The Reverse Sweep

Butt, Asif and Aamer guilty verdicts prompts more questions than answers

The guilty verdicts handed out yesterday to Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif sadly came as no surprise given the evidence and the fact that Mohammad Aamer had already entered a guilty plea at the outset of the trial.

But were the deliberate no-balls that eventually led to the trio potentially losing their liberty as well as their livelihood just the tip of a particularly foul smelling iceberg?

Whilst most of the claims of Mazhar Majeed made to the undercover News of the World reporter can perhaps be dismissed as fantasy, one in particular demands further investigation by the authorities.

Majeed also claimed to have Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz and Imran Farhat under his control, which if so prompts a number of questions about that England-Pakistan series alone.

For instance, Pakistan were bowled out for scores of 80, 72 and 74 over the four Test series. Was this down as it seemed at the time to England's masterful bowling attack or was there something far more sinister afoot?

Then taking each of the players in turn. Was Kamran Akmal's atrocious performance behind the stumps at Trent Bridge (and Sydney the same year for that matter) and pair in the same match simply evidence that he was the worst keeper in the history of international cricket? Or was he merely following orders?

Did brother Umar deliberately run himself out in the first innings at The Oval? What about Imran Farhat's bizarre 24 ball duck at Edgbaston? And then there was Wahab Riaz's five no-balls on debut at The Oval where like Aamer at Lord's, he starred with the ball.

The first reaction to the guilty verdicts is to ask what else was dirty. All the incidents referred to above could have been something or nothing. What are we to believe? This is the epitaph of Butt, Asif and Aamer's wanton selfish act.

People laughed at the match-fixing claims of Yasir Hameed and Zulqarnain Haider that followed in the wake of the News of the World bombshell. How are we to view these now?

To their credit, the current Pakistan side have recovered well from the stain that was visited upon them by the spot-fixing scandal of Lord's 2010. Under Misbah-ul-Haq's astute and steady leadership, their Test performances have been consistent and improving.

Slowly, but surely all of the seven players named by Majeed have been dropped from the Test side. Maybe this is a case of the PCB quietly repairing the damage that was wrought? Maybe it isn't. They uncovered deliberate acts of underperformance from certain members of the squad that toured Australia in 2009/10. Were these players just trying to get their favourite appointed as captain or were they being rewarded by unknown others?

Whilst we should perhaps take some satisfaction from the fact that Butt will now become Butt by name and Butthole by nature should he receive a custodial sentence, all cricket fans lost something in yesterday's verdict - especially the devoted and fanatical followers of Pakistan.

Prison may well be the safest place for Butt and his errant former new ball pair.

Where next - check out our other posts on the spot-fixing scandal?

Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif & some MCC members with a bow and arrow

Disgraced Butt, Aamer and Asif hit a new low

Zeroes: Salman Butt 

Is this the most blatant example of a fixed cricket match ever?

A canned Hollywood film about cricket, fixing and a homeless team

Spot-fixing: Mohammad Aamer & the potential waste of an irrepressible talent

England vs Pakistan: 4th test - Pakistan marks out of ten 

The next 11 crazy events involving the Pakistan cricket team

Revealed: New PCB Player Code of Conduct

Yasir Hameed: Better than Bradman?

Check out all our other Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

World Cup Team Previews: Pakistan - Tigers or pussies?

 
After all the furore of the spot-fixing scandal, Pakistan have been doing rather nicely, thank you very much. After running England and South Africa close in ODI series’, New Zealand were put to the sword only a matter of weeks ago. The more chaotic it gets, the better that Pakistan seem to perform. So just how do you predict the unpredictable?

Strengths

Despite the enforced absence of Aamer and Asif, Pakistan still has strength and variety in its attack with the brilliant Gul, backed up by Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Akhtar and the impressive spinner Abdur Rehman. The emergence of the talented Ahmed Shehzad more than compensates for the suspended Butt and Misbah and Younis Khan have brought much needed stability to the middle order. And then there is Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq.

Weaknesses

Pakistan’s unpredictability can be a strength, but it also means that they habitually snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Kamran Akmal is a liability with bat and gloves and the fielding is shambolic at best.

