Yep he wants to focus on white ball cricket but that hasn't gone down well baring in mind we allowed him back after 5 years ban.

strange for him to retired so early, good bowler

Ollie Robinson is in the England squad in place of Stokes.

https://www.ecb.co.uk/england/men/news/1752195/england-men-name-squad-for-second-pakistan-test

I think we might have missed a trick by not picking Foakes and Leach. It's been so hot and dry down south that I think two spinners could have been the way to go. Buttler obviously struggled keeping to Bess but could have easily been retained as a specialist bat.

After this series, I think it's time for Pakistan to be brave and play our youngsters.

Players like Azhar Ali & Asad Shafiq aren't gonna get any better - they'll play the odd big innings in dead games on batting wickets but that's about it.

Imam Ul Haq, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Haider Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammed Hasnain, Musa Khan.

All good players under 25 y o. We may lose a few matches but with good coaching they can all improve.

Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Hafeez appears to have breached biosecurity protocols by posing for a photo with a member of the public at the golf course adjacent to the Ageas Bowl.


Thick as sheeeet. Send him home

Do not understand reason for exclusion of Imam, Had a pretty good start to his career and has solid technique.

Pakistan will not reach top at international level unless sports are introduced in schools. Govt schools are non-existent in Pakistan and private school are built in 500 yard residential property without insufficient space for any sport let alone cricket ground.60's-mid90's we produced abundance of world class players who largely graduated from schools like Imran, Javed, Majid, Asif, Wasim Raja etc.

comment by Bielsa14... ( ليدز_يونايتد )You go... (U2805)
posted about an hour ago
Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Hafeez appears to have breached biosecurity protocols by posing for a photo with a member of the public at the golf course adjacent to the Ageas Bowl.


Thick as sheeeet. Send him home
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38 years cant follow protocol

comment by THE WAR IS ON (U10140)
posted 3 hours, 31 minutes ago
Pakistan will not reach top at international level unless sports are introduced in schools. Govt schools are non-existent in Pakistan and private school are built in 500 yard residential property without insufficient space for any sport let alone cricket ground.60's-mid90's we produced abundance of world class players who largely graduated from schools like Imran, Javed, Majid, Asif, Wasim Raja etc.

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I don't know about the situation in schools but I have family and friends in Pakistan who always say that there are alot of good players in regional cricket that never get a chance at National level.

Wasim Khan is trying to change things by replacing department cricket with regional teams but it will also few years to see if it will make a difference.

comment by BODinho (U13924)
posted 6 hours, 22 minutes ago
comment by THE WAR IS ON (U10140)
posted 3 hours, 31 minutes ago
Pakistan will not reach top at international level unless sports are introduced in schools. Govt schools are non-existent in Pakistan and private school are built in 500 yard residential property without insufficient space for any sport let alone cricket ground.60's-mid90's we produced abundance of world class players who largely graduated from schools like Imran, Javed, Majid, Asif, Wasim Raja etc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know about the situation in schools but I have family and friends in Pakistan who always say that there are alot of good players in regional cricket that never get a chance at National level.

Wasim Khan is trying to change things by replacing department cricket with regional teams but it will also few years to see if it will make a difference.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mate, tell me one current Pakistani cricketer that graduated from college/school apart from Wahab Riaz and S

On the other hand, departmental cricket is better than regional cricket because it provides employment and commercial opportunities for first class cricketers which regional cricket can't since it does not generate sufficient revenue and departments are self sufficient. Departmental cricket needs to regulated to eliminate nepotism and other negatives likes bad pitches , facilities etc

comment by TCM (U8959)
posted 17 hours, 54 minutes ago
I think we might have missed a trick by not picking Foakes and Leach. It's been so hot and dry down south that I think two spinners could have been the way to go. Buttler obviously struggled keeping to Bess but could have easily been retained as a specialist bat.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
barring the last test, he hasn't been all that specialist of late though

Bat first day today.

I’m thinking the rain may call today off

Actually the metoffice is contradicting Apple weather. I think I’d go with met office saying it will rain roughly around 3pm

comment by (K̇ash) I'm the Mané - PL Champione (U1108)
posted 22 minutes ago
Bat first day today.
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Fawad Alam day today.

comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 28 minutes ago
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barring the last test, he hasn't been all that specialist of late though
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True although he's found a little form in his last 3 innings with scores of 67, 38 and 75 that I'd have said it was worth persisting with him for the series with Stokes out.

The selectors don't see it that way though so Crawley is surely a certainty to come back into the side pushing Root back to 4. Anderson is seemingly set to stay in the side and I just can't see how we can drop Broad or Woakes at the moment. That leaves 4 quicks; Archer, Wood, Curran and Robinson battling for the final spot.

I would have rested Anderson for this one,but sounds like from the press he will play, and leave out Archer who i dont see the point of playing if he cant take the new ball

comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Actually the metoffice is contradicting Apple weather. I think I’d go with met office saying it will rain roughly around 3pm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd be surprised if we see enough play to get through both teams' first innings in the whole test to be honest. Forecast looks pretty apocalyptic for the next week.

Hopefully field first - there will be so many rain delays that it will be disruptive to the bats' rhythm with all the stopping and starting

Sun shinning

Pakistan win toss and bat first.

Disagree with that - will be tough.

Strange decision

Good toss to win. Need wickets early.

Curran for Archer. Good call.