Following a great suggestion by one of our new visitors Hanni … here it is, a blank post to start the game discussion.
As the game goes along, we both (Amer and I) will update the scores here after every session or day (whenever we can) and drop in questions or highlights of the game that we should be discussing … but all our participation will be in the comments section below as well rather than updating within the post.
Enjoy the discussion!
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126 Responses to Live Discussion: Pak v Eng – 2nd Test (Abu Dhabi)
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And here I’ll start the discussion as well:
A good toss to win for Pakistan. They have opted to bat first. One change only, Junaid Khan comes in for Aizaz Cheema. No Umer Akmal, Asad Shafiq stays.
Strauss said that he too would have batted first. For England Monty Panesar comes in for Chris Tremlett. No five bowlers for England as speculated before the game, but now they too enter with two spinners.
great idea for this separate discussion space.
good solid start too from the score card on cricinfo. I am not watching on TV. can anyone tell me please if the 18/0 score in 7 overs mean they are cautious and firm our openers that is or the bowlers troubling them at all?
I am at work so no TV either.
However they are playing, they are 24/0 so good solid start for Pakistan, haven’t lost a wicket. If they get going here today, they can really take a stranglehold of this series.
On the other side India have lost 2 already :)
good to be back guys. long time no see?
great double centuries by ricky and clarke in australia. yesterday imran khan gave interview to mubasher luqman and said if he trains for three months, he can play and score a 50 at least against this current indian team.
any comments on that anyone?
he is what 60+ now but i am sure he can. put together wasim, waqar, imran and that 1992 team incl. rameez, saeed anwar and they can probably beat this indian side as well.
i think we are doing really good. 47/0 now!
I am following the Pakistan game. it has much more going especially England’s no. 1 ranking hangs in balance now if they lose by two tests, they’ll lose their no. 1 spot.
The indian game is a dead rubber, whos watching that really.
no chance! old fart is saying to increase his politics. he is a politician now remember?
yay!!!
but i am supporting england.
1 down and 9 to go.
england will win this hopefully.
2 down now!
England will get them in under 150 max 200.
They are too defensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t think it’ll be that easy. Pakistan are 73/2 so I think they should realistically cross 250 (again, I am saying they ‘should’).
The wicket is not a belter that we saw in South Africas series producing a draw with both teams scoring 500 plus in first innings. Ajmal & co. would be very interested seeing the way Monty and Swaan operating. That only means we can have a result here, let’s see …
I am there on your blog with my comments. Very much appreciate Ur come back :)
Yunus and Azhar need to consolidate, the after tea session would be intriguing as spinners ball will take more turn and may stay in air, very decptive for batsmen.
Afridi says he is targetting 350 wickets and 300 sixes in his ODI career , a chicken in test cricket ,a wolfy-lion in ODIs, a tiger in T20s, what strange stuff this Boom Boom is!
3rd wicket fell at 98. Pakistan has now crossed 100.
Total 103/3 (in 38 overs) RR: 2.64
For me the run rate is slow again. Misbah is the key wicket now, if he falls, we don’t stand a chance of getting to 250 perhaps.
What would be a good first innings score? Of course good would be 500 plus but what I mean is what would be a comfortable score that Pakistani bowlers will fancy getting England out and still hold a lead going into second innings?
4 down. 103/4 wont make 200 i think.
where is amir today?
Broad bowled Azhar, Pakistan in trouble, Misbah needs to play his dead-stuff game ,the one he played in world cup ODIsemifinal against India which ensured Pakistan,s defeat. Here its different format
So Misbah and Shafiq have recovered Pakistan to 177/4 at Tea on Day 1.
If Pakistan lasts till tomorrow Tea time, they’ll be controlling the game … but for that these two should bat out the last session today without losing a wicket.
Its tea, Pakistan has survived after mini collapse, but tea tough time expected from bowelers, if Misbah,Asad carry the bat ,next day Pakistan can easily post 300 plus, a winning score on this track.
just saw on TV that DRS decision on asad shafiq was crap. how was that umpire’s call when it was clearly outside the line?????
I don’t want to say but … I told you so!
Now falls the 6th wicket and score at almost end of day is just 216. Australia yesterday by day end had scored close to 340. Its our slow run rate that kills us in Tests. Too defensive play in the middle trying to save wickets. Wickets fall in the end anyway and then you haven’t scored either. Now this wicket falling at 316 towards end of day 1 would have been a lot better than 216, ain’t it so?
