Pakistan close on 198/4 in the 2nd Test at Multan, requiring another 157 runs to win

[MenInG]

Sky Sports' Nasser Hussain in Multan....

"It was sort of what we expected really.

"England were never going to plug their way to 400, they were going to be attacking and they lost wickets trying to be attacking.

"Bigger boundaries here in Multan so whereas Stokes could take the big boundary down in Rawalpindi, he got caught here and Brook on the fence.

"If you play like that.... you are dangling the carrot.

"This is still Day Three, if you think in Test match cricket which is the best day for batting, it is day Three.

"I just think England are waiting for that reverse swing that appeared after about 30 overs in the first innings."

 

[MenInG]

Broad: Pakistan playing best cricket so far

Stuart Broad in the Sky Sports Studio....

"It is probably Pakistan's best session of the series, isn't it?

"They have won with the ball and won with the bat.

"None down at lunch, the cricketing world has changed.

"There is no doubt that the England changing room will be the happier of the two at this point in the game but there is some hope there."

 

[MenInG]

 

[pratiktc]

A wicket keeper batsman is not going to score every inning.

But expectation of Rizwan is more. He is a 40+ test avg batter for Pak with scores in Australia as well.

He should be playing game influencing inns not these half formed 30s and 40s.

Anyone can get out cheaply, that is matter of form and luck. But if batter is continuously getting set but not able to carry on then it is bigger problem

 

[Cric1234]

England are likely to take wickets after the 35 over mark if Pakistan are less than 4 5 down by 80 overs and don’t slow the run rate they have a chance otherwise the lower order can collapse at any time.

England will always be favourites here Anderson Robinson and Stokes will take wickets with the older ball.

 

[Kianig89]

I wish Shahid Afridi was there this team is crying out for a young Afridi who can hit bowlers out of Park at will being 64/0 imagine somebody scores a 90ball 120 here all of a sudden target is reduced

 

[Cric1234]

I wish Shahid Afridi was there this team is crying out for a young Afridi who can hit bowlers out of Park at will being 64/0 imagine somebody scores a 90ball 120 here all of a sudden target is reduced

Haider Ali?

Umar Akmal? (Best Pakistani test batsman of 2010s)

Fakhar Zaman?

Although Fakhar isn’t a natural test batsman he can score quickly on Asian wickets much rather him then Azhar Imam Masood boring everyone to sleep.

 

[James]

15 overs gone, so I imagine another 10 and the England seamers will start to be used much more heavily. This worked a treat for them in Rawalpindi as the ball got increasingly older.

Pakistan had a great comeback session in the morning, but really England only need to have one good session out of the next three (such is their box seat match position) and they’ll be well on the way.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Good start but to win the game one of the openers have to carry their bat through or give a 200+ opening stand

With a tail starting at 5, would need openers to scored 340 here.

 

[shah_1]

What a bowl to Rizwan

Legend Anderson

 

[shah_1]

Collapse incoming

 

[James]

The man. The legend.

 

[Rana]

Beauty by Anderson

 

[Rana]

Another start

Another failure

 

[shah_1]

A bowler like Anderson can never be replicated. His longevity

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Waqar Younis on Anderson's ball - "simply ouch-standing".

 

[m.shah]

Anderson legend

 

[shah_1]

Tuk Tuk on

 

[wrongun]

Jimmy Anderson has spent the last 5 years demolishing my opinions of him and taking them a step further every time.

First from very good Test bowler but limited and on to excellent bowler. Then that his away record and abilities would forever preclude him from true greatness. But he just keeps getting better. In England, in Oz, in Asia.

Quite willing to put Jimmy down as a bowling legend now. ATG in any currency. Not easy in the era's he's played through. Hats off Jimmy Anderson, take a bow. It's been a pleasure being proved wrong a few times.

 

[Ahmed216]

Beauty by Anderson

Good delivery. But rizwan was pushing at it

 

[shah_1]

Surely you get extra points for longevity when you're being compared to greats

 

[shah_1]

Good delivery. But rizwan was pushing at it

He didn't expect the bowl to straighten from that angle on this pitch

 

[AAli98]

Only a matter of time now, to get schooled in your own conditions by a nothing Eng team is embarrassing!!

Ramiz
Baba
Yousaf (Bucher of Sydney test)
Saqlain

Filthy combination

 

[MHN1293]

These two need to put on a 150 run partnership or else it's over I'm afraid

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistans pathetic habit of losing a wicket at restart of session. Typical rizwan inns, nice 20s and 30s ain't good enough

 

[Ahmed216]

Need to show some intent make the bowler think

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pretty much the only 2 batsmen who can score big when Pakistan bats last in now. Once these 2 are gone it's game over.

 

[Ahmed216]

These two need to put on a 150 run partnership or else it's over I'm afraid

200

 

[shah_1]

Lose a wicket and suddenly they forget how to bat

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Swung in slightly and then nipped away. Magic ball - Akramesque.