Main man

Misbah-ul-Haq’s form has been a revelation since he came back into the side and he just pips Gul and Shehzad for this accolade.

Look out for…

Shahid Afridi, whether with bat or ball, directing his troops, eating cricket balls or pirouetting in the middle of the pitch, you just can’t keep your eyes off him.

Prediction

3rd in the group after a typically harrowing defeat against Australia, before bouncing back to beat serial chokers South Africa in the quarter-finals to set up the mother of all semi-finals with India. It is there that we predict that Pakistan’s World Cup journey will come to an end.

Where next?

Why Salman Butt commentating at the World Cup is a good idea

Exclusive: The New Ten Point Pakistan Player Code of Conduct

World Cup Team previews: Part 1 - India: Glory or effigies?

World Cup Team Previews: Part 2 - South Africa: Don't mention the 'C' word...

World Cup Team Previews: Part 3 - Bangladesh: Shock & Awe

World Cup Team Previews: Part 4 - West Indies: Calypso or Collapso?

World Cup Team Previews: Part 5 - England: How far can resilience take them?

World Cup Team Previews: Part 6 - Ireland/Canada/Kenya/Netherlands: Last chance for the minnows?

World Cup Team Previews: Part 7 - Zimbabwe - An army of spin

World Cup Team Previews: Part 8 - Australia: Four in a row?

Our XI to shine at the World Cup

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes including Kamran Akmal, Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

The next 11 crazy events involving the Pakistan cricket team

 
Can Pakistan cricket get any crazier? Just when you think that it has reached a low, along comes Zulqarnain Haider doing his impersonation of the Scarlet Pimpernel as he vanished into thin air only to materialise sometime later at Heathrow Airport.

We've been mulling over what is likely to happen next with the Pakistan cricket team, and after looking into our crystal ball we can confidently predict the next 11 major events.

1. Zulqarnain becomes a bit of a celebrity in his new home in the UK and replaces the Irish bloke on the X Factor judges panel, has an affair with Cheryl Cole and plays himself in an autobiographical flick entitled 'Escape From Dubai'.
2. Following the call-up of the third Akmal brother Adnan to the Pakistan squad rumours of nepotism and mafia cartels strengthen further when first Father Akmal and then Mother Akmal are also called into the squad.
3. Misbah-ul-Haq resigns the Test captaincy after the calamitous performance of the side in the two tests against South Africa, although Mother Akmal impresses with the gloves.
4. Younis Khan reveals the real reason behind the conspiracy against his captaincy that was perpetuated by Shoaib Malik - he is a cross-dresser that regularly wears stockings, suspenders and a basque under his cricket whites.
5. Shahid Afridi announces that he is returning to test cricket and is promptly named as test captain for the tour of New Zealand. After scoring 21 from 7 balls in Pakistan's failed run chase in the 1st Test, he retires from tests again citing that he doesn't have the mental strength or technique required for the five day game. Mother Akmal is made captain for the rest of the series.
6. In a poll on Cricinfo, Shahid Afridi is named as the sanest person in cricket today. Shoaib Akhtar comes second and Ijaz Butt third.
7. Shoaib Malik announces his divorce from Sania Mirza. He says that the marriage was all a big mistake and he'd got Mirza confused with the opponent she was playing at the time he first saw her. His engagement to Maria Sharapova is confirmed soon after.
8. Imran Farhat's book The Art of Batting is a worldwide best seller and copies are seen in the cricket bags of such luminaries as Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Kevin Pietersen and Ricky Ponting. All say that they wish they could bat like Farhat. 
9. Wahab Riaz beats Jonathan Trott at Madison Square Gardens to become WBO Heavyweight Champion of the World.
10. Amidst all the chaos Pakistan win the 2011 World Cup with a team solely comprised of Akmals. Kamran scores a hundred, Umar a fifty and Father Akmal takes five for ten as India are beaten.
11. Zulqarnain survives being stabbed with a poisoned umbrella on his way into the X Factor studios. Suspects include Ashley Cole and Kamran Akmal, as well as a mysterious Asian man with green lipstick.

Where next?

