http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 look to square test series, England want a win at Lord's
Pakistan hopes to succeed in pulling back the ongoing Test series in England to 2-2 draw. The hosts look forward to winning the 4th and last test, which begins today, 26th August, at Lord's, and the series. Over the years the Pakistani cricket team has built a reputation of being unpredictable. True to form, they suffered two horrific defeats at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston and then they surprised everyone with a four wicket win in the 3rd test at The Oval.
One might feel Mohammad Yousuf’s sudden return to Test cricket was a catalyst for last week’s dramatic victory for Pakistan’s Test team at The Oval. But English pacer Steven Finn, playing only his 6th Test match insisted, “havingYousuf in the team doesn’t make them a different team at all”.
But contrary to Finn’s remark, Yousuf scoring runs has apparently had a calming effect on the young Pakistani batsmen around him. Young Azhar Ali’s unbeaten knock of 92 in the first innings of the third Test, set up Pakistan’s first 300 plus total of the series. On the other hand, his departure for 33 in the second innings started a wave of panic and indecision that temporarily put the young Pakistani batsmen on the back foot. Proving, Yousuf’s inclusion has affected the performance of the team.
The 35-year old veteran batsman will be the key to success for the young visitors. The time he spends in the middle would be the defining moments of this last test at Lord's. The veteran averages a healthy 52.95 in 89 test matches, scoring more than 7,500 runs. His inclusion in the Test side has given Pakistan a much needed boost in the batting department, as he makes batting look easy rather than burdensome. His calm authority with the bat is surely growing on fellow teammates.
The English do fear the veteran’s track record at Lord's. As the last Test encounter between these two cricketing nations at ‘the home of cricket’ resulted in a high scoring game in 2006. Five centuries were made, out of which the veteran batsman scored a double century, and his 202 runs contributed to a draw. No matter what critics say about Yousuf’s inclusion, his record breaking performance in 2006 will definitely play on the minds of young English bowlers.
Besides Yousuf’s batting the hosts will also be looking out for young captain Salman Butt. With his 48-runs in the second innings at The Oval, Pakistan’http://www.senore.com/Cricket/S-Young-c87719 captain showed signs of finding his form in Test cricket. An alliance in the middle order between Butt and Yousuf can provide strong support to Pakistan’s fragile batting line-up.
Even though, Umar Gul has recovered sufficiently from his hamstring injury, it does not ensure him being in the playing eleven. Wahab Riaz’s memorable five-wicket haul on debut at The Oval has earned him a place in the Lord's Test match. Gul is a vital player in Pakistan’s limited-overs game, but young Riaz’s recent performance in the longer format of the game gives selectors another option. Kamran Akmal’s wicket-keeping seems to appear much improved, but his sluggish batting is what troubles the Pakistani camp the most.
After the last tour of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747, this is the first test to be played at Lord's. An uncertain pitch due to the expected rain is expected for the first two days of the upcoming test match. But its repute of providing a high-scoring game would be welcomed respite for batsmen from both sides, who have played in bowler-friendly conditions so far in this series. For once, Pakistan’s team will not contain any changes or surprises.
All said and done, the visitors hope their winning team combination from The Oval works at Lord's. The Pakistani team is surely looking forward to finishing the Test series with a respectful 2-2 draw. As for the English, they will be looking to win the test series. Depending on the English game plan and Pakistan’s unpredictable game style, spectators can expect an intriguing match of cricket.
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