England v Pakistan - Official First Test Match Thread (Days four & five)

[Vrock]

Pakistan have taken a shaky position at the end of day three, 66-3, and have turned that into a very solid batting performance so far. Mainly thanks to the superb century from Mohammad Yousuf who, at times, never looked like getting out.

This has set up a final couple of days which could either peter out to a dull draw or we could see some explosive cricket with a result looking very likely.

If Pakistan's innings draws to a close before the lunch break then Andrew Strauss has a difficult choice to make; does he go out all attack and try to set up a victory? Or play at a steady pace and secure the draw, only just leaving a slim chance of victory if things go England's way?

If the sun shines tomorrow we may not see to much lateral movement, however, the pitch does have some cracks which might just offer increases in variable bounce which could see some tricky conditions for the batsmen if the bowlers can just hit them.

[John]

If Pakistan bat for an hour this morning it should make a draw a clear favourite. If England get the last 3 in half an hour with 15 runs added they can put the pressure on by batting well.

[Mongoose]

'Boom Boom' has been 'Nick Nick' so far - two swings, two edges, two escapes, 4 runs. He's certainly not here to play out time!

[John]

Great double hundred by Yousouf. We will be likely to see another innings like this in the series.

[Karthik]

I think the match will end in a draw unless the English get Mohamed Yousuf out quickly.

[Vrock]

Yousuf finally got out trying to find a single with an edge to Geraint Jones (for his fifth catch of the innings).

Pakistan were all out for 445 which leaves them trailing by 83 runs - a deffecit that England could take advantage of given the good batting conditions and, at times, inaccurate bowling.

Congratulations Yousuf - excellent knock; exactly what was needed.

[Victor Frankenstein]

Fantastic innings yet again by Yousuf, if he carries on like this for the series we're in trouble. Good team performance overall from Pakistan to get to that total from 60-3 but they must be ruing those dropped catchs even more as they should have been looking at a 250 run lead and an easy win whereas now they can still lose the game (although a draw is most likely).

Good bowling performance by england, bit wayward at times but overall a decent enough performance considering the pitch, Pakistan were never allowed to run away with it and had to wait from time to time. Bit worried that monty looked so innocuous considering kaneria and afridi were looking dangerous at the end of our innings, still, if he finds his form for their second innings and bowls them out cheaply then it will be forgiven

Heading towards a draw but with cricket you just never know, both sides have bowlers and batsmen that can change the game in an hour so who knows Been a good match so far though, proper test cricket, gritty contest. Could do with a bit more in the pitch for the bowlers but not much more.

[Vrock]

Trescothick edges it, going to first slip and Akmal dives for it - doesn't quite take it nicely and drops it.

These are big catching errors - If Trescothick gets in and the run rate needs increasing he will do a much better job than Alastair Cook will!

If Pakistan lose this game you really have to point to the catching being one of the main reasons they lost. It's something that they themselves can control; LBW's are out of their hands as well as how many chances a batsman cheaply offers. You MUST take every chance that is in your control.

[Vrock]

Umar Gul, with a nice bit of bowling, finds the inside edge of Trescothick's bat - this leads to him playing onto his stumps.

England are 38-1 and Gul gets a reprieve after the dropped catch.

A lead of 121 runs.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Vrock

Umar Gul, with a nice bit of bowling, finds the inside edge of Trescothick's bat ... Gul gets a reprieve after the dropped catch.

You mean Akmal gets a reprieve for dropping Trescothick - Gul was the unlucky bowler. Akmal is taking some criticism for his keeping in this match. It will be interesting to see how his glovework is for the remainder of the innings. The dropped catch has clearly bothered him, and he doesn't seem at all happy with his standards behind the stumps right now. Every keeper needs confidence, and Akmal will need to be confident and focussed, especially as Danish Kaneria is about to come on to bowl.