Exclusive: The New Ten Point Pakistan Player Code of Conduct

Historic India-Pakistan peace summit flounders on cricket diplomacy

Heroes: Mushtaq Ahmed

Zeroes: Shoaib Malik

England aim to complete World Cup jigsaw

Whilst the Pakistan cricket team descends further into chaos after more corruption allegations this time involving Wahab Riaz and two heavy defeats in the Twenty 20 internationals (even Shahid Afridi admits that captaining the side is ‘very hard’), England will be looking to put the final pieces of their World Cup jigsaw in place today when the one day series starts.

It is sometimes hard to believe that it is only a year since England reached their nadir in one day cricket when they were smashed to kingdom come by Australia in the Nat West Series that followed the Ashes. Since then of course, England have adopted a more positive and aggressive approach, which has paid off in spades. An improved performance in the Champions Trophy was followed by series wins in South Africa and Bangladesh, before revenge was gained against the Australians in the Nat West Series earlier in the summer.

However, there is still some work for Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss to do as evidenced by the poor defeat to Bangladesh at Bristol and the two dead rubber losses to Australia when a 5-0 whitewash had looked on the cards. Flower and Strauss also need to put the finishing touches to their first choice XI and doubts still remain over who will open the batting with the captain, who bats at six, who will keep wicket, who will be the second spinner and which seamer will join Stuart Broad and James Anderson in the attack.

Who opens with Strauss?

The rags to riches to rags again story of Craig Kieswetter means that the selectors have decided to opt for Surrey keeper Steven Davies for the five matches against Pakistan. Presumably Davies will open the batting with Strauss, so he could prove a like for like swap with Kieswetter. Davies is arguably a better keeper than Kieswetter, but whether he is the aggressive opener that will be needed for sub-continental pitches is another thing. Ravi Bopara is another possible candidate to open the batting, but may be better at number six.

The middle order

Assuming that either Davies or Kieswetter will eventually win the selectors vote to partner Strauss, that means the four middle order places can be filled by batsmen. The decision to drop Kevin Pietersen from the squad gives Jonathan Trott, who currently averages over 70 in ODI, another chance to nail down the number three spot. It is hard see England going without Pietersen in the long-term, so with Eoin Morgan and Paul Collingwood probably also racing certainties for the World Cup XI, that leaves Trott, Bopara, Ian Bell and Luke Wright battling for the final batting spot. Bopara is arguably best suited to the number six spot as he can bat in several gears and is also a useful medium pace bowler, but if Trott keeps getting the runs (if you pardon the pun) then he will be hard to ignore.

Second spinner

Michael Yardy seems to have the vote of the selectors for the second spinner position and his batting adds another string to his bow. He is not a great spinner of the ball, but his darts have proved pretty effective. Two spinners will be required on sub-continental pitches, so maybe the selectors have missed a trick by not blooding Adil Rashid (maybe at the expense of Wright?) to provide them with another option here.

Broad and Anderson, but which other seamers?

With Graeme Swann, Broad and Anderson nailed on certainties for the World Cup XI that leaves one spot open. Given that the selectors have chosen not to give Steve Finn a try in the 50 over format, it would seem that the choice boils down to Ryan Sidebottom, Tim Bresnan or Ajmal Shahzad. The latter would seem best suited for sub-continental pitches but he is also the least experienced of the three and the selectors seem to like the whole-hearted but limited Bresnan.

Our prediction for the Pakistan series

Pakistan’s current problems mean that they are unlikely to cause England too many problems during the series. However, it should be interesting to see how the 6’10” (or 7'1" depending on which PCB press release you believe) fast bowling giant that is Mohammad Irfan fares. With Umar Akmal, Afridi and Saeed Ajmal all being excellent one day players, Pakistan should win one game despite the chaos enveloping their party. So we go for a 4-1 series win for England.

England vs Pakistan: 4th test - Pakistan marks out of ten

When England were 102 for seven just after lunch on Friday, the Pakistan team were in ecstasy as they contemplated completing their fightback to draw the series with England.

But ecstasy turned to agony as first Jonathan Trott's and Stuart Broad's partnership and then a spineless batting display condemned Pakistan to their biggest ever test defeat. Then came the ignominy of the spot-fixing scandal, which could end the careers of a number of their side if the allegations are proven.