And on top the idiots didn’t review it … it had an inside edge and would have been turned around. Adnan didn’t know he nicked it? Who are they saving that final review for? Gul or Junaid’s eicket?
Yipeee one more tonight and then finish them early tomorrow morning. England will post a very healthy lead of 150-200 and that’ll be that!!!
They have wasted the initiative.
Momentum is with England now. They will be the happier team at end of day.
dont worry borther, misbah is still there and he can make 100 even 200 if he wants. we will be ok inshallah we will win this match.
no madam. pakistan will bowled them out for 150 again you will see and then pakistans lead will be 150-200 from first innings. game over
good choice brother. you should watch a good team like pakistan. india is not good outside india at all. also your players minds are already on ipl i think. they dont care about test matches.
Pakistan 256/7 (94.0 ov) RR 2.72
Who’s day? Cricinfo is calling it England’s day …
I think it’ll depend on how long we can stretch tomorrow and how the pitch plays up tomorrow. Today it was unexpected.
Sorry guys… real busy day at the office so just logging in now. All in all, I would say England’s day. Pakistan have lost far to many wickets and the scoring rate of just over 2.5 per over has been rubbish…..
Hopefully Misbah pulls it further tomorrow with some support from the tail and we get to 325 – 350 which would be a decent score.
On another note, are you ready for the 2nd leg of the Carling Cup at Anfield? Liverpool v Man City? We are hopefully gonna whip your backside!
Ooooohhh. Same cricket team, different football teams?
So who’s supporting whom?
How is 325-350 a good score? From 250 to get to 350 is a stretch. I think Pakistan will fold around 300 maximum and then England will get to 400-450 at least so a good lead of 100-150 which will be enough to finish the job.
I concur!
ye aap log IPL sey kiu itta jaltay ho yaara?
So We have just lasted 16 deliveries this morning, added 1 run, and lost the remaining 3 wickets … 257 is well below par, but all depends on how England’s first innings go. If England get around to 350-400, they’ll be in good control.
Can Pakistan get them cheaply for third time in this series?
Also, if England bat all day, lookout for that run rate too.
Looks like the boys had a large night, heavy breakfast and forgot to wake up! 3 overs, 1 run and 3 wickets!? Terrible!
I support the winning team from last nights encounter in the semi final (Liverpool) whilst Ahmad was on the losing end (Manchester City).
He looks pretty fit still and if he says three months I am sure he can pull it off and given Indian bowling is shite right now.
ManU will will the leage and also the FA cup and the Europa Leage too. Both ManC and Liverpool are shite.
And *last nights encounter* was a DRAW you dimwit.
aint i glad i woke up early to see this.
I live in Manchester and CTID. Bad bad referee last night. Our clear penalty not given and what wasnt a penalty given to you guys else it would have looked a 3-1 not 2-2.
For cricket I told you guys so. England is no1 for a reason and you will see.
what did they do? just one run. noooooooooooooooooo
and how come we havent gotten 3-4 wkts already? how are they bowling? or the wkt has gone dry and flat????
Pakistanis are very passionate (bus thori gharat jghani prti h)- once one of our best teacher (Mr. Ahmed Goheer) said (in fact he repeated the words of his teacher in UK); “The main problem with Paki nation is that they all are LEADERS”
But now I think they are following to their Leader (captain) regardless of “he is good leader or not”
I hope they will end-up today before 4pm…!
England seems to be overcautious as they got worst battering in last test, this may prove costly at some stage.
About”Leaders” now our beloved “Captaan Sahib”(Imran Khan) is trying to lead nation in politics. He was successful in keeping born gamblers in control in his cricket team and won the world cup. Can he control far more mature cronic, corrupt politicians and turn coats who are joining his party in hoards.Interesting to watch,another ball game altogather!
Unfortunately today has not gone in favour of Pakistan. They should have asked for the review of the Trott LBW decision when he was on 20.
Good to see you reading my blog Amir.
Up until a half hour ago it was pretty depressing, but not allowing Cook and Trott to three figures and then also getting Pietersen cheaply has lifted the team up a bit. These three quick wickets were crucial … maybe if we can get two more before the end of day, it’d be great. We still have a 50+ lead. Both Bell and especially Morgan can be a nuisance, so we better get them cheaply.
