Pakistan v England, 1st Test

[tikay]

Unlikely sporting quotes.......


England's Stuart Broad, speaking to BBC Sport, was quick to take responsibility for his part in a frustrating opening day for the tourists.

He should have had century maker Shoaib Malik caught at slip for 40, but it was chalked off because of a front-foot no-ball.

"I blame myself for the no-ball," he said

[horseplayer]

Treadwell looks likely to be needed by the 3rd test

Rashid is just so expensive could maybe get away with it with 3 spinners. Ali bowled really well yesterday and kept it tight.

Not bowling against county 9 10 and jack doesn't help rashid either

[nellberg]

No wonder he's sorry, it's cost them 122 runs .. so far! I don't think we've bowled too badly, the no-ball wicket and 2 poor drops by Bell would have changed the scoreboard a fair bit. Always going to be a struggle out there on days 1 and 2. Debate on TMS between Swann and Ed Smith was that Rashid shouldn't be judged on flat pitches in the 1st innings, but 0-122 off 27 so far isn't great. Tredwell would be a massive backward step though. This pitch is the worst for bowling spin out of the 3 they'll encounter so hopefully Rashid will improve with more help from the pitch.

[TightEnd]

this is currently the most runs conceded by Eng spinners in an inns without taking a wicket

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=2;class=1;filter=advanced;groupby=innings;orderby=wickets;orderbyad=reverse;qualmin1=200;qualval1=conceded;team=1;template=results;type=bowling

i think Ali has been alright, the more threatening of the two. Rashid is bowling a touch too slow. not quite consistent enough but he'll have all this series to progress

terrible pitch for cricket though

[DungBeetle]

We need to move on from Bell.  Patchy batting and sloppy in the field these days.  Admittedly he'll be an asset in this series as he plays spin well.

[TightEnd]

Chris Jordan is being sent to the UAE to replace Steve Finn's foot and Ian Bell's hands.

[fatcatstu]

You cant call what Moeen is bowling, spin though. He is just bowling slow medium pace, firing it down and getting little to no turn.

This pitch is a total joke as well by the way. Boring stuff, just get this little tour out the way and clear off to South Africa, cant wait for that one, but this is painful viewing.

[TightEnd]

You cant call what Moeen is bowling, spin though. He is just bowling slow medium pace, firing it down and getting little to no turn.

he is doing what a second spinner should do. try and keep it tight, spell the quicks in the massive heat. moeen has a doosra too, if he can control it

Not beating on him too much, as its a debut in a tough place, but a leggie needs to be threatening more than Rashid does. Hopefully hell settle in tests 2 and 3

[horseplayer]

Ali is a second spinner

He has bowled tight, the pitch is dead no point in him trying to bowl attacking or he would be getting mowed round the park like Rashid is

[fatcatstu]

Ali is a second spinner

He has bowled tight, the pitch is dead no point in him trying to bowl attacking or he would be getting mowed round the park like Rashid is

I just think that judging anyone on this pitch is a bit harsh. He is playing the best players of spin, on a pitch that offers nothing. He is in a no win situation really.

This pitch is a disgrace, how you can charge people to go and watch that is beyond me.

(i am fully aware that England will now probably be skittled for 250 at most)

[TightEnd]

of course, and not with the benefit of hindsight either, you could have played Rashid in the west indies pre-ashes (not tredwell) and found out what you had, or didn't have, then

current coach cant be blamed for that though

just a horrible place to have to make your debut

[maldini32]

Interesting stat courtesy of TMS

In the last three test matches that have been played here, in the first innings spinners have combined figures of 3-817

[maldini32]

I think they should knock the toss on the head in test matches. To make it better imo just let the away captain decide what he wants to do. At least you'll get a proper game

[fatcatstu]

Is Ali actually bowling that tight? He is going at 4 an over.

Agree Rashid should have been playing in the WIndies, this pitcH is just brutal.

[Magic817]

of course, and not with the benefit of hindsight either, you could have played Rashid in the west indies pre-ashes (not tredwell) and found out what you had, or didn't have, then

current coach cant be blamed for that though

just a horrible place to have to make your debut

At the time it seemed a strange decision, he must be feeling pressure on his debut and has this pitch to deal with. If he had played a couple of tests while he would still have the pitch to deal with he would have more confidence and wouldn't have first test nerves to contend with.