Sri Lanka v Pakistan (in U.A.E) (2011)

Decent Pakistani ex-pat community in the UAE and they're playing in the 3 main cities - Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Makes sense to play in the UAE, but the crowds are disappointing. Tuesday is a working day in the UAE, so that probably explains the low turn out.

Great stuff from Junaid. It is heartening every time I see a young Pakistan fast bowler performing against all odds. Who needs the Aamirs and Asifs. 

I actually liked the decision of Misbah to bowl first, I straightaway thought of it as a positive move, however I was very upset over Junaid playing ahead of Wahab, but now I'm delighted that Junaid has played ahead of Wahab!!!  

Originally posted by zuhair_abbasi Pakistan decide to bowl. Wrong team selection though. Playing Junaid over Wahab Riaz is not such a smart move.

Want to take that back zuhair ? 

Originally posted by Amal empty stadium so far! Why not PCB opt  England as a neutral venue for Pakistan. It will bring good crowds as well as result oriented matches but i think they are afraid from English media

Not the English media Amal , but the English snow and sleet might be off-putting !

Originally posted by Sledger Originally posted by Amal empty stadium so far! Why not PCB opt  England as a neutral venue for Pakistan. It will bring good crowds as well as result oriented matches but i think they are afraid from English media Not the English media Amal , but the English snow and sleet might be off-putting !

Will take that back any day Sledge!! Nothing delights me more than Pakistan performing in a test match against god oppositions.

Congrats Sledger - just make sure not to keep him/her around you when you swearing at England's performances.

Pakistan surely in the driver's seat Zuhair - all optimism should be on their side.

Congratulations Pete, wish you and your family the very best. Healthy, Wealthy and Wise!


Back to the cricket, Pakistan have ground out a 62 run lead after day 2 and that's not bad. They're batting very slow, but they were offered the right to bat slow when they got SL out for such a low score. The batsmen are playing within their limitations, you can't expect Umar and Ali to make their runs at 5 an over and keep their wickets intact - they are both limited batsmen and are playing within those limitations and that to me is better than them throwing their wickets away. Misbah and Younus are still to come in and both of them will be eager to make runs, the latter was in fine form in Zimbabwe. I'm not so sure about Shafiq or Akmal, haven't seen either of them bat before to be honest.

Again, I must commend Junaid Khan on a wonderful first day bowling performance. He has neither the speed or shape of Aamir, who was just an absolute gem, but he's done a fine job. I suppose Wahab Riaz was not picked because they did not want to play 2 left armers. Australia has picked Johnson and Bollinger in the same side before and I didn't think it was a bad move at all. India have done the same with Nehra and Zaheer as well. Anyway, I think Ajmal may be able to do some magic on day 5 and gift Pakistan the win.

Yes Sam it should be a easy win for Pakistan and good to see Umer finally doing well he was struggling before this match now he got his form back i hope he goes on to make 200 and just 1 wicket lost in entire day is a unique thing for Pakistan team hope they keep doing unique things in the future too

There are no easy wins Mystery - Pakistan cannot afford to take the foot off the gas. They will have to keep the intensity up. Remember the pitch ain't cracking too soon - SRL do have the batting to bat it out - Pak needs to ensure they end the first innings on a high to take the momentum when they come out to bowl. It has been a while we won the first test of a series against any serious opposition.

In fact all the 150 plus scores in the past three years have come against Sri Lanka. I think Misbah would want to have a crack in the final session today for 7-8 overs at least and walk away with a wicket in the bag. They lead by 240 by ea - they can add another quick 60 and put the Lankans in for a few overs.

Yes a awesome knock by Taufeeq Umer and now Pakistan should win this but as Zuhair said it wont be too easy by the way umpiring in this match was very ordinary this is why UDRS is a must.

Old Pakistan is back!!. Two catches dropped in a row by Hafeez