So, it may seem churlish and unimportant now to cast our marks out of ten for the Pakistan XI who played at Lord's, but we will do so because Trott's and Broad's achievements deserve to be remembered.

Imran Farhat - 2: If Farhat is a test match opener than I am the King of England. Sorry Imran, but an ability to cope with the new ball is kind of important if you want to open the batting. Two shocking dismissals especially the wild heave-ho in the second innings.

Yasir Hameed - 2: Actually made Farhat look half-decent. His charge down the wicket to Broad after the follow-on was irresponsibility personified. Now, we wonder if there was something more sinister involved?

Salman Butt - 5: At least the captain showed some fight with the bat even if he couldn't contend with Swann's extravagant spin. If the allegations about Butt's involvement in the spot-fixing scandal are true it will be dreadfully sad as his dignity and ability as captain seemed just what Pakistan cricket needed.

 

Mohammad Yousuf - 3: Will probably be wishing now that he had stayed retired. Undone by a wonderful yorker by Broad in the first innings and fell to a sucker punch in the second. Here, unlike at the Oval, Yousuf looked like a man who hadn't picked up a bat in seven months.

Azhar Ali - 5: Didn't kick on from his wonderful knock at the Oval, but with all the on and off-field turmoil going on around him, is it any wonder the inexperienced Azhar looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights?

Umar Akmal - 6: Undone by the Lord's sightscreen and Finn's height in the first innings, but enjoyed himself second time around when the pressure was off. Showed that butter fingers run in the family with a truly awful drop to reprieve Cook.

Kamran Akmal - 5: Although he kept wicket well enough for the second successive match (surely a record for the older Akmal?), his batting has truly fallen apart. Should be replaced by Zulqarnain for the tests against South Africa even if the allegations against him prove unfounded.

Mohammad Aamer - 9: Wonderful bowling confirmed that Aamer is perhaps the most talented bowler of his age in the history of cricket. He's certainly the best 18 year old we've seen and his control and mastery of conventional and reverse swing is truly remarkable. One desperately hopes that the allegations against him are not true - otherwise his story will have a sad and tragic end.

Wahab Riaz - 3: Was impotent, expensive and ineffectual with the ball and disappointing with the bat. May well prove to be a one test wonder.

Saeed Ajmal - 4: With Trott and Broad playing him so well, Ajmal was ineffective for the first time in the series. The extravagant spin and bounce found by Swann makes Ajmal's performance all the more disappointing.

Mohammad Asif - 6: Found a beautiful nip-backer to snare Strauss but it was all downhill from there as he was nullified by Trott's clever tactics. It is now alleged that Asif's chequered career has taken yet another wrong turn.

The Boundary View: A day of two halves, Lord's, Day Two

Test cricket - the best game in the world

Detractors of test cricket should be made to watch a re-run of the whole day's play again and again. This was test cricket at its best as the day fluctuated from one side to the other. We saw brilliant bowling from Mohammad Aamer and excellent catching from Pakistan in the morning and then the bravest of rearguards from Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad before they launched a thrilling counterattack. Can any other form of cricket or any other sport offer a rollercoaster of action and emotion like test cricket? Of course not.

England's Mr Dependable

At the start of the summer, many observers predicted that Jonathan Trott was the most likely of the seven batsmen to miss out come the Ashes. How wrong they were (Yes, we were guilty too...). Trott has just gone quietly about his business in his own inimitable style and has now made the number three position his own. Trott's innings today probably even surpassed the hundred he made on debut in the Ashes decider last summer. The way he batted out of his crease and used his feet to nullify Mohammad Asif gave England some breathing space, which meant that first with Prior and then with Broad, Trott was able to lead England's amazing recovery. Trott passed 1,000 test runs during his innings, now averages 56 in tests and is what a shadow of a doubt England's Mr Dependable. What a turnaround.

Beating your Dad is sweet, but beating Ponting is sweeter

Not only was this Stuart Broad's first test and first-class hundred, but when he reached 123 it also became the highest score ever by an England number nine (beating Gubby Allen's landmark of 1931). After spending some time in the middle at The Oval during another rearguard (this time with Prior), Broad rediscovered the talent with the bat that hasn't been apparent for over a year now. It was a wonderfully positive knock and Broad proved a perfect foil to Trott's more obdurate style. Reaching a hundred also earned Broad bragging rights at home as his father's best test score at Lord's was 86. Broad is now on the honours board at the home of cricket where a certain Ricky Ponting's name is a notable absentee. Bet he can't wait to remind him of that come November 25th.