 

[abughio]

This is very strange that eng fast bowlers getting purchase here.. and Pakistani spinners were struggling

 

[wrongun]

Surely you get extra points for longevity when you're being compared to greats

It's part of the equation for sure. Not the only part, but it matters.

And it's part of the equation for why nations that play 2-3 match series and never 4-5 and end up with 20% fewer Tests get a little bit ignored.

 

[Sidilicious]

Jimmy Anderson has spent the last 5 years demolishing my opinions of him and taking them a step further every time.

First from very good Test bowler but limited and on to excellent bowler. Then that his away record and abilities would forever preclude him from true greatness. But he just keeps getting better. In England, in Oz, in Asia.

Quite willing to put Jimmy down as a bowling legend now. ATG in any currency. Not easy in the era's he's played through. Hats off Jimmy Anderson, take a bow. It's been a pleasure being proved wrong a few times.

Exactly my sentiments

 

[Rana]

Thank you for coming Babar

 

[Cric1234]

Pakistan are minnows in tests now no SENA should give them more than 2 tests next time around they need to be given the same status as Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

How bad can selectors and coaches be even a non qualified person can do a better job says it all really.

 

[Desi Don]

fake king gone

 

[PakPremi]

Pakistan came into thematch with one batsman short and now Imam not being able to bat at top will not help their cause. It will be very difficult for Pakistan with a good balance and accurate pace bowler attack and Leach bowling well. England are well ahead I think.

 

[Rana]

Jab Matters bade hote hain

Bobby Bhai pavilion main hote hain

 

[shah_1]

It is over for Pakistan after Babar wicket


Such brilliant planning, they covered all the angles so well for Babar. Didn't let him score on off side at all. Well done Stokes and the management

 

[Cric1234]

Another pressure situation another failure for King Babar.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Both frauds gone in quick succession

 

[Ahmed216]

This is very strange that eng fast bowlers getting purchase here.. and Pakistani spinners were struggling

Our batsmen do nothing to put the bowlers off their areas.

 

[castortroy]

Should be babar last game as captain now

 

[James]

Pakistan to win this, putting this nonsensical approach from England to bed. They could have easily ensured a victory by grinding Pakistan to the ground. But a brave fight back from Pakistan looks likely now

Sorry, you were saying?

Don’t speak too soon in Test cricket.

This approach has won England 7 out of the last 8 Tests, it’s not going to change, and rightly so too.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Babar bottles it game over

 

[Shafi]

This guy fail when needed most. Babar wouldn't find a place in top 4 teams for sure. Can only perform on flat pitches with 3rd string players.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Pak didn't have a chance at the start of the innings. No way were they going to chase 355.

 

[castortroy]

How are England getting so much movement

 

[shah_1]

England are on another level

Pakistan is a minnow test team, on par with WI and Bang

 

[hamzie]

waqar - we have seen 2 ball in this series that we have not seen in this series

what??

 

[James]

Jimmy Anderson has spent the last 5 years demolishing my opinions of him and taking them a step further every time.

First from very good Test bowler but limited and on to excellent bowler. Then that his away record and abilities would forever preclude him from true greatness. But he just keeps getting better. In England, in Oz, in Asia.

Quite willing to put Jimmy down as a bowling legend now. ATG in any currency. Not easy in the era's he's played through. Hats off Jimmy Anderson, take a bow. It's been a pleasure being proved wrong a few times.

Perfect post.

 

[kukkad kamaal]

Babar as usual. Never expected from him. So can't blame him.

 

[Cric1234]

It is over for Pakistan after Babar wicket


Such brilliant planning, they covered all the angles so well for Babar. Didn't let him score on off side at all. Well done Stokes and the management

There was never any chance to start with what’s needed now is a batsman to throw caution to the wind and score 70 80 quick runs oh wait no attacking batsman is selected.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan getting done by reverse and swing in home conditions, new low here.

 

[James]

waqar - we have seen 2 ball in this series that we have not seen in this series

what??

He comes out with some nonsense.

 

[daytrader]

waqar - we have seen 2 ball in this series that we have not seen in this series

what??

Earlier he was saying there's no demons in the pitch so that's why is surprised by the two wicket taking deliveries

 

[Ahmed216]

It is over for Pakistan after Babar wicket


Such brilliant planning, they covered all the angles so well for Babar. Didn't let him score on off side at all. Well done Stokes and the management

Exactly. But how easy it is to trap our premier batsman

 

[Rana]

Babar Azam said in that PCB dinner that he doesn’t believe in dressing room superstition because he is ‘mostly at the crease anyways and therefore doesn’t really do such things such as sitting in one position until someone else is out there’.

Mate, you were in the pavilion throughout the Asia cup and ICC world T20

 

[Suleiman]

Babar with another legendary 2nd innings performance.

 

[shah_1]

Why would Babar Azam leave a ball when the ball is reversing and also pitch is so bouncing so low. Very poor from Babar

 

[Amjid Javed]

1 more wicket and pakistans tail is in.

 

[Rana]

Shafique playing how he likes to play:

Not want to score runs

 

[sindhiboy]

And I thought australia had the best fast bowling attack

 

[Sidilicious]

Sorry, you were saying?

