England v Pakistan (in U.A.E) 2012

Certainly in tests, England has gone up to a different level. The way that England systematically thrashed India and the manner in which South Africa succumbed to test losses against Australia and Sri Lanka, both lower ranked teams, evidences how good England really is at the moment compared to the other sides in the world. A strong pace attack, with a mix of experience and youth, pace and swing; a confident off spin bowler, respected by most batting line ups around the world; a long batting line up, in which the top batsmen have all shown the ability to make big scores - statistically England batsmen have done very well in the 'double hundred' department. We also cannot discount how far England have come in terms of fitness and fielding.

In saying that, however, if one team is going to pose problems it's going to be Pakistan. Batsmen these days have not been subjected to the sort of swing and seam as batsmen of past generations have faced, and Pakistani pacers tend to have the requisite skills to generate the sort of swing and seam to trouble even the best of batsmen. If the Pakistani slip fieldsmen can hold on to their catches, then Pakistan will always have a chance for success.

I am backing an England win, but if the traditionally inconsistent Pakistan are playing at their best , then I am sure we will see a fine contest and I'm hoping, despite what will probably be 'roads' that the bowlers will have a good sniff. The most intriguing tests of late, and by chance they have involved Australia by and large, have been great for the bowlers and have made for awesome tests.

Once batsmen start refining their techniques to combat the swing and seam we'll see some quality test match hundreds as a result. That'd be great to see.

England are a professional unit - they will do all what  it takes to get accustomed to the conditions. Pakistan have done well to throw away the inconsistent part in them - and I expect the batsmen to show some spine which they did against relatively weaker teams in 2011. England's strength and Pak's safety first approach could also result in draws -  just like it did in late 2010 against SAF.

ENG are firm favorites in tests, it is very very difficult to see how Pakistan will beat them because ENG's batting, Pace bowling and fielding are all better than PAK. The spin department I'd say is just in favor of PAK. I rate Ajmal as the best spinner in the world ahead of Swann and I'd rate Abdur Rahman ahead of Panesar.

Well, Sam is right about one thing about England's batsmen on spin friendly surface.  That's gotta be Pakistan's trumph card.  Also, with Pakistan, you just never know.  The likes of Gul may just be on song and let down a masterclass piece of fast bowling.

I fancy England to win the tests (due to it being a Pakistani batting attack), but think Pakistan will make lighter work of the shorter format.  Cricket is not played on paper though, it should be an interesting series.

Yeah I can't imagine that England will flourish as well in the UAE as they do in more familiar territory.

I don't know if I'm convinced that Swann is heads and shoulders more effective than Ajmal. Since when has England been great against spin? Murali and Warne have embarrassed the English batsmen on many occasions and I'm sure Ajmal will have some success, although I do think England will formulate some plans against him and Flower was a wonderful player of spin - should have some good insight.

Oh don't get me wrong, I prefer Swann for the same reasons as you and also think that Ajmal is... not necessarily bowling in very legitimate fashion.

Originally posted by Mikey O not necessarily bowling in very legitimate fashion.

 legitimate it is - not clean though

I would like to see both Panesar and Swann play but I can tell ENG won't have the guts to pull the trigger. You don't need the extra batsman in the sub-continent, you do need more variety and options with the ball and 2 spinners provides that. Cook, Strauss, Trott, Pietersen, Bell and Prior is a rock solid top 6 and Bresnan and Broad at 7 and 8 are very capable of batting at those positions. Swann at 9 is no mug either. You can get more than enough runs that way and have 2 spinners at your disposal so the pace bowlers don't tire so quickly. Morgan at 7 is a bit of a wasted position really, I would like to see aggressive decision-making from the top Test side. 

Pak will definitely go with 2 spinner s and we all know who they are. Fast bowling options would be interesting. On current form I'd o pick Cheema and Gul. The  rest of the team picks itself. Don't think Umar Akmal will get a  chance unless Asad Shafiq manages a pair in the first test.

Nothing much of a story actually. He has been cleared on all accounts and has been in reasonable touch in the domestic season earning his place back. But he won't be getting a game - he is in fourth in the priority list among the fast bowlers Pakistan are carrying - and Pak will only play 2 fast bowlers in a match. He will be carrying drinks. He will certainly play the ODIs though.

Setting India - Pakistan rively aside , I frankly don't see Pakistan winning a even single Test match (even in my dreams) unless Ajmal and Rehman spin some real magic (which Ajmal is capable of on those pitches).

I would like to rename this series as England Vs Ajmal.

 

I don't care if it's home or away ... bouncy,dead or spin track to me all are equal in cricket.If Pakistan win the series against England ... only then I will agree that they have improved and come of age.

Even if England play to about say 50% of their abilities , it will be 3-0 for sure.

So how badly (in percentage terms) will England have to play to lose  even a single game? And how badly did England play at home when they lost the Oval test against Pakistan? And what was the percentage in terms of ability that South Africa managed to put in last time they were here drawing the series?

Edited by zuhair_abbasi - 07 January 2012 at 8:10am

So what do you call a team that gets thrashed on a batting paradise Raj? India?