England vs Pakistan | 3rd Test | Southampton | Aug 21-25, 2020 | Day 1

[Thulsa]

Pakistan’s worst day of the tour imo, and it could have cost them their chance of winning this Test and taking a tied series back to Pakistan.

The captaincy was predictably poor, but for the first time in a while both the fielding and (very surprisingly) the bowling have looked pretty poor as well.

I disagree - the longer a series goes the more teams will stand apart if there is a gulf in quality. After the first test, there was all this talk of how Pakistan bosses 3 of the 5 days. Even then many, including myself, pointed out that England won despite having a howler in the field. And that’s the hallmark not of luck but a large gulf in quality.

This first day has shown that.

 

[Pacy with wisdom]

There is a talent crisis in Pakistan. All these corruption and nepotism are excuses to defend our decline as a cricket nation.

We are a small team now.

Dude, just say you have a small meek heart that is devoid of strength to find any light when times are difficult.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

I dont know why we even have a FC system if you are'nt going to select its top performers. I understand some indviduals are prodigious and they should be selected early but majority of selections should be on merit.
Looking at the I wont be suprised if Pakistan make 500 here. The pitch looks DEAD to me. Edges are not carrying and there is minimal movement

Fawad
Salahuddin
Kamran
Imran Farhat

Your top 4 with the best average in FC since 2010. Do you really want any of these guys in the team?

Our FC system has been pathetic to say the least.
The changes Imran has made won't make a difference for another 2-3 years.

 

[Manunited18]

They already had an off day in the Old trafford match. Being unable to defend 277 is inexcusable.

Maybe at old Trafford, but this is a opening day test on a flat deck .

 

[Mamoon]

Dude, just say you have a small meek heart that is devoid of strength to find any light when times are difficult.

Yeah I don’t like to find light when there is none. That is a recipe for disappointment and I don’t want that.

Why should I pretend that we are good when we are absolutely rubbish?

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Shan isn’t that great either... apart from his one 150, hasn’t done much in the series.

Well he fits that criteria that has been set by some guys here. I am not sure either if he could change things, but seems to understand cricket and tactically better than Azhar.

I mentioned Shan because of that 'educated' and 'elite' criteria.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

If this is a flat wicket (and indeed looks like it) then Babar has to prove he belongs to that Fab 5 that Nasser mentioned earlier in the series.

No point being kept a high pedestal if you can't rescue your team with a daddy hundred on flat wickets.

 

[sweep_shot]

332/4 after 90 overs.

Stumps.

A dominating day from England.

 

[Manunited18]

Bar kohli and Smith and maybe Williamson the so called fab 5 is a myth

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Zak Crawley really should try to score 300 here and take a leaf out of Warner's book. . He won't get an easier bowling attack to score one off against. The bowling has been very weak albeit on a slow pitch

 

[Titan24]

Only thing Pak can do here is to get Eng finish under 400s and then try to go as close as they can to the total.

Wicket doesnt have much but Pak’s plans and strategies were rubbish.

 

[Titan24]

Zak Crawley really should try to score 300 here and take a leaf out of Warner's book. . He won't get an easier bowling attack to score one off against. The bowling has been very weak albeit on a slow pitch

At the current rate of scoring and comfort level he may as well target Lara’s record.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Fawad
Salahuddin
Kamran
Imran Farhat

Your top 4 with the best average in FC since 2010. Do you really want any of these guys in the team?

Our FC system has been pathetic to say the least.
The changes Imran has made won't make a difference for another 2-3 years.

Saluhuddin should have been picked, and Fawad long ago during his prime. They could have been very good players. Yes there are some FC bullies like Farhat but that's in every country.

You have to give them a try, they are much more likely to perform than random PSL hacks.

Don't tell me you actual advocate PSL selections

 

[Nikhil_cric]

At the current rate of scoring and comfort level he may as well target Lara’s record.

Gotta make time allowances for rain

 

[Titan24]

Crawley talking about loose balls that made it easier for him to start off.

 

[Titan24]

Gotta make time allowances for rain

Weather is pretty clear as per forecasts

 

[Rajdeep]

Can Crawley do a Warner tomorrow and score triple?

 

[Napa]

At the current rate of scoring and comfort level he may as well target Lara’s record.

Lara's "record" will never be broken because no team will throw away the chance of winning a game to be able to break the record.

 

[Mesozoic]

It'll be a long day tomorrow for Azhar Ali and co.

 

[coy0607]

Lara's "record" will never be broken because no team will throw away the chance of winning a game to be able to break the record.

England will win the series regardless, then you can argue that a record like that would be more beneficial to English cricket than winning a single test match.

That record is likely to hold for a long long time, a single test match win against a weaker opponent will be soon forgotten and doesn't have much implication beyond the next month.

