On a flat pitch bouncing people out seems wise. Just putting it in the slot to be hit seems stupid. At least hope for a glove or top edge or half hit one.
Looking like England have tossed the draw away chasing the win. 7 wickets left to get 200 for Pakistan so all the praise in the world for stokes and mccullem still boils down to the simple truth thst a rock hard flat track was played by two teams in two different ways but on day 5 one is in control.of it's own result Pakistan can sit and draw which the oitch suggested by day 2 close or can got try to apply pressure to England. England have toiled in the conditions then had a quick declare to send the same bowlers out to toil again
looks like seam has bottled up the pakistan progress. 166 to win from 6 wickets and its after lunch on day 5. anderson 2/15 from 13 overs and 7 maidens. on this track thats like a 5 for. tbh at this point Pakistan might just take some time to get themselves in again so the needle is pointing towards draw
Pak 242-5 Pakistan need 101 runs to win look like england have bowled themselves into a corner now. only 3 seamers and the spin was summarily dismissed before. into 74th over and new ball shortly. likely to be about 2.5 more hours max. very tight.
pakistan celebrating now. Pak 253-5 90 left and plenty of time. england now need a break through. bowlers are bowled out
its all kicked off! stumps hit, lbw robinson refused and reviewed leech lbw given and reviewed...... not given due to height. massive moments there in the game
Tea - Pakistan 257-5, need 86 runs to win plenty of time so england now need 5 wickets or its glorious failure again.
An hour to win it. an hour to lose it. have pakistan the balls to swing away. 82/2 needed by Pakistan. 3 wickets before the light is gone by england.
well thats the win. pakistan didn't quite commit to bazballing bazball away before and just after lunch when they could have done so, the game was there for a braver side to win after a 2 day steady batting performance brought them right back in it. The declaration was brave but pakistan (IMO) didn't match the bravery. The approach turned a bore draw due to a rock hard pitch into a all the way to final session entertaining affair.