Print

[rickjames]

The encouraging stuff about Bairstow is that he's adamant he wants to keep wicket. How many tests has he kept in now? Not that I know anything about keeping but all signs point to him improving on it. As of now I'd say Buttler is the better keeper but don't see him being close to YJB as far as tests are concerned.

Also some Surrey bias but I can imagine with time that Foakes will play for England at some point down the line.

[cricketbadger]

3 pages of slagging Bairstow and his keeping. Can we change the topic title?

Oh and an Australian slagging England off again, boring

[rockymoghal]

Seeing as:
A) We all love cricket
B) The title is England vs Pakistan
C) Reading negativity isn't as fun

How about I get the ball rolling on what the Pakistan XI will be
1)Hafeez (if fit)
2) Shan Masood A.K.A. Mr B3 cricket
3) Younis Khan
4) Azhar Ali
5) Misbah ul-haq
6) Asad Shadow
7) Safraz Ahmed
Wahab Riaz
9) Yasir Shah
10) Mohammed Amir
11) Sohail Khan / Zulfiqar Babar (depending on the pitch)

I'm sure everyone here can give some input on this 

[edge]

Asad Shadow?! Have Pakistan signed a Marvel villain to bat at 6? England should be worried.

[rockymoghal]

Haha well thank you autocorrect. But to answer your question @edge he is obviously not a marvel villain. He's a DC comics villain of course. Come on the name just gives it away lol

[Aussie In England]

Don't really follow Pakistan but it seems a shame that Ahmed Shehzad(looks like a clone of Virat Kohli) and Umar Akmal's careers have tapered off. Both had plenty of talent but seem to lack the mental side required for international cricket.

[rockymoghal]

Yeah it's a real shame because both of them fit into the team perfectly. But you're right, for one reason or another they just lacked the mental side of cricket and couldn't produce the consistency which is so rarely seen in pakistan cricket. I honestly believe the top players in the world perform so well because they can manage and excel on the mental side of the game. Kohli, Root and Williamson are all brilliant because they just seem to love the pressure, they thrive off it.

[Cover_Drive]

@rockymoghal & @Aussie In England,

How many times did both, Umar Akmal and Ahmad Shahzad do good under pressure? Akmal did it dozen or so times which is more than Shahzad. Both have ability but lack brain.

Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Joe Root et al have been very diligent and strives to be better whereas Umar Akmal just regressed both in terms of cricket and physically.

I'm extremely glad they are dropped as they were doing nothing and just harming the team. Selectors did a great job to drop them or else Pakistan would have seen two more Shahid Afridi's.

[rockymoghal]

I agree with you 100% @Cover Drive. It's frustrating because Umar akmal and Shahzad both have so much ability but just don't seem to work for it. Umar akmal hands down has every shot in the book but when you're getting frustrated and constantly ask for chances up the order even though you don't show the temperament it's silly.

Fawad alarm was not elegant or beautiful but he worked hard at the crease. His intent at the wicket was something to admire and something I wish our other players showed. How he was dropped was down right criminal.

[mini998]

I'm a neutral fan on this tour but I can't wait to see how Amir will perform this tour, massively talented player and shame about what happened in the past but I real hope kid to do well again.

[InternalTraining]

Hafeez should be dropped, fit or not. Pak should groom another batter in his place.

A Shahzad should try his luck in acting/films. There are plenty of cricketer roles in Pak entertainment industry.

Umar Akmal should attend anger management and whining control classes. After that he should get a job as a sommelier in some UAE restaurant - he would like nice in a vest.

[rockymoghal]

Here's an interesting question to pose. What will be the top battles in the upcoming test series?

Amir Vs Cook
Shah Vs Root
Y.Khan Vs Anderson
Misbah Vs Broad

Some very interesting options. What does everyone else think?

[brokenbat]

Here's an interesting question to pose. What will be the top battles in the upcoming test series?

Amir Vs Cook
Shah Vs Root
Y.Khan Vs Anderson
Misbah Vs Broad

Some very interesting options. What does everyone else think?

I'd say its a battle of the bowlers.. Amir/Shah vs Anderson/Broad.

[shax12]

If Pakistan can get through first 15 overs without losing more then 1 or 2 wickets then will give England a good challenge. Otherwise Anderson and Broad will be ripping through Pakistan batting line up with the new ball.

[Aussie In England]

English medium pacer James Anderson has suffered a stress fracture to his shoulder blade and is doubtful for the first Test. Surprising that a medium paced trundler has suffered an injury bowling on green tops...