Pakistan v England - 2nd ODI

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Discussion thread for today's ODI. Can England go 2-0 up to ensure at least a draw from this series, or will Pakistan make it all square?

Although Cook and Bopara batted well, I think England has been too conservative in their approach, particularly during the last few overs. Its unlikely Pakistan would collapse yet again, even if the unlikely happens, this way of playing ODI cricket won't take England too far against good sides.
Finn's the key again, if his pace nippes out a couple of early wickets, Pakistan could be under pressure, but a decent from Pakistan, then England can forget this, and they can't blaim the bowlers too much for that if it happens.
Hopes England bowling comes good again though.

Cheers MSP, knew we could count on you against Pakistan

I think England have sold themselves a little short, but whether it is still enough - we are about to find out.

England have started pretty well here, bowling good lines and lengths and the ball's nipping around a bit.

You have to say that Pakistan need an opening partnership over 50 really to have a chance of chasing this down. Have to say that Cook and Pietersen have had 2 50+ in the ODI's thus far. Not as solid as I would like, but solid enough.

Anderson a bit too straight in that over and Fahrat cashes in, Patel managing to make Monty look like an athletic fielder as he chases one.

oh doh!!

is 250 gonna be enough- really, we only used by 4 wickets! not using our resources again!!

Well I'm impressed that both Cook and Bopara have posted similar scores to their previous ODI match, and there hasn't been any batting collapses. Considering how these pitches have behaved in the test matches 250 seems to be a defendable score - so there must be a real chance that England could go 2 zero up in the series, and who would have thought England would find themselves in this position before this ODI series started.

Hmmm looking over peoples comments I see that KP is still in Ajmal's pocket.

another good innings from ravi!

2 50's in a row, keep the critics off his back for a short while

Finn keeping things tight here, we could do with a breakthrough, though.

Nore Staat wrote:Well I'm impressed that both Cook and Bopara have posted similar scores to their previous ODI match, and there hasn't been any batting collapses. Considering how these pitches have behaved in the test matches 250 seems to be a defendable score - so there must be a real chance that England could go 2 zero up in the series, and who would have thought England would find themselves in this position before this ODI series started.

in all honesty it is becoming quite a habbit for the test victors to go on and smash the odi series up!

personally i think the shorter formats should be played first.

yet again finny bowling brillantly

Broad still not quite into his groove yet, and this is a decent start for Pakistan. Patel still looks like he's running through treacle...

England need a wicket soon, where is it going to come from?

go swanny!!

boooo

50 run opening stand for Pakistan, they seemed to have learned the lessons from the last match.

Pakistan seem to be going quite well at the moment, England taking a power play.

Swanny and Broad rather expensive to start with. May be England should experiment a bit with Samit Patel's slow left-armers

Anderson strikes! Hafeez plays around his front pad and just chips it straight to mid-wicket. Soft dismissal but England will take it!

Its Anderson for England!. Hafeez gone!.

And as i wrote that Hafeez is out, clipping Anderson to mid wicket for 26.

Damn you Hafeez - why do you always give your bloody wicket away

Farhat and Azhar looking to be positive. England has to keep the powerplay tight

Not doing to bad in the powerplay, Good over from Patel, Anderson just got hit for 4, but other than that tidy bowling. 76 - 1 after 18 overs.

Kieswetter drops one, elected to go goalkeeper style but seemed to misjudge it and went too far. Broad not amused.

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

doesn't matter though, Broad runs him out next over. Farhat just wandering aimlessly down the pitch there with no idea of where the ball had gone, Broad picks it up and doesn't miss from about 5 yards.

Farhat run out by Broad for 47, both wickets needlessly given away by Pakistan when the players concerned where going well.

That was terrific presence of mind from Broad, but absolutely terrible from Imran Farhat!.

102- for two - think england might want to tunr the screws on a little to force some more errors. 23.4 overs. creeping up towards run a ball too

Samits got Younus lbw! Not reviewed and thats a key wicket!

Younis out LBW to Patel for 5.

England starting to get on top here

eirebilly wrote:England starting to get on top here

I missed you the other day eirbilly - work your magic here please

With Younis gone, at halfway stage its advantage England, but not by much. This partnership is going to be crucial. As they have Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi to come in, Misbah and Azhar can take a bit of time, but then Afridi and Akmal can't be expected to score a lot, although they can score real quick. So if these 2 stay together for the next 12-15 overs Pakistan should take it, another wicket soon, it will not be easy to stop England!.

I will give it my best shah

How did Bops bat today? Has he done enough to stake his claim over Morgan?

RRR is up to 6.1 now, with 135 needed. Swann and Patel bowling quite nicely. Misbah and Azhar seem in two minds whether to stick or twist.

Not too shabbily actually - supported Cook - who was a little more cautious but did a fantastic job - morgan was beginning to settle in so might want to give him another shot in the next.

I saw Morgan got 25no? Not a bad effort from him then.

eirebilly wrote:I will give it my best shah

How did Bops bat today? Has he done enough to stake his claim over Morgan?

Ravi played nicely Billy. Played fluently, picked the gaps. Perhaps could have been a bit more aggressive at the end put Ajmal and Cheema bowled very well at the death. It will be very tight between him and Morgan for that last spot i think.

eirebilly wrote:
How did Bops bat today? Has he done enough to stake his claim over Morgan?

I thought he did ok, but struggled to up the pace towards the end (of course, so did Morgan, but Bopara was supposedly the "in" player, and Morgan was clearly struggling with his timing for the first half of his innings, so it was really Bopara's job to start accelerating and Morgan's to nudge around for 1s).

As to the second part, I assume you mean in tests? Possibly. Personally I'd stick with Morgan if he regains some form in this series. If you think Bopara could/should ever replace Morgan in the ODI side I think you are somewhat deluded.

As a general point, how costly do we think Samit Patel's fielding is? Is it because we notice him more, but honestly that's at least 5 runs I think a more athletic player would have saved.

So with 20 overs left, Pakistan are 126 - 3. This game is fantastically poised, if England get another wicket or two in next 5 overs think England will win. If these 2 stay in getting the 1/2 runs they are i fancy Pakistan. What ever think we're in for a very good end to the game

Azhar bowled by Patel for 31.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH

To be fair to Patel, on these types of pitches he bowls at just the right pace (i.e. flat) and will probably cause more problems than Swann (similarly to Panesar in the tests).

samit patel has bowled very well yet again

PP could be key here, Umar Akmal showing his intent early on...

Thanks for the descriptions Mike and pack.

Not a fan of Bopara but as long as he is doing the job then full power to him