As plumb as a LBW as you will ever see, the umpire can't have been looking
English cricket thread
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
This could be a cracking finish
Those runs Pakistan got with the tail during their 1st innings are going to be crucial here. Put them in a much stronger position.
Interesting. Still think it's Pakistan's game...chasing over 200 will be tough but you never know.
Yep, pitch is turning a fair bit, can't see England chasing this myself but will keep the hope alive.
We are going to end up having a horrible final hour when the pitch seems to really play up - maybe the heavy roller between innings will spare us. But could easy be 50-3 overnight (assuming we take these final two wickets quickly).
Yep frustrating as Pakistan's tail in the 1st innings and dropped catches in both innings have cost us quite a bit.
To get this score, this will have to be England's highest run chase in Asia.
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...eam=1;template=results;type=team;view=innings
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...eam=1;template=results;type=team;view=innings
I think a few of the 'ha typical England' tropes that get thrown at them in here are a little unfair - but consistently struggling to run through a tail has been a problem since...forever?
Certainly feels like it.
extreme pace and spin usually account for them. we’ve struggled to produce either of those and/or keep them fit for a long time.
Some really sloppy mistakes will cost this game
Over 100 runs added for the 9th wicket across both Pakistan innings.
Looks like the final session last night and today will be the death of England. Fielding looks very sorry and tired now.
Heads are gone here. Pity because 250 would have been an interesting chase
Even 270ish! Was looking forward to it.
Now feels like we'll have thirty mins in the dark later today and it could be a 120 all out jobby.
England have had some hilarious bad luck in this match. DRS working to over turn out decision and an over later it's not working to overturn not out
Ian Ward on comms
Nearly got himself detained in Pakistan I think.
What did Ward say?
Stokes really missed a trick here by holding back the fast bowlers to the last 2. Gave away 30 runs too many
He was just giving it the 'hmm convenient' tone without saying anything, just.
This 40 mins in fading light is gonna be big...
40-0 or 30-2 incoming.
40-0 or 30-2 incoming.
Need Duckett to repeat his first innings, the longer he bats the more Pakistan will feel the pressure. If he goes tonight I think that's the game.
In which case - we were bang in that for two balls
Oh dear.
Jinxed it 
Was always Pakistan's game after they posted a reasonable first innings total.
They've been ahead of the game ever since - but it's not done yet, the names in that England line up always sniff at a miracle, but it would be (another) one
Need Pope to repeat his innings from India last year, the longer he bats the more Pakistan will feel the pressure. If he goes tonight I think that's the game.
Oooh lovely delivery that. Crawley on a slow spinner doesn't look great does he.
Not this side's style but considering it seems to be doing a bit more when the ball is newer and it's a short session, they could have done something radical and promote Leach to open. Aside from Root he's probably got the most experience of batting on pitches that are spinning and is pretty solid defensively.
Imagine reversing the batting order until tomorrow morning
Need Pope to repeat his innings from India last year, the longer he bats the more Pakistan will feel the pressure. If he goes tonight I think that's the game.
Stop it!
These two have batted sensibly. Hopefully carry on tomorrow.
Would be very Ollie Pope to score an unbelievable century then go back to averaging 20 in NZ.
It likely wouldn't work but I wouldn't have minded giving it a go. It's not far off a situation you'd see a night-watchman come in sometimes anyway. If he could have helped see off the new ball and protect one of the other batters going into tomorrow then it would have been job done.Sorry mate i'm not having this
But fair enough if you'd back it.
He's batted in conditions similar to this at Taunton before and often he looks more comfortable than top-order players in them.