On the eve of the second test between England and Pakistan, there's plenty of speculation as to whether a repeat of the first test is to happen or not. My initial reaction would be to say definitely not. My reasoning for this is that I can't see another thrashing. The last and only two tests played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium have both ended in draws, and have produced three double centuries.
This is not to say that I don't think Pakistan can win again though. One would be naive to think that Pakistan are firm favourites to take the second test, but the first test was the clearest sign yet of their redemption from the shadows of controversy, and there are plenty of reasons to believe that they can push on. Mohammad Hafeez has been in sublime form, with two hundreds and three fifties in his last seven tests. He's also formed a dangerous partnership with Taufeeq Umar, who has quietened Salman Butt's absence from the side with a solid return to test cricket. The middle order still needs some work, but it seems Pakistan may have found some youngsters to rely on for the time being, with Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq looking impressive. Younis Khan needs runs, but his experience and influence is cardinal. In the bowling section, Pakistan have a star. He may not be getting any younger at 34, but his bowling techniques are. Man of the match Saeed Ajmal's frightening cocktail of doosra's and teesra's proved too much for England. Abdur Rehman and Hafeez provide more than useful spin partnerships to the leading wicket taker of 2011. A quieter compartment in the Pakistan setup of recent has been Pakistan's fast bowling, but if Umar Gul can inspire the likes of Aizaz Cheema or Junaid Khan to step it up at test level like he did in the first test, Pakistan can put their past troubles behind them with ease.
In spite of this, I will resist the temptation to play devil's advocate and say that I believe England have a strong chance of picking themselves up and levelling the series. Firstly, for me England got a couple of basic selection picks wrong, and although stubbornly rigid has been an apt ploy for Andy Flower over the last couple of years, its unfortunate that England won't change their side tomorrow morning, bar a late fitness test for Chris Tremlett. The bowling, amid the batting woes, remained impressive, but I still believe they should have a second spinner playing. Abdur Rehman proved the worth of this in the second innings, even on a flat track. I understand why they don't, and it's amazing how important Tim Bresnan has become to the side so quickly. He is the allrounder of the side, the link between the batsman and bowlers if you like. Without him, it means either 6 specialist batsmen or 5 specialist bowlers. The latter is unrealistic, which keeps Panesar out of the side, and Eoin Morgan in. This is where Ravi Bopara potentially comes in. He's been known to bowl the odd 'dibbly dobbler', and if England were to take a leap of faith, I would say take out Morgan and an already doubtful Tremlett, and bring in Bopara and Panesar. I'm interested to see if they'll feature in the third test should England lose again.
But let's come back to who we will see in the team tomorrow. It's Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook's hundredth innings as a pair tomorrow, and both impressed with the bat in short bursts in the warm up games, but failed in the first test. South Africa scored over 500 in the first innings of the last test here, and I think one or both of the England openers could play a crucial role in getting England to a similar total. The middle order are desperately in need of runs in the UAE to avoid risking the tag of the soft underbelly in the side. Despite failing both times with the bat in the first test, I was strangely encouraged by Pietersen's attacking mentality in the second innings, and with a bit of luck here and there, I predict a significant knock by him in this test. Lets not forget that he scored 175 two tests ago. It would be harsh to say that he's off form.
Any hype regarding Pakistan's sudden superiority, and England's batting atrocities, should be quickly wiped away. Each side will believe they can win. For Pakistan, it's a matter of playing to the same strengths of the first test. For England, it's a matter of forgetting the panic of the first test, and remembering the reasons why they are the number one test team in the world. Watch out for the toss. The team that wins the toss will choose to bat first, and history suggests that the first two sessions in the day are vital to the fortunes of the batsmen, and in turn potentially the outcome of the game.
This is not to say that I don't think Pakistan can win again though. One would be naive to think that Pakistan are firm favourites to take the second test, but the first test was the clearest sign yet of their redemption from the shadows of controversy, and there are plenty of reasons to believe that they can push on. Mohammad Hafeez has been in sublime form, with two hundreds and three fifties in his last seven tests. He's also formed a dangerous partnership with Taufeeq Umar, who has quietened Salman Butt's absence from the side with a solid return to test cricket. The middle order still needs some work, but it seems Pakistan may have found some youngsters to rely on for the time being, with Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq looking impressive. Younis Khan needs runs, but his experience and influence is cardinal. In the bowling section, Pakistan have a star. He may not be getting any younger at 34, but his bowling techniques are. Man of the match Saeed Ajmal's frightening cocktail of doosra's and teesra's proved too much for England. Abdur Rehman and Hafeez provide more than useful spin partnerships to the leading wicket taker of 2011. A quieter compartment in the Pakistan setup of recent has been Pakistan's fast bowling, but if Umar Gul can inspire the likes of Aizaz Cheema or Junaid Khan to step it up at test level like he did in the first test, Pakistan can put their past troubles behind them with ease.
In spite of this, I will resist the temptation to play devil's advocate and say that I believe England have a strong chance of picking themselves up and levelling the series. Firstly, for me England got a couple of basic selection picks wrong, and although stubbornly rigid has been an apt ploy for Andy Flower over the last couple of years, its unfortunate that England won't change their side tomorrow morning, bar a late fitness test for Chris Tremlett. The bowling, amid the batting woes, remained impressive, but I still believe they should have a second spinner playing. Abdur Rehman proved the worth of this in the second innings, even on a flat track. I understand why they don't, and it's amazing how important Tim Bresnan has become to the side so quickly. He is the allrounder of the side, the link between the batsman and bowlers if you like. Without him, it means either 6 specialist batsmen or 5 specialist bowlers. The latter is unrealistic, which keeps Panesar out of the side, and Eoin Morgan in. This is where Ravi Bopara potentially comes in. He's been known to bowl the odd 'dibbly dobbler', and if England were to take a leap of faith, I would say take out Morgan and an already doubtful Tremlett, and bring in Bopara and Panesar. I'm interested to see if they'll feature in the third test should England lose again.
But let's come back to who we will see in the team tomorrow. It's Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook's hundredth innings as a pair tomorrow, and both impressed with the bat in short bursts in the warm up games, but failed in the first test. South Africa scored over 500 in the first innings of the last test here, and I think one or both of the England openers could play a crucial role in getting England to a similar total. The middle order are desperately in need of runs in the UAE to avoid risking the tag of the soft underbelly in the side. Despite failing both times with the bat in the first test, I was strangely encouraged by Pietersen's attacking mentality in the second innings, and with a bit of luck here and there, I predict a significant knock by him in this test. Lets not forget that he scored 175 two tests ago. It would be harsh to say that he's off form.
Any hype regarding Pakistan's sudden superiority, and England's batting atrocities, should be quickly wiped away. Each side will believe they can win. For Pakistan, it's a matter of playing to the same strengths of the first test. For England, it's a matter of forgetting the panic of the first test, and remembering the reasons why they are the number one test team in the world. Watch out for the toss. The team that wins the toss will choose to bat first, and history suggests that the first two sessions in the day are vital to the fortunes of the batsmen, and in turn potentially the outcome of the game.
What do you think of the hype surrounding England
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