Pakistan v England
2nd Test, Faisalabad 2-6 December, 2000
MATCH DRAWN
A SILVER LINING FOR NASSER
Every stay at the crease is becoming like April 1st
and a bad dream all rolled into one for Nasser Hussain [below]. Bad luck,
a few unplayable deliveries, poor shot selection and during this Test
a couple of shocking Umpiring decisions, have seen his form and confidence
wane. The only way is up, especially given the team's increasingly resilient
form, which is in no small part due to Hussain's leadership, and partnership
with coach Duncan Fletcher.
The fading light brought England lapses in form that cost
them any chance of victory. The teams seem fairly evenly matched, with
Saqlain not performing at his best, and his two less experienced spin
partners could not finish England off. Young Danish Kaneria and the useful
Arshad Khan did prove worthy of their place, and it will be a difficult
task for England to force a significant lead, without their bowlers making
serious inroads early on.
Again it was Atherton and Thorpe [<<left] who played the most convincing
and controlled innings. Trescothick and White have played important knocks,
but as for the rest, well it does not look to rosy. Stewart has hung around
but never looked at ease, but even his record looks half decent when compared
with that enigma man, Graeme Hick.
All credit to Ian Salisbury, who may hold his place as a batsman who bowls
a bit of spin. If fitness allows, Vaughan may well replace Hick and play
the same role. England were a little over-positive assuming that both
their front line spinners would perform, Hick, Vaughan and Trescothick
between them are a decent support spinner, but England have little to
fall back on in comparison to Pakistan's army of spinners in Lahore. You
think they would have a good idea what the pitches would do!
Pakistan have done just enough to win on points so far, but their attack
has lacked depth, with Waqar not used and Mushtaq off form. The new spinners
have performed admirably, but no where near the threat of Saqlain on a
good day. Luckily for England he had an ordinary match in Lahore, and
England matched the home sides first innings score thus condemning the
Test to a draw.
Richard Kendall
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