Re: Pak V England - First test Match
I most certainly agree. Pakistan should be given the charge from the very first ball tomorrow morning, and if that is the case, Afridi, and not Faisal, should be sent in one-down position. 341 is more than enough to chase on a last day, and given a full set of entire day's worth of overs to bat on, this could very well end in a definite 'yes' or 'no result.
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
Naw, we will lose if we do so...and if we dont lose a wicket for 10-15 overs, I agree that we should send Afridi since he can't handle pressure at the end of the innings.
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
Really good bowling effort from Pakistan specially kaneria and afridi. Frankly speaking Pakistan could have been in a totally different position, if they had taken those catches in the first innings. Even though England scored 528 but still I think Pakistan were a better bowling side in this match.
Lets see how long Pakistan will have to bat tomorrow. The target will be around 375 runs in 80 overs. As woolmer said in an interview after the day, Pakistan could take their chances afer tea depending upon the situation. Ideally Pakistan should only lose 3 wickets by then, however even then, I don't think Pakistan will be attempting a chase.
The only result in Pakistan's favor will be a draw.
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
Two reasons I suggested why Afridi should be sent in one-down position. Firstly, it would prevent Faisal from being trapped in with the new ball once again, which very well could shut the doors on him from playing International cricket for a certain period of time, considering he is only a temporary, and not full-time, addition to our middle-order. Secondly, which is what you have mentioned above, Afridi is by and large unable to lift off the pressure through his batting, and it would be better if we lose him out early rather than look forward to him batting down the order. Iqbal, in place of Afridi at #6 or #7 position, would be a much reliable batter if we are forced to draw out the match (losing early wickets), since the latter has the capability to drop anchor alongwith more experienced batsmen surrounding him.
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
Yah but we risk the loss of two quick wickets if we send Afridi one down.
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
afridi has an injured thumb he won't be sent one down and he really should'nt be given the way he batted today..all the fours he scored were edges, he could'nt find the middle of the bat and was throwing his wicket away.on these wickets where there is little bit of extra bounce,afridi can't hit out that easily he should change his game plan a little bit
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
Afridi should either come as an opener, or at number 8.
Sending him one down serves no purpose, unless our first wicket falls just before tea. If we lose our first wicket sooner than that, and we send Afridi in, we'll be taking a huge gamble.
Afridi as an opener will be better. Because if he's coming with 8 wickets down, he obviously wont be coming to get runs and win the match, he'll be asked to occupy the crease to a draw, soemthing he's not good at. If we send him as opener, we take the gamble that if he gets quick runs, the chase is on. Otherwise, lay the anchor down and play for a draw (but positively) with a reevaluation of things after tea.
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
Even afridi786 knows that Afridi shouldn't come as one down. That's an asinine idea, but lucky for us, it won't be happening :D
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
Afradi and Danish did a gr8 job today
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
This match is heading for a draw, but if anyone can win it it's England. They will probably bat for at least another 30 min atleast tomorrow, and add another 30 odd runs to the target. I don't see Pakistan even trying to chase down a target with a required run rate of 4 on a last day pitch.
On the other hand, if England can inflict damage with the new ball, then they will be in with a chance. Everyday isn't Sunday, and Inzi/Moyo can't be expected to bail the team out every time. Woolmer pretty much said the same thing, for a Pakistan win, England needed to have been bowled out by the end of the day yesterday.
Like Saby said, Pakistan could have been in a dominant position today if it hadn't been for such atrocious fielding (which continued into the 2nd innings). Another key moment was dismissal of Akmal at the end of day 3. Akmal and Moyo could have seen off the early morning spell of Harmison and Hoggard and with Afridi still to come, we could have got much closer to England's first innings total.
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
:k:
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
How could you forget his century in Windies Dhobi Bhai! 
?
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
I don’t even remember what I ate for lunch this afternoon. 
Daal chawal 
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
Now I see it .. SHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
I'm pretty sure Pakistan will win next Test, because they have good match practice now, they will have a break, and they will concentrate on their bowling and fielding much more.
And I'm pretty we would be in a dominant position if we held catches.
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
:insha: We can certainly count on these facts and also, you don’t see that many catches being dropped in every test so as per the law of averages, we should be better prepared.
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
I went on cricbuzz (indian cricket website), and it said all four results are possible, I know there is possibility of Pakistan win, England win, or draw, but what is the fourth result...indian win? lol
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
Re: Pak V England - First test Match
Tie may be..