Aamer the record breaker

For the second test in a row, Mohammad Aamer was simply unplayable during an inspired spell. Last time it was a masterful display of pace, reverse swing and late movement, this time it was pace and traditional swing both ways as Aamer obtained late movement again to bamboozle England's out of form middle order. Prior's wicket after lunch gave him his second successive five for and his 50th wicket in test cricket, which if his passport is to be believed makes him the youngest bowler to reach this milestone in test history. He has now taken 30 wickets this summer and one wonders how much he could achieve in the game. On this form, the sky's the limit.  

Another test, another wretched England batting collapse

England's batting travails in this series have been highlighted and dissected throughout the week, but the loss of four wickets in eight Aamer balls was a new low. Trott and Prior may be in decent form, but the rest are having a dreadful run. The averages for five of the top six in this series make worrying reading. Morgan averages 29.16 despite that hundred at Trent Bridge. The others are even worse with Strauss 25.83, Cook 23.85, Pietersen 23.33 and Collingwood a calamitous 19.83. Ricky Ponting must be licking his lips in anticipation.

Butt backs the wrong horse

Apart from their woeful fielding during the Trott-Broad partnership, the worst aspect of Pakistan's play was the support bowling. For the first time in this series, England nullified the threat of Saeed Ajmal and played him with ease - especially Trott. Wahab Riaz, the hero on debut in the first innings at The Oval, looked like a novice and carried absolutely no threat. Whether Butt and Waqar went for Wahab over a fit again Umar Gul because of his performance at The Oval or because they want to save Gul for the one dayers, it was the wrong choice and has probably cost them the match. With Gul, Pakistan could have wrapped up the England innings for less than 150.

Player of the day

Take your pick from Aamer, Broad and Trott, but we opt for the latter. He was in when the ball was darting everywhere, skilfully handled Aamer and Asif and kept his focus despite all the chaos at the other end. England's Mr Dependable has probably secured the series for his side.

Zero of the day

Kevin Pietersen's form has gone from a concern to a disaster. He even admitted himself before this test match that he has lost his swagger and confidence. The shot he played to get out was dreadful with Geoff Boycott summing it up perfectly on Test Match Special "If I'd played a shot like that, I'd have cut my throat". Yes, it was that bad.

England vs Pakistan: 3rd test - Pakistan marks out of ten

Spirit in the Pakistan camp is obviously high given that they were able to put heavy defeats at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston behind them to bounce back with avengeance at the Oval. Pakistan sides of recent vintage would have descended into chaos and recrimination after two such crushing defeats, so captain Salman Butt and coach Waqar Younis should take a lot of credit for avoiding this.

Pakistan will now believe that they can square the series at Lord's and have a number of factors in their favour. Mohammad Yousuf has added calmness and solidity to the batting and his influence seems to have imbued his batting colleagues with a bit more steel. Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif continue to impress and England still haven't been able to pick Saeed Ajmal. Moreover their fielding, which was so poor in the first two tests, was a revelation at the Oval.

So, how did the Pakistan team fare on the Reverse Sweep marks out of ten scale?  

Imran Farhat - 7: Transformed from the strokeless Farhat of Edgbaston into a Tamim Iqbal clone when getting the Pakistan run chase off to a flier. Given that he also got runs in the Headingley run chase against Australia it would seem that Farhat likes the pressure cooker.

Yasir Hameed - 6: Came in for his first test of the summer and provided a much needed positive approach at the top of the order to give Pakistan's 1st innings a lightning start riding his luck in the process. Fortune ran out in the second innings with a first ball duck.

Salman Butt - 8: Is really impressing as captain both on and off the field and unlike his opposite number, everything went right for Butt here. He even managed to finally get some runs as he led from the front during the run chase. This was just reward for his dignity and bravery in dropping down to three. Captaincy record now stands at two wins and two losses - who'd have thought that when he took over amidst the chaos of Afridi's resignation?

