Pakistan v England 2nd Test, Dubai, Oct 22-26

[hopeforthebest]

ian is correct the permutations offered for the team are incredibly varied. I like the one from Cork on the verdict when he said Bell would score a century in the next test and England would win.

[hopeforthebest]

I believe England are paying the price for taking an experimental squad to the UAE. Perhaps they are happy to pay the price as part of the developement of young players.

[The Professor]

Another test that got away from us. Another test of 'What If' s.

Must be really galling to have battled so hard and still be on the losing end of Pakistan's biggest ever win by runs vs England.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A big win for Pakistan, but a good effort to take the game so far. If you can't win, lose as well as you can.There's some merit in that.

[sussexpob]

A big win for Pakistan, but a good effort to take the game so far. If you can't win, lose as well as you can.There's some merit in that.

Margin was 178 runs, and Pakistan declared 5 wickets short of a second innings completion....

This is far from losing well.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hmm. I said it was a big win. Credit in them not folding after lunch though I think.

[KipperJohn]

A big win for Pakistan, but a good effort to take the game so far. If you can't win, lose as well as you can.There's some merit in that.

Margin was 178 runs, and Pakistan declared 5 wickets short of a second innings completion....

This is far from losing well.

Despite various shortcomings England have probably done far better in the UAE than anybody really expected.

Both sides have collapsed once in each game and whilst this was a heavy loss, England were only a couple of overs short of a substantial victory in the 1st Test requiring only 90 odd to win in the second innings. Plus a rear-guard action yesterday nearly forced a draw.

It is a harsh environment to play 5 day cricket and an immense learning curve for several of the players. Some of the older professionals commentating and pontificating ought to know better.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Moeen will open in the next Test, suggests Bayliss. Bell and Bairstow won't go, which makes the only possible change Taylor coming in for Buttler. Unless there are injuries.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Pakistan got help with the light whereas we didn't. Not much you can do about that.

score faster

Pakistan scored over 500 runs in the first innings of the first test, and having lost 3-0 in the previous series out there, we had every right to bat cautiously, and ultimately it paid off because we got a first innings lead. My point is that we would have won that test match if the light hadn't interfered with the allotted hours due to us, whereas in the second test the light held sufficiently to allow them to nick the last wicket.

Also doesn't help losing the toss on both occasions when you have got to bat last on a drying spinning wicket against quality slow bowlers.

A fair scoreline for me would be 1-1.

And rollocks to anyone who says otherwise.

[Aidan11]

Sandwich Patel.

[KipperJohn]

Personally I'd rather listen to what Bayliss and Farbrace have to say than any of the commentators and pundits who have never been prepared to get off their backsides in the England cause, but are happy to take the easier media money route.

[backfootpunch]

Personally I'd rather listen to what Bayliss and Farbrace have to say than any of the commentators and pundits who have never been prepared to get off their backsides in the England cause, but are happy to take the easier media money route.

farbrace is always worth a listen

seems to talk a lot of sense

[KipperJohn]

be in control of your own destiny.... don't waft about and blame bad luck

be purposeful

So long as the mrs approves....

[Making_Splinters]

At the end of the day; neither Ali or Rashid have really convinced as front line spinners, Ali has not convinced as an opener, Buttler is horrifically out of form, if Cook fails the rest of the side can't make up the difference.

The only change I can see is Taylor coming in for Buttler. Personally I'd be tempted to bring Hales in and drop Ali to 7 as there is chuff all chance Ali will front up to the Saffer new ball.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mo has the best strike rate out of any England spinner since the 1930s. His is better than Swann's, which was phenomenal, and Laker. In terms of taking wickets, he's doing the job of a front line spinner.