings experience for tough pressure situations.

 

[mon858]

Abid can be replacedwith imam, but doubt misbah will make too many changes

 

[MenInG]

My team for 2nd Test - get rid of Asad Shafiq!


1. Shan Masood
2. Azhar Ali
3. Imam ul Haq
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Shadab Khan
7. Mohammad Rizwan
8. Yasir Shah
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Naseem Shah

 

[ManFan]

No matter what happens, unless those two mental midgets are eradicated, Pakistan will continue to lose, especially overseas.

 

[Nervesofsteel]

My team for 2nd Test - get rid of Asad Shafiq!


1. Shan Masood
2. Azhar Ali
3. Imam ul Haq
4. Babar Azam
5. Fawad Alam
6. Shadab Khan
7. Mohammad Rizwan
8. Yasir Shah
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10. Mohammad Abbas
11. Naseem Shah

Asad Shafiq is not going anywhere.

 

[fight_club]

Knowing Misbah only youngsters will get the kick. If you are on the right side of thirties than Misbah can make you blush with his kindness.

Only shahdab will be moved otherwise he will play the same team. Those who are daydreaming of getting rid of shafiq be ready to see him as pakistan next skipper.

 

[fight_club]

Don’t see it happening. We will talk a lot but the truth is that we are mentally shot now. England would have to play some exceptionally poor cricket not to walk all over us.

Being a long time since something remotely objective came out from you. Like would you care to explain how 7th ranked team managed to outplay 4th ranked team in 10 sessions out of 12.

How 8th rank team managed to beat England surely there are some demons lurkimg in the corner of this 4th ranked english team that it ties itself in knots.

Wait, that makes two of you

 

[ChTab]

I would surely bench Asad for Fawad and bring in Imam for Shadab if there is not much spin at Southampton. Further as Azhar is the captain he has to play probably but, I wont play him with his reflexes at no 3 now. Shan and Fawad can contribute as 5th bowler. Abid deserves another go I think.

I still think Shaheen and Naseem are much better than the lot on the bench but, if anything they should assess fitness and rest one by replacing him with Sohail Khan or Shinwari if necessary.

Shan
Abid
Imam
Babar
Azhar
Fawad
Rizwan
Yasir
Naseem/ Sohail Khan/ Shinwari
Shaheen
Abbas

If they want to rest Naseem, they will have to use Shaheen in short spells and full throttle.

I'd rather open with Imam, Abid can come at 1 down. Not so sure about Azhar at number 5 but to be fair he doesn't merit a place in the team as batter so maybe most obvious position for him.

 

[PakFan2010]

Can't believe people are dropping Asad Shafiq.

Have they forgotten about his 137 vs Australia against an attack including Starc and Cummings?

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Can't believe people are dropping Asad Shafiq.

Have they forgotten about his 137 vs Australia against an attack including Starc and Cummings?

That's exactly why he is in the team for the last four years despite the fact that his average is decreasing every series.

 

[hitthestump]

I have a good feeling that Fawad will be in for Shafiq.

If nothing else i'd be so relieved that finally his stupid record of consecutive matches will finally come to an end.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

I have a good feeling that Fawad will be in for Shafiq.

If nothing else i'd be so relieved that finally his stupid record of consecutive matches will finally come to an end.

There is no way Misbah is dropping his mate Asad after a 20 + score and being run out. He will say that he was unlucky and will do well in the next game.

One or two big names could be dropped for the final test though.

 

[El Generico]

Fawad for Shadab should be the only change. Shadab was actually pretty good but we need the extra batting.

 

[Kroll]

I don't think Fawad coming in for Shadab will make much difference.

If the pitch is going to be fast and bouncy, could be worth taking a punt on PP's favourite cricketer Faheem Ashraf to bolster the bowling and giving the pacers the required rest.

 

[hitthestump]

I don't think Fawad coming in for Shadab will make much difference.

If the pitch is going to be fast and bouncy, could be worth taking a punt on PP's favourite cricketer Faheem Ashraf to bolster the bowling and giving the pacers the required rest.

I don't think Faheem is good enough to bolster an attack. So if we're looking for someone to help rotate the main 3 you may as well just throw Shan or Azhar the ball when neccesary and play the extra batsman instead.

 

[shamaan]

Weather a factor in Southampton - all seam attack with Yasir? or all seam with Shadab and an extra fast bowler?

