Second Test Pakistan England

The second test in a series is always significant, and this is especially the case when it consists of three games, as does the current one between Pakistan and England.

The first match finished on Tuesday and proved to be enthralling, something that England fans are becoming used to. The only difference was that on this occasion they were on the receiving end of defeat.

It was a curious contest that moved in waves of control. Both sides would dominate with the bat for long periods, and then all of a sudden the bowling team would be picking up wickets at will. Perhaps the most natural observation to make from this then is that the middle to lower batting orders are weak.

In both innings England were in very strong positions and could have effectively closed out the match in either one, but twice collapsed and ended up losing. Marcus Trescothick was fantastic in the first knock, and Ian Bell and Andrew Strauss both looked relatively composed, but otherwise there is real cause for concern.

Paul Collingwood is not good enough to bat at number four in a test match, and as his bowling was only used for four fruitless overs, there must be a case for introducing a specialist batsman, even if that means the uncapped Alistair Cook. As it happens, it looks likely that there will not be space for either in the side.

Michael Vaughan was missed to some extent in the first game, but the suggestions are that he will be able to take part in this one. The one man who did well with the bat in Multan, Marcus Trescothick, is staying in Pakistan but with a serious family accident on his mind, perhaps the application he talked so openly about following the first game will not be as it could be.

The bookies have the two sides at about the same mark for the second game but we have to say that at 12/5 Pakistan look like a good bet. The surface at Faisalabad threatens to be the turning one of the sort we were expecting all tour, and this will play into the hosts hands.

Shoaib Akhtar may have taken the headlines in the first match with his searing pace, but it was Danish Kaneria who caught the eye of many. His leg spin was dazzling, and only Trescothick managed to read it with any consistency. Shane Warne may be regarded as the best in the world, but in terms of variety of delivery Kaneria eclipses even the great man. The most concerning aspect is that Kaneria said that he learnt how to bowl to England by watching footage from the first innings. He took the absolutely crucial wickets of Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell, ending with 4-62 in the second innings. Incidentally readaBet have selected him to be top Pakistan bowler in the series.

Pakistan and England have played in Faisalabad three times, and on each occasion the match has ended in a draw. The most famous of these was when Mike Gatting refused to apologise to umpire Shakoor Rana and so the umpire refused to continue, back in 1987.

England’s bowlers will toil all day, but without a spin bowler who can impart genuine turn on the ball, the opposing batsmen should be relatively comfortable. But the main issue remains with the batsmen. Michael Vaughan may well play, but his form was awful prior to the injury, and with Trescothick having off the field issues to contend with, we would not be backing him to score big again.

Otherwise, Kevin Pietersen cannot be relied upon, and Freddie Flintoff also twice gave his wicket away cheaply in Multan. Winning in the sub continent requires hard work and grinding, something not really reminiscent of England’s recent performances, even if they have largely been successes. We have not seen much evidence of patience in their batting, and whilst attacking makes for great viewing, it does not tend to reap rewards on dry wickets with tricky bowlers.

Bob Woolmer and Pakistan were visibly buoyed by their own efforts earlier in the week, and a confident side is hard to break down. They are very aware of the dangers posed by England and will not be underestimating them. Some have suggested that only two draws are needed for a home series win, but the coach has spoken of how this negativity is wrong and it would reek of a lack of ambition if this approach was adopted.

We feel that Pakistan are worth backing at 12/5 to win the second test, and so sew up the series.