Another thing is we haven’t allowed them too many runs today. Normally England score 300-350 in a day easily but here they have been way too watchful and exactly what I blame Pakistan for all the time now applies to them … which is: Wickets do fall eventually (and if you haven’t been scoring at a decent rate, you have only been wasting time)!
totally gutted at not reviewing that lbw. they should have anyway even if they weren’t 100% sure as two reviews still left and so early the whole complexion of the game would have changed.
one more gone on last ball of day so still 50 lead and 5 gone. maybe do something they did this morning. get their last 5 real cheaply tomorrow morning?
A great ending to Day 2.Pakistan have come back well. This will make for an exciting day 3.
The run rate issue Ahmad raised is pretty clear now, but good for us England have fallen into the same very trap. Too cautious maybe and thats good for us if we can actually sustain the attacking instincts we showed in last session of today. What we did in the earlier first two sessions was simply idiotic and deplorable. letting the game go as it was and let it dictate us. In evening I think they woke up that they have to do something else Cook/Trott could have done what Punter/Clarke did to India that is made double centuries each!
Any views of the wicket? Will it be easier for Pakistan in second innings or is it deteriorating fast?
From English perspective they need to calm down and drag this as far as they can. What they get here in this innings will be much more than what they can do batting last and run rate is not an issue as still lots of time left in the game. Just do not lose more than one wicket tomorrow till lunch time and then a 100 run lead will be a winning one if we can get there.
I agree, pretty bad refereeing has gotten us out of both domestic cups. Kompany decision in FA cup against ManUtd, we are still paying the price as he is still out and will only come back next game. Then the two penalties and now that Balotelli as well … when will they bring DRS to football. Unlucky for ManCity these last few games.
Pundits on post-match reviews are saying even an 80 run lead will be massive and I think even 50 will be good. As for the pitch traditionally the pitch holds up pretty well for five days but this one has played quite unexpectedly so far. It was turning more when we were batting and has kind of dried up today so our spinners didn’t really get much help from the surface. No one knows which way it’ll go …
Tomorrow is then the most crucial day for both sides. If England hangs on for two sessions and scores another 150; that will give them the lead of 100 and then they get a couple of early Pak wickets in last session and its theirs to lose from then on. On the other hand if we can get rid of the remaining 5 for say 70-80 runs and now allow more than a 25-30 run lead and we do this within the first session. We can potentially bat out the two remaining sessions for say a 100-150 for losing maybe 2 wickets max and we’ll be controlling the game.
Fri/Sat is weekend in Abu Dhabi so expect decent crowds for the first time in this series. And support should be there for both sides.
A wicket to start the day! Hope we get through the tail fast!
Geezer, had you more knowledge of the game, you would have known that the league cup is played over 2 legs…. home and away. LFC won the 1st leg 1-0 and the 2nd leg was 2-2…… So now let me do some simple math for ‘the dumwit’…2+1 = 3….hence score was 3-2……. Ur not singing anymore i guess?
2 runs lead at 10-55am local time with 6 wickets down……. not looking good
Bell’s gone now … finally.
Why did they delay the new ball for so long?
Why did they include Junaid Khan in the squad? He has only bowled 6 overs in the whole game so far.
Why is the field set so defensive (with the new ball now in Gul’s hand)? They are trying to save runs? Don’t know how to take wickets with new ball/pace bowlers?
Frustrating …
Amer, are you at the stadium today?
Lead is already about 35 I think. We can easily stretch to 60-80 I think. That should be enough if we can get their top order quickly.
frustrating it is …………………………………
another one out. only 2 left now. i think lead not more than 40 or maxi 50
Task 1: Finish the job and the remaining two tail-enders ASAP.
Task 2: Wipe the deficit without losing a wicket.
You guys have let Broad score a 50??? Not good. You need to finish the tail much quicker than this.
And now Pakistan will try and bat for a draw ……………
boss, I think we have lost the plot this morning. We have already conceeded a lead of 66 and theese two are going to continue to hit boundries so whatever they add is bonus. so if they get to 14 more thats 80 runs. we will then try and draw with 2.5 days left, is useless cuz we will get out eventually and not much lead as it will take us one full session to wipe this 70-80 runs anyway. disappointing.
Strange team,tightens the noose on top batsmen,loosens the grip on tailenders.Englands lead though a little bit more than expected but if our batting can take score to 350+ then they can bowl out England on crumbling wicket,remember it will be 4th innings.
Encouraging start. 25/0 … lead deficit is 45 only now. Lets hope these two wipe that out too and then put up a solid effort all of today and tomorrow till Tea. Enough time to score 350+
You have jinxed it my friend. Just as your comment came through and we have lost Hafeez!!
aik naheen doo out ho gaye hein!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yup 29/2 … still 41 in deficit. That 70 runs lead looks huge now!
Settle down, no need to panic. Now is the time to ‘occupy the crease’ and slowly but steadily chip away at that deficit. Worry about everything else later, lets get ahead first without losing more wickets.
GAME OVER guys?
36/3 or should I say -34/3
WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING @#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#
My boys have done their homework I suppose. They have a plan against each batsman and its showing. Yipeee! No. 1 for a reason!
bhai urdu mein likh don ga. inn gora ko please aap bend karo. aik match kharab hey aur yeh inn ki bhi sunooooo harami
sach to suna paray ga pathaan bhai sahb
ab team hi kharab to kiya karay baki sub
aur yeh indians ko bhi bend karo please
its tea, and Pak trying to rebuild, crucial stage for Pak to survive in this test
5 overs to go lets see where we end.
currently 111/4
how much lead is enough or fighting?
draw is not going to happen so a result one way or the other is sure.
England’s day all in all. We should win this tomorrow itself. Will setup the third test nicely which again England should easily win given the form now.
Cheers!
I agree!
He was a treat to watch.
Game Over.
Man United can go to hell. And they will this weekend at Anfield. Lovely setup, first ManC and now ManU.
YNWA!!!!!
i dont think its that simple. england could fold in under 150 in last innings. remember batting 4th isnt easy and we have world class attack. but i agree if we cant get 150 lead then its tough. 200 will be enough and if we strech to 250 thats winning score in my humble opinion.
Ahmad/Amer: what do you guys think is a winning score from pak perspective?
cant weit for afridi sir. we have 5 odi and 3t20 after this which will be really good contest from both sides.
Amer, Ahmad, Can I suggest you change the comments area. Its nice to be able to reply to each one separately but then after so many comments gets confused as to who has replied to which comment in which thread. Just allow to comment in the end and then have them in sorting either newest first or even this way where newest comes at the end is fine. So we don’t miss the newly added comments that are replies to earlier threads. Not sure if its possible or if I am making sense.
Thanks to Australia thrashing India 4-0, whatever the result of this series, Pakistan will remain no. 5 and England no. 1.
So Pakistan at the end of Day 3 is 125/4, which effectively should be read as 55/4. It could have been much much worse but the last partnership amongst the two youngsters Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq has taken us into Day 4. Let’s hope we now take this to Day 5 and if we are able to do that, we should be in a rather positive situation.
Crucial first session tomorrow now; we have to survive it. Crucial second session; we’ll have to score and get to a respectable total in that. Crucial third session; we’ll have to put England in before day end and try and get a couple of early wickets too.
I don’t see a draw in this game, unless our boys go really really slow and just do tuk tuk tomorrow and neither get all out nor make enough runs to declare, in which case England on last day might not risk losing and play for the draw (depending upon how much time they get).
Intriguing day coming up tomorrow …
Good analysis but totally one sided.
How about England gets the rest of them by Lunch and then finish off the short chase before Tea?
Or in worst case scenario get them out sometime in second session and then chase by end of day?
Steve
I think a lead of 250 should be the minimum target. So that’s another 195 runs for which Asad and Azhar much continue and one of them must get to a 100 and other at least a 70.
In worst case scenario we should be able to bowl them out in the last innings for under 200 as well but that doesn’t really leave a huge margin as they could counter-attack and one partnership can knock off 50-60 quickly and that would then take all the pressure off.
Wickets in fourth innings will come under pressure, so there has to be that pressure factor on them at all times. If first 4 fall in under 50, then even 150 is a big ask I guess …
Although when I said 250, I meant I don’t see our batsmen making any more than that. If they do, they won’t be declaring at 250 (lead) for sure and that won’t leave much time for England to really get them interested in a chase.
Tough day tomorrow for Pak, but chance winning this test very much there :)
Three wickets already this morning and all three of batsmen Azhar, Asad and Adnan. Now jus tthe tail enders. Can bowlers do the job twice, first with the bat and then with the ball? Lead is 110. Will 150 be enough? Sure the last three can take it to there??