I fought Southampton spin can play a big role ?

 

[shamaan]

I don't think Fawad coming in for Shadab will make much difference.

If the pitch is going to be fast and bouncy, could be worth taking a punt on PP's favourite cricketer Faheem Ashraf to bolster the bowling and giving the pacers the required rest.

Isnt the southampton pitch spin friendly to ?

 

[azimiqbal]

It’s madness we have to drop shadab bring in a batsman play fawad at 5 and Shafiq at 6

 

[shamaan]

It’s madness we have to drop shadab bring in a batsman play fawad at 5 and Shafiq at 6

Why?

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

Man if only Pakistan played this team

Shan
Azhar
Babar
Fawad
Shafiq
Rizwan
Faheem
Yasir
Shaheen
Naseem
Abbas

 

[Deewana Mastana]

That's a decent pick. I would make two changes though, Wahab instead of Naseem and Iman instead of Abid.

Wahab gets my pick as need a bit of aggression and experience. Sohail Khan has not got the fitness to bowl well in a second innings.

Wahab does not make the cut for me as he has not played a Test for 2 years neither a FC game.

His line and length is all over the place neither he is 90mph at most 87-88mph with the effort ball at 90mph. Including him at 35 just for the sake that he can reverse the old ball just does not make any sense.

Same goes for Sohail Khan at 35 as well, grunting in while he sends down 80-82mph thunderbolts with the odd ball at 84mph.

Pakistan's reserve bowlers are not something that excites to see as they lack vision, Amir's retirement after so many years of investment has hit them as he would have been ideal to lead this attack with one of Shaheen or Naseem rotated around.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

The posts on here are hilarious — if we win we are a reincarnation of Lloyd’s West Indians or Waugh’s Australians and if we lose we are the worst side in the world.
I am particularly disappointed by the “well, I’m not watching this lot any more” brigade.

True fans follow their teams through thick and thin and are not just glory seekers

There's me lad....spoken like a true fan...You r talking indian fan watching cricket from late 80's-90's ....i totally identify...chin up bhai....have faith...ur team aint that bad...eng aint that hot...u guys can still turn it around....and the series promises to be exciting - first test was awesome tc at its best...cheers..

 

[Yk313]

Couple of posts here regarding seam friendly conditions at Ageas Bowl... I thought Southampton was reasonably conducive to spinners? Thoughts?

 

[Mamoon]

Being a long time since something remotely objective came out from you. Like would you care to explain how 7th ranked team managed to outplay 4th ranked team in 10 sessions out of 12.

How 8th rank team managed to beat England surely there are some demons lurkimg in the corner of this 4th ranked english team that it ties itself in knots.

Wait, that makes two of you

You don’t need any bias to conclude that we are rubbish. It is a perfectly objective viewpoint.

We ran England close because they underperformed. Nearly 80% of their players were off-color, we won the toss, the conditions suited us, and we still failed to win the match.

In the next Test, England are unlikely to collectively underperform and thus, they are likely to thump us.

Let me put it this way - if both England and Pakistan are on their A game, England will comfortably beat Pakistan at home every single time.

 

[King_Kohli]

First test decide the series. Comeback is not easy.
Pakistan already lost the series.

 

[GreenKhan]

I do find some of the comments on hear very strange .

Upto Pakistan reducing England to 117-5 Pakistan has played a solid match .
They were brave in their selections to a certain extent ( playing two spinners ) and when they won the toss were brave to bat first to.

First innings went well . Better than expected . Shan played a blinder . An 8 hour vigil .

Second innings Batting was poor. But that’s happened so many times in the past regardless of who the management is, captain is. When we had 3 50 plus averaging batsman , Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousaf and Younis it still happened !

They bowled well in the first innings and for half the second innings and generally fielded well . I recall one drop catch .
Plus they had very little match practise .

It is very disappointing to lose . I watched every session ! But we need to be stop being so dismissive about the team .

They fought well and lacked the killer instinct to finish the game off . It was a close match not a thrashing .

 

[MMHS]

Couple of posts here regarding seam friendly conditions at Ageas Bowl... I thought Southampton was reasonably conducive to spinners? Thoughts?