Mohammad Yousuf - 9: A class act. Not only showed the quality that Pakistan's batting has been missing all summer, but spread calmness and confidence throughout his batting colleagues. Batted from memory at the start of his first knock, but once he had played himself in, Yousuf demonstrated exactly what he is a world class batsmen. How could Pakistan have ever left out a batsman this good? Shame on you, Ijaz Butt.

Azhar Ali - 8: Took his cue from Yousuf and visibly grew in confidence during his brilliant 92 not out in the first innings. Clearly has a lot of talent and a long test career beckons. Let's just overlook his ridiculous run out that sparked all the panic in the second innings.

Umar Akmal - 6: Immensely talented, but first innings dismissal raised questions as to how much there is between the ears. His crazy run out just three balls before the new ball cost Pakistan a big first innings lead and could have lost them the game. Redeemed himself in the second innings by showing uncharacteristic patience when the pressure was at its most intense and was rewarded by hitting the winning runs.

Kamran Akmal - 7: Lucky to play after Zulqarnain's unfortunate injury, but then surprised by catching everything that came his way. His batting in English conditions though clearly needs a rethink and his dismissal in the second innings offering no shot to Swann was particularly poor. In this form, he is a place too high at seven.

Mohammad Aamer - 9: Bounced back from a quiet time in the first innings to deliver a matchwinning Akramesque spell in the second. Bowled fast, full and gained wicked late movement. Simply brilliant, but is he really only 18? Was at the crease when the winning runs were hit for the second successive run chase.

Saeed Ajmal - 8: England's top order still can't pick him, which helped Ajmal during his long spell in England's second innings. Bowled with guile, intelligence and skill as evidenced by his fabulous over to Pietersen that sparked England's collapse. Danish Kaneria may as well set up home permanently in Essex as Ajmal won't be going anywhere for some time.

Wahab Riaz - 8: Came in for Gul to some disquiet from Pakistani followers, but had a dream first day in test cricket with a well deserved five for. The icing on the cake was his patient 27 as nightwatchman, which frustrated England no end.

Mohammad Asif - 8: Was his usual consistent self and even had the generosity to help Cook to his century by his wild shy at the stumps. How he isn't included in the ICC Cricketer of the Year longlist defies belief.

The Boundary View: England vs Pakistan, The Oval, Day Three

In a topsy-turvy day, England wrested control of the match by tea before some magnificent bowling from Mohammad Aamer and Saeed Ajmal inspired a batting collapse that once again left Pakistan in firm control of the test by the time bad light ended day prematurely at the end of the third day at The Oval.

The new Wasim?

According to his passport, Mohammad Aamer is only 18, which if true is frightening because he is already one hell of a bowler. It is too early to compare him to Wasim Akram, who along with Malcolm Marshall is the best fast bowler we have seen in over 30 years as an avid cricket watcher. That said, his performance after tea was certainly Akramesque as he combined pace, a full length and vicious reverse swing. The ball that induced Matt Prior's edge was sensational.

Unpickable

It seems that England's batsmen have found it as difficult to pick Saeed Ajmal as Pakistan's selectors. Since belatedly coming into the side at Edgbaston, Ajmal has caused problems for all of England's top seven including renowned players of spin like Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood. He bowled a fantastic over to Pietersen straight after tea and was rewarded when he suckered England's star man with the sixth delivery, which bowled him through a worryingly large gate.

Cook finds the right recipe at last

If we continue with the culinary analogies, the chef that Alastair Cook has most resembled recently has been Gordon Ramsey. Such are the expletives that have been uttered by England supporters at the end of Cook's all too brief stays at the crease this summer. We said yesterday that this was a big day for Cook and he certainly rode his luck with a number of edges through the slip cordon early in the day, but he deserved his hundred for his bottle, improved footwork and uncharacteristic positive approach. Mohammad Asif obviously agreed judging by his helping hand to get Cook from 97 to 101 - has anyone ever reached a hundred in more bizarre fashion? Cook's visa for an Australian winter is now stamped. 

The man who fell to Earth

After a stunning first two days in test cricket, Wahab Riaz was brought crashing back down to Earth in the morning session with four expensive overs. That said he did come back fighting later in the day and picked up the wicket of Alastair Cook, albeit caught off a faint edge down the leg side.

