Eng Vs Pak - Day 2: Lunch Report
It can be said that England did have a slight edge in the first session of day 2 at the Oval. The home side got rid of the set Batsman Yasir Hameed in the very first over of the day, and later Graeme Swann accounted for the out of form Pakistan captain Salman Butt, followed by the wicket of night watchman just before the break. Pakistan went in at 111/4.
Pakistan had a mixed day one result. Andrew Strauss after winning the toss elected to bat first. The decision however backfired with the hosts at 94 for 7. But thanks to Matt Prior and Stuart Broad England were able to take their score past 200 and eventually ended the Innings at 233.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s debutant Wahab Riaz took 5 wickets, but that was not the end of his day’s work. He was sent in to bat as a night watchman when Imran Farhat was dismissed in the final over.
Pakistan ended day one at 48 for the loss of one wicket, still trialing England by 185 runs. The 2nd day did not begin ideally for Pakistan. Yasir Hameed the man making his comeback in the team after a long layoff was dismissed in the very first over. The right handed openers went to cut a short and wide one and edged one behind the stumps off the bowling of Finn. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yasir-Hameed-c2811 had been quite positive in his approach for his 36 runs at the end of the day. He faced 56 balls for his 36 runs with 1 six and 5 boundaries.
Wahab Riaz Meanwhile continued to frustrate the English attack. In came Salman Butt who, possibly due to his poor run in the series, decided to drop him-self down the order. With an average of just 4 in the series he was desperate for some runs. The weight of captaincy seems to have brought about his downfall. He looked quite nervous and determined not to get out rather than looking making runs.
Butt did manage 17 runs from 26 balls with 3 fours, but he was never convincing in his short stay, he ended up giving a catch to the keeper when he tried to cut one that bounced close to him. The kepper make a great catch, Prior to juggled it before completing the catch off the bowling of Graeme Swann.
In came another comeback man Muhammad Yousuf, the Veteran was brought back on the side after he had announced his retirement. He did look apprehensive but determined, however just before lunch there was a moment of insanity. Night watchman Wahab Riaz was given an out on LBW while trying to sweep; it did look pretty straight forward but after consultation with Yousuf Wahab Riaz decided to use the Referral. And as predicted it was a waste, the replays showed that he was clearly out LBW and was sent on his way. However he did do his job by lasting 75 minutes and scored 27 runs.
At Lunch Pakistan were at 111 for 4, trialing England by 122 runs. Muhammad Yousuf was unbeaten at 16 and with Azhar Ali yet to get off the Mark.
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