The UNPREDICTABLE Pakistan or The EXPOSED England!


     Pakistan Cricket Team - the unpredictable  - win an other thriller against World's #1 (in ranking charts) by 72 runs. What an awesome win of PCT! I believe, it's one of the best test wins of  Pakistan's cricket history. The decision of captain Misbah proved right as in 4th innings of the match, Pakistan bowled out England for the tiny total of 72 runs courtesy match winning performance of Rehman, Ajmal & Hafeez. England's world class batting line looked paralyse in the answer of excellent bowling of PCT's spin trio. Rehman - the unsung hero - named MOTM for his 6 wickets in the second innings.
    PCT is a side, famous for its unpredictability. They lost the matches in recent past, which were in their hands, e.g; lose against Australia in Sydney, CWC 2011's semifinal etc.. People started unloving them 'cause of their this loosening up attitude. But, now, PCT is on the other extreme of this phenomenon. They have started winning from NOWHERE. When people start to lose hope, they start to write new records. Pakistan's win over SA in Abu Dhabi courtesy Abdul-Razzaq's rapid, timely ton, snatching the win from the mouth of SL last year in UAE, when Shahid Afridi took 5 wickets, and made PCT to win handsomely, etc.. Now, Pakistanis are showing their positive unpredictability - the killer instinct - in the premium version of  THE GENTLEMEN's GAME. Pakistan's captain - Misbah ul Haq - won the toss and took a strange decision to put his troops in for batting when the past record was not good for the team batting 1st. However, the game started, and Pakistan lost their top 4 batters for just 104 runs. Then, captain and the youngster - Asad Shafiq - gathered 100 runs for 5th wicket partnership. After Asad's departure, none of the batsmen could do reasonably good, and Pakistan were all out for 257 courtesy of Broad's 4 & Swann's 3 wickets. Misbah was the leading scorer of the innings with 84 off 227 balls.

Asad - after getting dismissed on  58.

      England made 327 with the help of Cook's 94 and Broad's 58, and took a handsome lead of 70 runs over Pakistan's 1st innings score. From here, it was obvious that the visitors were in the driving seat. They did well with the ball in 2nd innings too, and managed to bowl out Pakistan for 214. In this innings, again top order's performance was nil, but thee courageous youth of PCT showed their mettle as Azhar Ali scored crucial 68, and Asad supported him with his 43 runs. From the visiting side, this time, Panesar was the pick of the bowlers, as he registered his 6-wicket haul. Now, England had to chase the total of merely 145 runs to level the series.

Broad surviving a run out chance to complete his 50.

      The English openers came on the crease with the full confidence that they would win easily. The innings started and PCT introduced Hafeez with the new ball. It was surprising for both openers, as they both don't have a good reputation against spin. England took their score to 21 with no loss in the 15th over. Hafeez took Cook's valuable wicket in the form of caught & bowled. Then, the collapse started, and Pakistan put the TURBO on, and applied full pressure on struggling English batsmen. Bell & KP also got out soon and the scoreboard showed a beautiful 33/3 (England's score). Pakistan kept on bowling with Rehman and Ajaml, and bowled out World's #1 for 72 runs. The loud sounds were coming from every corner of lucky stadium for Pakistan. PCT enjoyed the win like Excited Eagles. Excellent figures from Pakistan: Rehman got 6 wicket haul, Ajmal picked 3 & Hafeez 1 wicket. The Trio showed  the world that the matches can be won by spin bowling. English batsmen just failed to handle the pressure of fabulous spin bowling, and their weakness against spin bowling EXPOSED once again. This shows that they are also the lions of their own backyards only, like India.

PCT - enjoying the great victory.

      Pakistan should keep their tail up, and go for the kill. They should perform at their best in the 3rd and final test match too of this nail-biting series to register a historic 3-0 win. There is also a question mark on England's #1 position. There are too many problems in their batting. They are continuously collapsing against quality spin. World's #1 teams don't do like this.
     Hope, we will get some quality cricket in the 3rd test match too.

Pictures & Stats: Courtest ESPNCricinfo.com