Pakistan simply squandered a wonderful opportunity to bat
England out of the game. They started the day at 257 for 3, but failed to post
more than 450-plus on the board, whereas, there was a wonderful opportunity to
achieve that. Pakistan’s middle order failed to capitalize the slow and low
track of Edgbatson, almost similar to those in the Middle East.
Younis Khan’s lean patch is a worry for Pakistan while the
lack of a quality allrounder is evident and making Pakistan suffer. I have seen
many stubborn resistance from the Pakistani tail in the past, but at present,
they surrender easily. Sarfraz showed
the intent to fight while the rest failed miserably to support him.
But a lead of 103 was good. Sadly, the Pakistani bowlers were found wanting as
Alex Hales and Alastair Cook punished a tired Sohail Khan and rusty Rahat Ali
to finish the day wicketless. Sohail might have fetched five wickets in the
first innings, but to repeat the same sort of effort in the second innings a
bowler needs to have the fitness level. I am sorry to say, Sohail is not one of
the fittest of the pace bowlers to carry
on the responsibilities.
Rahat delivered too many loose balls whereas the margin of
error on this track should be minimal. Mohammad Amir bowled well, but he lacked
the support and whether he is gripping the ball tightly or not should be a
matter of observation for the Pakistan coach and think tank. Moreover, Amir
needs to pull his length back and target the top of offstump more when the ball
is not swinging enough.
Meanwhile, Yasir is still struggling to bring the batsmen on the front foot and
his googlies are few and far between since the Lord’s Test. Traditional leg breaks
won’t fetch any results until and unless a legspinner dishes out enough varieties.
Pakistan’s four-men bowling attack is not synchronous at the
moment and if they fail to rediscover themselves on the fourth day, England might
dent their dream of becoming the number 1 Test team in the world.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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