I'll do it my way

There was plenty of talk in the Sky box about the pace or otherwise of Jonathan Trott's innings. But we don't have a problem with his approach. He read the match situation, saw that Cook was batting fluently and decided that the best thing he could do for the team was to dig in and stay at the crease for as long as possible. We weren't convinced at first, but Trott is perfect for the number three role. Shame about the loose dismissal chasing a wide one then after all his hard work.

Player of the day

Cook had this one sown up by tea only for the exuberance of youth to pip him and Ajmal to the crown. Aamer's spell of 7.2-3-10-3 after tea looks like it will seal the match for Pakistan. If he can stay fit and continue to improve, then he will be the best fast bowler in the world within three years.

Zero of the day

This one has to go the umpires for prematurely curtailing a truly fascinating final session by offering England's last pair the light. It was hardly unplayable and if it is dangerous, we're with Bob Willis on this "show me the bodies". The spectators who had paid a minimum of 40 quid a ticket can consider themselves hard done by.

Biggest surprise

Kamran Akmal caught everything again and now has eight catches in the match. Who'd have thought that? 

What will happen on day four?

England need a miraculous last wicket partnership to try and eke out as a big a lead as possible, and then hope that James Anderson and Graeme Swann can replicate Aamer's and Ajmal's post-tea onslaught. Otherwise, Pakistan should ease to a five or six wicket win.

The Boundary View: England vs Pakistan, The Oval, Day Two

Pakistan were on top for a second successive day at The Oval as they battled to gain a useful first innings lead of 75 before reducing England to 6/1 at the close with Andrew Strauss already back in the hutch.

Form is temporary, class is permanent

Or so the old adage goes. Mohammad Yousuf looked like a man batting from memory when he first came to the crease yesterday - hardly surprising when you consider he has hardly picked up a bat in anger for seven months. But he dug in and rode his luck before lunch whilst still managing to exude enough calmness to inspire nightwatchman Wahab Riaz to almost survive the morning session. Then in partnership with Azhar Ali, the real Yousuf emerged in the afternoon session as he gave a batting masterclass and coaxed Azhar to exhibit his obvious talent in a telling fifth wicket partnership. A hundred looked there for the taking until Graeme Swann induced an ill-timed drive when Yousuf had made 56.

Azhar takes his cue from the old master

Azhar looked a promising batsman when compiling a patient and high-quality fifty during Pakistan's harum scarum run chase against Australia at Headingley in only his second test match. He confirmed this view yesterday at The Oval, showing a lot of heart during his unbeaten 92 and clearly gaining inspiration and confidence from the presence and advice of Yousuf. Azhar deserved a maiden test hundred but if he keeps batting like this, one can only be just around the corner.

Crazy runnings

A good day at the office for Pakistan could have been even better but for another brainstorm from Umar Akmal. His sixth wicket partnership with Azhar had England on the rack, and Akmal was starting to look like the immensely talented batsman we had seen in New Zealand and Australia. So why did he set off for that crazy single just three balls before the new ball was due? Akmal's error probably cost his side a big first innings lead and one wonders how much there is between the ears. Injudicious shot selection, a clear misunderstanding of when and when not to refer decisions and now madcap running. The return of Yousuf and the serenity and advice he can provide to the younger Akmal could yet see his talent flourish. Let's hope so, as the man himself is squandering his abilities at the moment.

Swann makes the ICC eat humble pie

Once again England were indebted to Graeme Swann for keeping them in contention in a test match. It only seems like yesterday that Swann made his bow in India, but the wicket of Yousuf gave him his 100th victim in only 23 tests - the same as Shane Warne. His continued quality showed up the ICC Cricketer of the Year longlist for the farce that it is. How Swann and Mohammad Asif (the leading wicket taker in tests during the qualification period) can be left out in favour of a fading Ricky Ponting, a misfiring Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris is beyond belief.

Player of the day

On any other day it would have been Azhar, but we opt for the returning Yousuf. Not only did he play himself back into form before demonstrating his immense class, but he guided and instructed Azhar to do the same. Pakistan's fragile batting line-up clearly needs Yousuf - they look a different side with him in the XI.

