Pakistan v England, 1st Test

[Magic817]

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.

If he is there as an attacking bowler then 4 an over is ok but he is doing the defensive job so 4 an over seems high.

[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.

If he is there as an attacking bowler then 4 an over is ok but he is doing the defensive job so 4 an over seems high.

My point was more that everyone's getting a twatting in this one!!

Still very worried about how we will go.

[fatcatstu]

IAN BELL HAS TAKEN A CATCH!!!!!

[fatcatstu]

Now is the time to bowl Rashid

[kp24]

Hoping we don't collapse under the scorecard pressure

[verndog158]

dreadful cricket wicket, dull and boring. their attack looks as military as ours at the moment, without Yasir. ideal pitch and attack for Cook to bat for 3 days here!

[fatcatstu]

Good start, Moeen looks well at home opening up, all be it on a duff pitch. This has draw written all over it.

Can see cook hitting a big ton on this one ,also sure Bell will find a way of getting out cheaply

[muckthenuts]

Though not the most exciting pitch in the world it's obviously a smart one to create. It's almost impossible for England to win a test in the UAE.

[TightEnd]

Though not the most exciting pitch in the world it's obviously a smart one to create. It's almost impossible for England to win a test in the UAE.

bat first, score 500 (Yasir Shah injured is a huge help, don't fancy us against a legspinner who turns it a lot on any wicket)

have a pitch (dubai and sharjah offer a bit more) that spins a bit and apply some scoreboard pressure

NZ won games in the UAE a year ago, and drew the series

impossible overstates it i think

[muckthenuts]

Pakistani batsmen are typically strong against spin so Moeen and Rashid unfortunately aren't ever really going to be weapons. The pace attack will probably be nullified throughout the series. Pakistan therefore shouldn't struggle to score runs no matter how many England score, but England may/probably will struggle in the 2nd innings in this series vs quality spinners. Throw the heat in there too and i can't see England winning a test in the UAE.

[horseplayer]

What a superb cricketer and man cook is.

Not many others you would want batting for you.

Superb mental strength

[BorntoBubble]

Not for those of us sat here with a "Ali top Series Batsmen" ticket in double figure odds!

I saw lots for 1 and I was like please be ali in please be ali!

[verndog158]

This test has a glimmer of life in it?
England level by tea, 120 in front by the close? That's iff stokes/ bairstow and Buttler don't whack it, say 150 in front. Declare over night and have a crack at them tomorrow with possibly some pressure on?

[horseplayer]

problem is when pakistan tried to accelerate they lost wickets.

IF root stays in rest of the day he will score quicker than Butler (out of nick) and everyone else bar Stokes (who is hit or miss)

This next session bat exactly as we have been and will be near level, if Root still in by tea we will be in a good position anyway

[verndog158]

problem is when pakistan tried to accelerate they lost wickets.

IF root stays in rest of the day he will score quicker than Butler (out of nick) and everyone else bar Stokes (who is hit or miss)

This next session bat exactly as we have been and will be near level, if Root still in by tea we will be in a good position anyway

I agree, but we have a far better batting line up than them, and their bowlers aren't as good. Not sure I agree with botham, saying bat all game. Gotta hae a crack at them with the pressure on.

P.S Cook and root are machines. More so root this year. Nice pitch to get a few on though