 

[Ab Fan]

England should bat and post 600 on board.

Let's cheer out 300 for Crawley

 

[Markhor]

They screwed it up at Old Trafford. Hopefully this'll conclude Azhar's captaincy tenure.

 

[Markhor]

Azhar said the team were inspired from watching Ertugul.

Judging from this performance, they were more likely watching Comedy Central.

 

[Thephenom]

Maybe they were watching how to loose a sporting contest in one day?!

 

[Napa]

England will win the series regardless, then you can argue that a record like that would be more beneficial to English cricket than winning a single test match.

That record is likely to hold for a long long time, a single test match win against a weaker opponent will be soon forgotten and doesn't have much implication beyond the next month.

I doubt any team will give any batsman enough time to score 400. Warner was not out on 335, scoring at a rate of 4.8 r/o and he wasn't given the chance to get to 400.

 

[Syed1]

If Misbah and Azhar have some shame they would retire after this test, but they are shameless and beghairat.

 

[Slog]

If Misbah and Azhar have some shame they would retire after this test, but they are shameless and beghairat.

Misbah has this ability to turn everything he touches into Poop

 

[watson367]

We deserve this humiliation lmao

 

[The Viper]

Second 200+ fifth wicket stand for Eng against Pak after 219 by Paul Collingwood & Eoin Morgan in Trent Bridge in 2010

Highest scores at the end of day 1 for Eng vs Pak

406/2 The Oval, 1962
386/4 Edgbaston, 1962
347/6 Leeds, 2006
332/4 Southampton, 2020
331/4 Trent Bridge, 2010

 

[Robert]

Double century partnership. I thought Crawley would be last out for 70 and the rest would go down in a heap.

 

[JaDed]

Double century partnership. I thought Crawley would be last out for 70 and the rest would go down in a heap.

I thought the same, but having seen English middle order in last one year I knew there was a 25% chance of this going either way, they are your saving grace someone effin steps up in tests even on non-flat deck, and this is pretty flat.

Have to say by hook or crook this is the most balanced English side I have seen since I started watching in 90's ,barring the good 2011-2013(tests) and 2005(tests) which were never consistent.

Irrespective it would be tough to bowl for English as well since Babar,Rizwan,Masood are in good touch although I do see Azhar Ali and Asad making a huge comeback here lol just to troll the Pakistani fans

 

[MenInG]

SHANE WARNE (on Sky Sports) reflects on a difficult day for Pakistan's bowling attack:

"It wasn’t easy conditions to bowl. This was really tough for all these bowlers going into this breeze.

"It’s cold, it’s swirling – it’s not even in your face, it’s coming from different directions. When it swirls like that, it’s very hard to get your rhythm.

"Pakistan stuck at it most of the day. There was a bit in it early but once the ball went soft, which it seemed to pretty quickly, there wasn’t as much pace in the pitch as we saw in this last match.

"The way Buttler and Crawley got together, and put on 200, was good cricket to watch. They had a lot of intent, an array of shots and really flexed their muscles a bit and piled the pain on for Pakistan."

 

[AZulfi]

I think England have already batted us out of this game. They will look to bat only once in this game.

A total of 450-500 will be too much for our batsmen to handle in these conditions (rain is forecast tonight (but it will be sunny tomorrow and on day 3) and on 4th and 5th days of this test.

We are essentially a 200-250 batting line up at present! May even lose this test by an innings

England win the series 2-0.

I would be happy to be proved wrong but this is my prediction

Bottom line: Pak should not have lost the first test

 

[gibsyhesperis]

I am surprised everyone is so downhearted.
Before the series started most of us, who have seen a lot of cricket, predicted a 3-0 defeat to England. The fact that we competed in the first test was a minor miracle. There is a wide guif between the sides and Test cricket exposes that. We will probably lose this test but we should try and put up a credible performance. Babar should be expect d to perform — flat wicket, sunny weather (assuming Pak bat some time tomorrow and Sun). You can’t be hailed as a portmeial great if you don’t come to the party when it matters.
We will still lose however.

 

[Usman Chadda]

England will bat once in this game.

Not surprised by this mauling.

 

[tyron_woodley]

and stokes dint even play. rofl.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Bar kohli and Smith and maybe Williamson the so called fab 5 is a myth

it's smith and kohli.
then light years.

followed by root puji Williamson and babar.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Pakistan hopefully bats well. C'mon draw this and take it to the last game. I want a thriller. I have absolutely no faith in azhar and asad though.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Pakistan hopefully bats well. C'mon draw this and take it to the last game. I want a thriller. I have absolutely no faith in azhar and asad though.

This is the last game

 

[Nervesofsteel]

I guess this is what happens when you watch shows like Ertugul for inspiration. Pathetic performance and worst captaincy.