Zero of the day

It has to be Strauss, who had a dismal last hour. First he dropped a straightforward chance off Steve Finn to reprieve Asif when he had made only four and thus enabled the last wicket pair to stretch Pakistan's lead to a potentially crucial 75. Then he edged a ball from Mohammad Aamer that he didn't need to play at to first slip and extend his run of test matches without a hundred to 12.

What will happen on day three?

It isn't an exaggeration to state that it is a big day for Alastair Cook, who could be playing for his place. If Pakistan can get Cook and nightwatchman James Anderson early then an England defeat could be on the cards. Don't discount a typical back to the wall performance from Paul Collingwood though and Kevin Pietersen is due a big one. The key man for Pakistan could be Asif.

The Boundary View: England vs Pakistan, The Oval, Day One

England were given a taste of their own medicine as Pakistan's seamers bowled them out cheaply on the first day at The Oval. Here are our main talking points of the day:

A good toss to lose...

It seemed a straightforward decision for Andrew Strauss when he won the toss as players and pundits alike thought the pitch looked like a typical Oval belter. The overcast conditions certainly helped the bowlers, but it will be interesting to see how Pakistan fare on day two. Only then we will know how well Pakistan bowled or how badly England batted especially in the morning session. At this point, it doesn't look like a 233 wicket though.

The latest gem off the production line

Pakistan keep churning out excellent fast bowlers. Debutant Wahab Riaz was hostile, accurate and fast (touching 90 mph on several occasions) and had a dream first day in test cricket bagging a five for and snaring batsmen of the quality of Strauss, Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan and best of all Kevin Pietersen. If only Pakistan could unearth some young batsmen of the calibre of Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan. Then the world would fear Pakistan.

Catches win matches...

It may be an old cliche but it is certainly a true one. Kamran Akmal's travails at Trent Bridge handed England the initiative and eventually the match. But here Pakistan were sharp in the field and held their catches. Even Akmal managed to hold on to four catches. Finally, Pakistan's brilliant bowlers got the fielding they deserved.

...but there was a reminder of recent horror shows

It would seem that the returning Mohammad Yousuf wasn't recalled for his fielding. David Lloyd had just called him the weak link as far as Pakistan's fielding goes, which is a pretty dubious honour to have, when Yousuf dropped an absolute dolly to reprieve Matt Prior. For once, Pakistan didn't pay the price as Saeed Ajmal snared Steve Finn next ball to wrap up the innings and spare Yousuf's blushes.

The changing man

Matt Prior looked like a man under pressure earlier in the summer when Craig Kieswetter was breathing down his neck. But a loss of form for his adversary in the Nat West series against Australia and a lot of runs for Sussex seems to have got Prior back into the groove. We've been critical in the past that Prior never seemed to score runs when England really needed them. But today was the second time in the series that Prior has stepped up to the plate when England were in trouble. Craig who?

Ducks are like London buses...

...for James Anderson, or so it would seem. After successfully negotiating 54 test innings before bagging his first test duck at The Oval last summer, Anderson has now made another four in his last ten innings. Expect some Tweets from Graeme Swann on that one.

Player of the day

It has to be Wahab Riaz. Five wickets on your first day in test cricket is impressive stuff and he even managed to add some cream on top when he survived the last three balls of the day as nightwatchman. Easy, this test cricket lark eh Wahab?

Zero of the day

None of the England top order covered themselves in glory, but it has to be the hapless Alastair Cook who wins the booby prize. That is just 106 runs in eight test innings this summer for the vice-captain. He could be batting for his place in the second innings. With Ian Bell to come back into the side, Cook looks the most vulnerable. He also looks like he could do with a rest to work on his technical deficiencies and regain some confidence. If the selectors go down this route, one of Michael Carberry, Ravi Bopara or James Hildreth would come in at Lord's.

What will happen on day two?

England need a couple of early wickets and if overhead conditions are the same as they were on day one, expect this to happen especially with a nightwatchman at the crease. Can Stuart Broad repeat his day two heroics at the same ground last summer? The key man could well be Yousuf, who will be keen to ram another couple of helpings of humble pie down the throat of PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt.