Pakistan vs England Test Series

The lounge was buzzing … 4 drinkers and one server.
They’re into power sipping as well

 

Yes, they can bat for 200 overs, get close to our score and then see how we bat after so long in the field.

Not sure where the wickets will come from, with one front line spinner, 3 part timers and a part time wicketkeeper.

 

Just arrived in Portugal to find the news pretty much as expected. Unless we get some luck from somewhere I can see this grinding on for another day or two as Pakistan do to us what we did to them. Boring draw on the cards?

 

Maybe, but even before the illness issues, Livingstone was effectively picked as second spinner. It was a poor squad that they picked, with only one frontline spinner and no backup keeper.

 

If Pakistan bat for a couple more days, they could take a 100 odd run lead over England and really put the pressure on.

 

Turning out exactly as I expected, barely a chance and they have batted untroubled but at a slightly more sedate scoring rate.

We can criticise England for selection, for giving wickets away maybe, but the issue is the road they are playing on.

Surely the PCB have to be fined for this? It’s about the worst I’ve seen and I doubt it’ll break up or anything.

Not sure if I think the groundsman who produced it should just be sacked, or shot!

 

Squad is a bit “ unbalanced” as you say.
It doesn’t help with only one World Cup winner being available and, effectively our main 2 stumpers not available.
Bess should have gone as it seems a strange choice in Jacks.
He’s been playing for Islamabad so perhaps he’s picked for experience.

Play over for day with 77 overs bowled

 

Gawd I hope that doesn’t happen

 

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...s-embarrassing-as-bowlers-toil-in-tes-1347848

I agree with him the pitch is a disgrace. Stuart Broad did right staying at home although even if he wasn't about to become a dad I don't think you'd see him play there for any amount of money. His lady Mollie King just announced her dad has passed away after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in August so he's in the best place at home.

Pakistan are missing Afridi big time after his T20 World Cup final injury. Glad to see Rauf getting a chance at the longer format after proving himself in the county championship. I am surprised they aren't playing Hasnain who's currently playing the T10 tournament in Abu Dhabi.

 

They produced 3 like this against the Aussies not long back so have form. I hoped when a couple when low on day one that it might be signs of it wearing a bit but I think that was wishful thinking.

 

I’ve just found out that Rehan Ahmed was only just 18 this last summer.
I can’t think of England taking a player as young on senior tour.

Anyone know any others as young ?

 

I think shot is a bit extreme!

 

Good feature was that with Nasser showing us around the media part of the ground. Rob Key living his best life sat with his Tepal Tea and a couple of local ladies for company.

 

Yeah it was good.
Do you think we could have a Tetleys moment at Headingley ?
Don’t mean tea either

 

Babar out!

 

About 150 lead with 3 wickets to go and about 155 overs left in total.
Draw seems very likely as England won’t be leaving any realistically achievable targets.
No real signs of pitch cracking up but we can only hope

 

So only a lead of 78 and a wicket down. Not sure I can see anything other than a draw.

 

This wicket makes Crawley look good

 

Commentators curse there for Harry, going on about him getting the fastest century!

 

You'll never beat the Jessop. Brook has been brilliant but Jacks has to be in the running for MOTM. He's only playing because of an illness but got six wickets on a road and some quick runs to move the score along. Don't see how he can be dropped for the second test, but then Foakes has to come back in. Maybe with Livingstone limping he will be the one to miss out?