Don’t speak too soon in Test cricket.

This approach has won England 7 out of the last 8 Tests, it’s not going to change, and rightly so too.

Fair enough. I was wrong here. Pakistan is too poor a test team to make the most of Englands mistakes. But were this in Australia or India, it would be criminal of England to take the same approach when being 280 runs ahead with 5 wickets in hand at the end of day 2. India and Aus will not let England off after making such mistakes.

Even though I was wrong here, I will stand by my opinion that just aggression like they showed in the 1st session with the bat this morning will lost them more tests against better test sides. Controlled aggression like 3rd session yesterday is also aggressive and is more likely to produce better results.

Alain Prost says - or something like that - the best driver isn’t always the fastest.

 

[TheSultan]

The sooner babar and Rizwan’s imprint on this team is removed the better.

Real negative, loser mindset.

If they have to be dropped for that to happen then so be it

 

[RyanRyan10]

Fair enough. I was wrong here. Pakistan is too poor a test team to make the most of Englands mistakes. But were this in Australia or India, it would be criminal of England to take the same approach when being 280 runs ahead with 5 wickets in hand at the end of day 2. India and Aus will not let England off after making such mistakes.

Even though I was wrong here, I will stand by my opinion that just aggression like they showed in the 1st session with the bat this morning will lost them more tests against better test sides. Controlled aggression like 3rd session yesterday is also aggressive and is more likely to produce better results.

Alain Prost says - or something like that - the best driver isn’t always the fastest.

This match isn't over yet. Why are you giving up so soon?

 

[Ahmed216]

Fair enough. I was wrong here. Pakistan is too poor a test team to make the most of Englands mistakes. But were this in Australia or India, it would be criminal of England to take the same approach when being 280 runs ahead with 5 wickets in hand at the end of day 2. India and Aus will not let England off after making such mistakes.

Even though I was wrong here, I will stand by my opinion that just aggression like they showed in the 1st session with the bat this morning will lost them more tests against better test sides. Controlled aggression like 3rd session yesterday is also aggressive and is more likely to produce better results.

Alain Prost says - or something like that - the best driver isn’t always the fastest.

With you on this mate. England have batted poorly in this test but Pakistan have managed to do even worse

 

[James]

Fair enough. I was wrong here. Pakistan is too poor a test team to make the most of Englands mistakes. But were this in Australia or India, it would be criminal of England to take the same approach when being 280 runs ahead with 5 wickets in hand at the end of day 2. India and Aus will not let England off after making such mistakes.

Even though I was wrong here, I will stand by my opinion that just aggression like they showed in the 1st session with the bat this morning will lost them more tests against better test sides. Controlled aggression like 3rd session yesterday is also aggressive and is more likely to produce better results.

Alain Prost says - or something like that - the best driver isn’t always the fastest.

Ok bro. I respect your views.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Whats with these dumb leave shots

 

[sindhiboy]

Robinson has owned babar this test

Anderson has owned Rizwan the whole series

 

[TheSultan]

Again credit to England again. They have clarity of thought, clarity of mind.

Batting we all know about. But even with the bowling. They bowl to a plan, they work together as a team meticulously to get reverse swing.

Our bowling strategy is nowhere, our batting strategy is nowhere.

Shoaib said it best. England are here to save test cricket, Pakistan just to save their jobs

 

[Ahmed216]

Shakeel is very likeable. Good technique and calm at the crease.

 

[shah_1]

They are not letting saud drive the ball just like Babar Azam

Brilliant

 

[Devadwal]

After lunch 7 over 7 run and 2 wicket

 

[Cric1234]

Blocking won’t work on this pitch with the older ball England will keep taking wickets poor cricket being played no chance of blocking your way to a win.

 

[Farabi]

Ok bro. I respect your views.

It’s not entirely wrong.
This is a Pakistan team without first choice seamers Shaheen, Naseem, and Rauf. No shadab for unknown reasons. Recent bowlers like Hassan Ali, Abbas and Yasir Ali also missing. Pakistan making 4 debuts (Zahid, Abrar, Mohammad Ali, Rauf) and 2 comebacks (Nawaz, Fahim) in bowling department.
Playing last test without Rauf, and this innings without Imam.
England has played really really well, but I’m not sure if this is the testament of bazball yet.

 

[Savak]

Babar over rated incompetent choker Azam. Been brutally exposed in the last 4 months

 

[Savak]

Pakistan should just wave the white flag. England have exposed this team as a minnow.

If Saqlain, Mohd Wasim, Yousaf, Babar, Tait don't get fired for this then I don't know when they will.

 

[Rana]

I hope Bazid gets moved on too

He has been torturous to listen to

 

[RyanRyan10]

Babar over rated incompetent choker Azam. Been brutally exposed in the last 4 months

Pakistan had lost 3 home series with him in the squad before these 4 months and he had failed at crucial junctures in those 3 series as well. He is a good batsman but not as good as some of his ****** believe.