Mushkil Hai;( but hope bowelers can make match for Pak as always since Fazal Mahmood era onwards ,it has been the Pak bowling winning matches for us
128 lead at lunch. If they can drag it till Tea, they surely can add at least another 70-80 so stretch by 200. Anything less and the game is over. Also, dont give England too much time as then whatever the score they’ll have plenty of time to settle and not panic. So stretch as long as they can today is also key as much as runs added are.
right after lunch we lose one straight after. i guess not our day. this is a lost cause now. who’s the culprit? did england play that well or what did we do wrong? i think allowing their tail to score that much was the key moment.
and i think ahmad was right pakistan will now play for a draw in next test and will just be happy with misbah’s record of not losing a series :(
Game is still on. You never know. Pakistan is one team you cant say till the end. Remember it was this Ajmal who stretched NZ i think with Amir for 90 something partnership for last wicket. Let’s see. I for one hope they don’t give up and fight it. They do have the bowling to cause an upset.
I think that 130 lead is also enough. we can fight like tigers and win no doubt about it. dont worry rubina sa we will win insha-allah.
well????? lead is 144. didnt even reach 150. england need 145 to win only and they have all the time they need. if today was the last day id say it could put pressure on them to score faster but now they will take their time so no pressure whatsoever.
where are Amer and Ahmad? what do you guys think now?
Game On? or Game Over?
Ahmad/Amer ??
Murad, personally i think 145 is an easy ask and England will knock it off today. Its at times like today that I miss the solid batting line we used to have during the time of Inzi, Younis, Yousuf!
Had we scored and left a target of 200+ then perhaps we would have had a chance. However, this seems like a walk in the park…
On a positive side, we have had them 45-5 in this series so who knows?
Rubina, not ideal…..and likely to be a defeat. The only time I can recall Pakistan defending a lower target of circa 120 was in 1993 when Wasim and Waqar bowled New Zealand out defending a small total.
I would also go with the spinners immediately as Monty was getting considerable spin…. Lets see!
Sorry, just answered to you below under Murad!
Indeed they do have the bowling attack to fight and it is good to see them starting with the spinners as Monty was getting considerable spin. However, realistically, 145 isnt really a total to defend…… Is it?
Surely they must have had paraathaay or hulwa puri for lunch?
Was pleased to see the spinners on with Hafeez bowling the 1st over. I would have gone with Ajmal immediately as opposed to Gul. However, how I would love to be proven wrong!?
I think we are done. Lets think about next Test. The way they have started, solid, they’ll knock this off with maybe 1 or 2 down.
:(
yeah it looks like you are talking to yourself, lol.
games gone though unless a miracle happen.
Bring Umar Akmal in for Adnan Akmal as keeper and Wahab Riaz for Junaid that strengthens the batting lineup as both will do better than this.
England are boring.
I was expecting them to start aggressively and make 50-60 quickly then nothing left behind but they have just managed 14 runs in 12 overs so trying very hard not to lose wickets but a couple of quick wickets will put pressure on them.
if shahid afridi was in this team than surely our spin will finish the job very soon
What a lovely weekend it is :) even the Sun is out in Manchester :)
oh and of course my boys are in total control :)
1 down – 9 to go – Come on Pakistan!
What the hell who is the third umpire, that was OUT, Strauss ……………… come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yeahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
2 down – 8 to go ……………………. bring it on!
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
3 gone, 7 to go!!!!!!!!!
Eng 33/4, Pak making it real match, hope they keep it up and win
4 gone, 6 to go ……….. anyone knows if trott will bat or we just have to get 9?
da da de da di da da
Still a good morning? LOL
5 down for 56 ……. 5 to go ………. yayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!
Oh yeah!
And don’t forget England’s both reviews gone too!
and the BIG ONE … trott gone. 6 gone, 4 to go.
more wickets taken – less wickets left
less runs scored – more runs left
la la la laa lala la
AND ANOTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7 down, 3 to go!
THIS IS IT!
8 down … 2 to go …
9 swallowed – 1 left
and still they haven’t even scored half the runs!!!!!!
where is haani, sp steve and other english fans please???
HIP HIP HORRAY!
HIP HIP HORRRAYYYYYYYYYYY!
CONGRATULATIONS PAKISTAN!!
Post-mortem report coming on Well Fielded sometime tomorrow!
WOW! I can’t believe i slept through that. But it was really fun to scroll down the comments to see what happened during the day. Interesting chronology of emotions!
What a beautiful day!
Congratulations!!!! Pakistan Zindabad..
What a humiliating defeat England got..
What I loved is as you scroll down initially the English (and Indian’s) are pretty vocal but they all seem to disappear once 3 wickets are down!!
LOL.