Key events
14th over: England 45-3 (Pope 16, Brook 3) Brook is off the mark with a cute paddle for two down to fine leg. He then picks up a single to hog the strike. Noman is slowing it right down, allowing the ball to bite in the pitch. He’s perhaps bowling a touch too full though.
Russ Weedon has also contributed with a heroic intervention.
For all you overseas OBO followers:
https://www.youtube.com/live/vu72PJVMp3k?si=puwbtsADfCR0bqDE
13th over: England 41-3 (Root 15, Brook 0) Early success for Sajid who is a joy to watch. Root brings out the reverse sweeps. They look a little ungainly but he manages to get one away for two before working a single off the final ball off his legs. Pope will be spitting bile at the thought of his dismissal.
Zaph Mann is our hero, supplying the TMS overseas link.
Can someone confirm if this works:
https://www.youtube.com/live/vu72PJVMp3k
“Is it time for a reprise of the Stokes/Leach partnership?”
They’ll need something special from here, Matthew Doherty.
WICKET! Pope c&B Sajid 22 (England 37-3)
So soft from Pope! He lunges at a full ball and tries to drive it. I’m not really sure where he was attempting to hit it but the bat turned in his hand as he came down on the ball on an angle and it loops back to Sajid who takes a simple catch and celebrates in style.
12th over: England 37-2 (Pope 22, Root 12) Noman is full from through and around the crease. Pope presses forward and sort of prods at it as he defends. One’s landed a little shorter which gives it the opportunity to spin past the outside edge and lift off the seam. The final ball is over pitched and Pope can squeeze it through the covers for a single.
Noman Ali to open the day.
Ian Ward wonders what the odds are on a Popr unfurling a sweep to the first ball.
The players are getting ready to take the field.
Mike Atherton reminds us that this is effectively a ninth day pitch. Remember this is the same strip they used for the first Test, which is bonkers when you think about.
Jeremy Boyce is our first correspondent of the morning:
“Not sure what all the anxiety about the England innings is all about ? According to the latest Quantum Cricket theories (B McCullum/B Stokes) they will either be all out for under 50 (copyright 2024 India) or have this lot biffed off in time for a big lunch.”
Boom or bust. It’s a helluva way to play!
Anyone got the overseas link for TMS?
You’d be helping out a whole lotta folks if you do.
As any journo will tell you, it’s normally not a good sign when the team sends out a coach to handle the post-play media duties.
Is this a sign that England are rattled? Not sure. Either way, it was their assistant coach, Paul Collingwood, who fronted up last night and emphasised the “belief” in the camp that they can haul down this mighty target.
Some reading for all you early risers:
South Africa knock out Australia in the T20 World Cup – one of the great upsets of our time:
India are bundled our for 46 against New Zealand. The Black Caps are currently building a first innings lead past 150 in Bengaluru:
The ECB bans transgender women from competing in domestic cricket:
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
Ladies and gentleman, we have a game on our hands. Pakistan’s double strike in the gloom last night, where they knocked over both of England’s openers, has them on the front foot. But if Baz’s ballers have taught us anything it’s that we should never write them off.
England need a further 261 to win to go along with the 36 runs they already have on a pitch that’s starting to misbehave. That they only managed 221 all-out in the first dig puts the task in context.
This would be a record chase in Asia, eclipsing the 209-5 England achieved back in 1961 when an unbeaten 66 from captain Ted Dexter’s saw his team home in Lahore. Back then England were in a similar hole at 17-2, so in a way they’re ahead of the game!
Wishful thinking as far as the tourists are concerned, especially with the wonderfully moustachioed Sajid Khan waiting to cause chaos with his twirly off-spinners.
Whoever win it should be a treat and I’m excited to bring you all the action.
Get in touch if you’ve got something to say. I welcome all contributions.
First ball scheduled at 6am BST.
Bits and bobs til then.