A quality pacer will always have something in any English wicket, while it’s mid August and I read it’s a dry summer, English wickets will help spinners. Because, those wickets are true surface, built on rock hard base with proper soil mixture and moisture - every good player should enjoy their game, fast bowlers will get carry & pace, new ball will move in air and off the track, spinners will get bounce and they’ll have enough cracks to hurry batsmen while batsmen will enjoy value for this shots.

Ageas Bowl is one of England’s best Test wickets - it’s definitely faster than that OT track, a bit bouncy as well and how good for seemers will depend on how much grass they leave on it. If I were English management, I would have definitely played both Archer & Wood, backed by Woakes & Berbi with this Bess guy carrying water. Weather seems to be good enough for at least 400 overs, which should be more than enough for a direct result. Stokes is not playing still PAK will do well to compete here - a flat PAK might not make Poms bat twice

 

[Thephenom]

We won’t have to worry about loosing the test, just checked the weather forecast, rain, sometimes heavy across all 5 days, will be surprised if there’s one full days play!

 

[MMHS]

I do find some of the comments on hear very strange .

Upto Pakistan reducing England to 117-5 Pakistan has played a solid match .
They were brave in their selections to a certain extent ( playing two spinners ) and when they won the toss were brave to bat first to.

First innings went well . Better than expected . Shan played a blinder . An 8 hour vigil .

Second innings Batting was poor. But that’s happened so many times in the past regardless of who the management is, captain is. When we had 3 50 plus averaging batsman , Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousaf and Younis it still happened !

They bowled well in the first innings and for half the second innings and generally fielded well . I recall one drop catch .
Plus they had very little match practise .

It is very disappointing to lose . I watched every session ! But we need to be stop being so dismissive about the team .

They fought well and lacked the killer instinct to finish the game off . It was a close match not a thrashing .

It was definitely a much closer game that I expected, in fact when Buttler got out, I thought 20+ to defend still .... and it wasn’t a thrashing, rather a hard fought battle with honours even, but one of the two had to win and Asad’s run-out decided who that would be.

BUT, it was a confidence shattering game for PAK & confidence boasting game for Poms.

First Poms - everything that could have gone wrong happened to England in first innings - lost toss in a wicket made in Asia, dropped vital catches, allowed PAK’s nonexistent bottom half to add 150; then got blown away by PAK’s Achilles' heel - the new ball. Conceded a lead over 100 and then found themselves 161 away from win with top half gone - still they won and won without any significant contribution from their top four players - Stokes, Root, Archer, Jimmy. You don’t get a bigger moral booster than this.

Then PAK - it was a disaster, a nightmare for PAK cricket, because something happened which should shake the core of PAK cricket. PAK team will bolt in batting, drop catches, suffer some silly run-outs, make silly tactical calls ... these are very common, expected actually. I myself wrote after first day that unless they goof up second innings, they are in driving seat to win this game. But, what is alarming for PAK cricket is - on that surface, their much, much .... much vaunted & ******** bowling attack couldn’t defend 277, and England raced to the target at 3.5 rate, from 117/5. The amount of bravado we have read here regarding the bowling might of Shaheen, Naseem, Abbas prior to this series - this game is laughing at that; which is the key note here. Had that cursed guy Yasir not been there .... you know. More or less I have written about 100 times here - a struggling batting side for PAK is just another day in office; but a struggling bowling day for PAK is a sign that judgement day is closing in.

 

[Kroll]

Isnt the southampton pitch spin friendly to ?

Couple of posts here regarding seam friendly conditions at Ageas Bowl... I thought Southampton was reasonably conducive to spinners? Thoughts?

Its supposed to be conducive to spin but with not much cricket been played over the summer, there should be extra zip off the surface.

 

[Infinitee786]

Rumours of Sam Curran coming in for the second test in replacement of Stokes. Personally, I think that weakens their batting dramatically but their bowling would get a boost.

He bowls around 80mph but he does get the ball to talk. We saw this in the test vs West Indies. With the poor form of our top order, I reckon Sam Curran could be a dark horse with his inswing to our right handers. Have to be aggresive against him and rough up the bowl quickly. If the bowl doesn’t swing he becomes really easy pickings.

The downside is; as we saw England do against the Windies, with the overcast conditions they really worked hard and kept the bowl swinging for long periods.

I’d be inclined to bring in Fawad for his temperament and being left handed to create a left/right combo and put them off their lines abit.

 

[Abdullah719]

Official Statement - Dan Lawrence

Essex batsman Dan Lawrence has left England men’s bio-secure bubble due to a family bereavement.

Lawrence, who has yet to make his Test debut, was named as one of the reserves in the #raisethebat Test series against Pakistan. He will not be available for selection when the second Test starts on Thursday at the Ageas Bowl.

The England and Wales Cricket Board requests that the media respects Dan and his family’s request for privacy at this time.

England will not call-up a replacement for the second Test.

 

[Abdullah719]

England’s lineup will probably be:

Burns
Sibley
Crawley
Root
Pope
Buttler
Woakes
Curran
Broad
Two of Bess/Anderson/Archer/Wood

Unless they opt to play one of Woakes/Curran in the top 6 and play with 6 bowlers which is very unlikely. A pretty balanced lineup and Curran won’t be easy to handle.

 

[DandyFellow]

There is a possibility that England will go with an all-round pace attack if the pitch and conditions favor the pace bowling.
Sibley
Burns
Crawley.
Root
Pope
Buttler
Woakes
Sam Curran
Broad
Archer/Wood
Anderson/Wood

 

[hb787]

Rumours of Sam Curran coming in for the second test in replacement of Stokes. Personally, I think that weakens their batting dramatically but their bowling would get a boost.

.

I am guessing you haven’t seen Sam Curran bat against Indian bowling in 2018

 

[Abdullah719]

I am guessing you haven’t seen Sam Curran bat against Indian bowling in 2018

He may be good in the lower order but Stokes is currently number 7 in the Test batting rankings. He is one of the best batsmen in the world right now.

 

[shamaan]

There is a possibility that England will go with an all-round pace attack if the pitch and conditions favor the pace bowling.
Sibley
Burns
Crawley.
Root
Pope
Buttler
Woakes
Sam Curran
Broad
Archer/Wood
Anderson/Wood

I would go

Sibley
Burns
Crawley
Root
Pope
Buttler
Woakes
Sam
Wood
Broad
Anderson

 

[MenInG]

Boys are in Southampton!

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[ask_analyse_act]

Need to replace Abid Ali and rest one of Shaheen or Naseem

Why.. Abids first game in England and he did well to see off the new ball. No need to panic. May be for Naseem they can bring in Usman or Wahab or Haris Rauf. Also only one of Yasir or Shadab has to play not both
Sohail Khan or Faheem Ashraf need to play instead as a bowling all rounder.

 

[fight_club]

You don’t need any bias to conclude that we are rubbish. It is a perfectly objective viewpoint.

We ran England close because they underperformed. Nearly 80% of their players were off-color, we won the toss, the conditions suited us, and we still failed to win the match.

In the next Test, England are unlikely to collectively underperform and thus, they are likely to thump us.

Let me put it this way - if both England and Pakistan are on their A game, England will comfortably beat Pakistan at home every single time.

If it was not for bias, the word would have been "Outperformed"

We all know about ranking of teams and there is no insight we get when you repeat them like
a broken record. What I would like to know is how Masood being a left hander manage to
handle Broad so well something even Aussies batsmen couldn't do?

Don't come with Broad under performed. You need to remove the blinkers and really come
up with something which convince us that you have not lost it completely.

England is a quality team no doubt but they have many weakness as well and this Pakistan
team while lowly ranked has a very potent attack and its up to their batting to put up
respectable total something which they did and manage to put England under the pump

Cricket is played by humans and not robot (no, I am not Jofra in disguise) not many
are expecting this Pakistan team to steam roll England but we managed to almost
do that in the first test is no mean achievement and your bias or lack of comprehension
doesn't change that

 

[Thephenom]

Unless we want to give England batting practice don’t even think about bringing Wahab in!

 

[Mesozoic]

If I was Misbah, I'd bring in either Imam/Fawad in the middle order for Shadab.

The difference between Pak getting 330 in the first innings and getting bundled out for 160 in the second was the presence of a left-right combination at the crease for pretty much the whole of the former and a complete absence of it in the latter. At least the main difference IMO.

When you're up against the likes of Anderson, Broad, Woakes etc in English conditions.... you have to make sure they won't find that "spot" on the wicket where they can just keep hitting consistently.

Also if I was in mood for taking a gamble and that's a big "if" for someone like Misbah , I'd throw in Haris Rauf and drop Naseem. The batting order should also be revised to make Babar bat at 3. He should preferably come out to bat at 15/1 than at 30/2 with captain walking wicket being at no.3. Imam at 4 and then AA. My team would be....

Shan
Abid
Babar
Imam
Azhar
Shafiq
Rizwan
Yasir
Shaheen
Abbas
Haris Rauf

 

[Mesozoic]

And with all that said, it'll be very very hard to stop England now.

Expecting a big 100 from Root and an even bigger win for England if rain stays away.

 

[cricketfan11]

It's not so much the team selection that is the issue, the weak captaincy and clueless management are the bigger problems.

Having said that, there was little point in playing Shadab and preferring him over Fawad.

Azhar Ali will be under a lot of pressure. I hope he resigns soon because he is already a proven failure as captain. I think he is still a decent batsman though.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I don't think Fawad coming in for Shadab will make much difference.

If the pitch is going to be fast and bouncy, could be worth taking a punt on PP's favourite cricketer Faheem Ashraf to bolster the bowling and giving the pacers the required rest.

Wayne Rooney could bat better than faheem. Faheem’s highest score against a formidable side is 37 vs England.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

eagerly awaiting for the match to start tomorrow. Hopefully it is as entertaining as 1st test match.
Watching the third day was most fun as a boat load of wickets fell making things interesting and exciting.
Best of luck to both teams.

England will pick Curran for Stokes.. i feel. And Pakistan, i suspect Shadab will be dropped and they will pick another seamer.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Don’t see it happening. We will talk a lot but the truth is that we are mentally shot now. England would have to play some exceptionally poor cricket not to walk all over us.

Come on veere things are not that bad. They came close in the 1st test match. Now with England missing their Talisman, some chances have improved.
Never say never in Pakistan cricket i guess.

 

[Ab Fan]

Yasir or Shadab?

Who will Pakistan pick?

 

[ritzy_123]

1) Abid Ali
2) Shan Masood
3) Azhar Ali
4) Babar Azam
5) Fawad Alam
6) Muhammad Rizwan (WK)
7) Wahab Riaz
8) Yasir Shah
9) Sohail Khan
10) Shaheen Shah Afridi
11) Muhammad Abbas

 

[Pacy with wisdom]

Dont want fawad even if he was the last batsman on earth.

 

[sindhiboy]

Dont want fawad even if he was the last batsman on earth.

There was no way fawad was ever gonna be selected as asad is undroppable and pak won't play with 4 bowlers

 

[Nov15]

Weather forecast is bad for the entire duration of the 2nd test. 4-5 sessions could be washed out. Result is unlikely.

 

[Abdullah]

England will not make the same mistakes going forward. I don't see Pakistan winning many sessions, let alone a test.

Won't bother tuning for the rest of the series after this shocker. Shameful

England's batting is still not great and is about to get weaker with Crawley coming in for stokes.

We can do this

 

[Mueez]

I do have a feeling Pak will surprise us all.

 

[PakPremi]

Yasir or Shadab?

Who will Pakistan pick?

Its a no brainer aftet Yasir's perfomance in tbe first test.
its between Fawad, Imam and Shadab., even thogh Shadab performance was good as well but Fawad or Imam likely to make a bigger contribution in the batting once set. Our weakest part is the batting. Naseem has to be replaced by a more experienced bowler to outsmart English batsmen.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Dont want fawad even if he was the last batsman on earth.

Yeah! he is a hack he won't last more than few balls in these conditions.

 

[Infinitee786]

Yeah! he is a hack he won't last more than few balls in these conditions.

Genuinely interested as to how you view someone with over 12,000 runs at an average of 56 in first class cricket as a “hack”??

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Genuinely interested as to how you view someone with over 12,000 runs at an average of 56 in first class cricket as a “hack”??

He ensures ball hits the bat ... no timing , no shots ,nothing. If the ball hitting the bat finds the gap then he will take 1s 2s and 3s.

 

[Abdullah719]

Pics of nets for training session today (via Ageas Bowl groundsman)

Spoiler

 

[Manager101]

Genuinely interested as to how you view someone with over 12,000 runs at an average of 56 in first class cricket as a “hack”??

The level of biasness you will find here and among our selectors against Fawad Alam is at another level.

Sad state of affairs tbh.