England in the UAE

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Fixtures

Mon Oct 5 - Tue Oct 6
England XI v Pakistan A
Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Thu Oct 8 - Fri Oct 9
England XI v Pakistan A
Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Tue Oct 13 - Sat Oct 17
1st Test - England v Pakistan
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Thu Oct 22 - Mon Oct 26
2nd Test - England v Pakistan
Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Sun Nov 1 - Thu Nov 5
3rd Test - England v Pakistan
Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Sun Nov 8 (50 ovs)
England XI v TBC
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Wed Nov 11
1st ODI - England v Pakistan
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Fri Nov 13
2nd ODI - England v Pakistan
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tue Nov 17
3rd ODI - England v Pakistan
Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Fri Nov 20 (
4th ODI - England v Pakistan
Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Mon Nov 23
England XI v United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Thu Nov 26
1st T20I - England v Pakistan
Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Fri Nov 27
2nd T20I - England v Pakistan
Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Mon Nov 30
3rd T20I - England v Pakistan
Sharjah Cricket Stadium



Squads

Test squad:
Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Zafar Ansari (Surrey), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, wk), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wk), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), Mark Wood (Durham).


ODI squad:
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, wk), Sam Billings (Kent, wk), Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wk), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), Reece Topley (Hampshire), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).


Twenty20 squad:
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Sam Billings (Kent, wk), Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wk), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Stephen Parry (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Reece Topley (Hampshire), James Vince (Hampshire), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

Probably can't, but you have a better chance of doing it on the last session with Shah than with Babar.

Not sure Buttler should have bothered referring that. Time wasted to no avail...

Blimey, that's a good few minutes taken off. 86 to get.

Root at three. Sensible. He's probably the best chance of getting these .

Stokes I'd be happy to see when they only need 20-30 at a good rate.

Duty281 wrote:Reverse-sweep by Buttler. Beautiful.

The England fans sound very p!ssed considering the lack of alcohol.

I believe there is a bar at the ground serving mildly alcoholic cocktails.

Malik bowling well to Moeen

England could really do with a couple of big overs now. Going quite well ; but you want to really put the pressure on the fielding team.

alfie wrote:Top effort from Rashid .  Suggests a lot more promise than days one and two

Dilly is a decent bowler and better than the figures from the first innings. I felt that in some quarters he was rather unfairly abused.

Should point out though that his second innings figures could lead people to over exaggerate his abilities.

Officially the last hour. Ironic ; but for the light issue , this would be a breeze.

And big floodlights everywhere ...

Moeen caught that pretty well - big boundary!

So difficult to go aerial on this pitch due to the, seemingly, massive boundaries.

Even with field restrictions, 70 runs in 25 minutes/six overs would be an ask. Think Pakistan are just about gonna get away with it

May Rashid could have worst bowling performance ever for a man of the match.

LondonTiger wrote:

alfie wrote:Top effort from Rashid .  Suggests a lot more promise than days one and two

Dilly is a decent bowler and better than the figures from the first innings. I felt that in some quarters he was rather unfairly abused.

Should point out though that his second innings figures could lead people to over exaggerate his abilities.

Agree with that.  We need to keep perspective - as we needed to after the first innings.  But it is definitely encouraging to see that , given conditions to suit , he can be a very dangerous bowler.  Certainly cements him for this series , had there been any doubt.

Moeen gone to a deep field catch.  Up to Stoke to strike a few blows now.

Knife edge.  Just trending a little away from England , I think - not enough boundaries.  Wouldn't say gone yet though. But need a few clean blows along with the singles.

Oops ...Stokes gone. Same as Moeen.  Draw now favourite.

kingraf wrote:Even with field restrictions, 70 runs in 25 minutes/six overs would be an ask. Think Pakistan are just about gonna get away with it

That coupled with the big boundaries - looks just out of reach

Luckily for England, it's Babar on the other side, not Shah. Otherwise we could seriously test out the assertion that no Test team can be bowled out in 15 overs

I like Babar though. Given the fact that he was essentially a last minute plug because all of Pakistan's spinners were getting locked away, he's done alright in Test cricket. Certainly speaks volumes about the talent reserves in Pakistani cricket that they can replace Ajmal with such adequate replacements.

Yeah the light will save them. Five per over , no problem. Ten per over , not likely.
Not sure leading with the big hitters was the best tactic , tbh. I'd have preferred to run them around early and unleash the six hitters later ...'cos they've all got out now and no monster overs ...

Reckon England will be about thirty light at the close.

Luckily for England, it's Babar on the other side, not Shah. Otherwise we could seriously test out the assertion that no Test team can be bowled out in 15 overs

I like Babar though. Given the fact that he was essentially a last minute plug because all of Pakistan's spinners were getting locked away, he's done alright in Test cricket. Certainly speaks volumes about the talent reserves in Pakistani cricket that they can replace Ajmal with such adequate replacements.

kingraf wrote:Luckily for England, it's Babar on the other side, not Shah. Otherwise we could seriously test out the assertion that no Test team can be bowled out in 15 overs

I like Babar though. Given the fact that he was essentially a last minute plug because all of Pakistan's spinners were getting locked away, he's done alright in Test cricket. Certainly speaks volumes about the talent reserves in Pakistani cricket that they can replace Ajmal with such adequate replacements.

Stirrer

Shah , Babar ... or Mandrake. Lose a couple too many and they block it out. Cook would love it.

Babar is OK . But I don't think he scares England.

Is this the over?

Smaller sixes please jonny!

No more sixes, Jonathan!

Looks like England will fall agonisingly short.

Big over !

Two more like that ?

Root dropped ! But Bairstow is stumped and maybe that's it...

Reckon they will still fall short : though there's a case to call this a "moral victory ".

Bell : can he be a hero ?

Bell keeps the bowling...

Send broad in he can whack it

Nearly at that "one big over" stage

Two more overs , I think. It is annoying that a batting team can be called off , unwillingly , in these circumstances. Personally I don't think they should be forced off unless it is really dark ; as the fielders are hardly in danger : none of them anywhere near the bat

But I know that's the rules. Stopped England at The Oval in 2013 too ; though I didn't mind that so much as Clarke's declaration had set it up. This sort of seems a little unfair : and I'd say that if the boot were on the other foot.

definitely a draw

And they've called it. Rats.

I repeat , I don't like this. But at least the last day has been a ripper.

Ah a shame, just too great an ask in the end. A heroic effort by England however 

Tremendous effort from England, they can be rather proud of their efforts.

Difficult to know where things stand in the series now. England have shown superb moral fortitude and courage, and have severely wounded the Pakistani batting-order, but the home side will get stronger, no matter how exhausted they might be.

Should be a very good two tests to come.

Good game in the end. Agree that it probably could have been played on, but the rules are quite clear. If you don't complain about light being called at 500/3 on day 4, because it's heading into a draw and you're glad the day is over, unfortunately, you've got to accept that same standard with 25 runs to go

Praise to the two Pakistan spinners : didn't get really collared.

Magnificent effort by England after conceding 523 , coming so close.

Four overs more and they're opening the champagne

Who's your MoTM ? Cook , Malik ...Rashid ?

kingraf wrote:Good game in the end. Agree that it probably could have been played on, but the rules are quite clear. If you don't complain about light being called at 500/3 on day 4, because it's heading into a draw and you're glad the day is over, unfortunately, you've got to accept that same standard with 25 runs to go

True. But even if you do complain about going off on day four , you're still forced off... I know the old system wasn't perfect. But I do prefer the aspect that the batsmen were offered a choice. Maybe it should be down to their acceptance or rejection of an offer at the first point in the match ? Instead of leaving it totally to the umpires.

Duty281 wrote:Tremendous effort from England, they can be rather proud of their efforts.

Difficult to know where things stand in the series now. England have shown superb moral fortitude and courage, and have severely wounded the Pakistani batting-order, but the home side will get stronger, no matter how exhausted they might be.

Should be a very good two tests to come.

Well on the one hand , England have lost the toss on a belter , and yet come back to dominate the latter stages and nearly snare a dramatic win. But against that , Pakistan should be able to strengthen their team for the next match ; unless Yasir is in more trouble than we think.

Morale/confidence v improvement ? Who knows ? Cook would love to see the coin come down the right way.

I don't actually like the old system, to be honest. it was pretty one eyed and light being offered was always basically the umpire asking the batsman "Do you think your team is winning or losing?". Not to mention the vivid memories I have of the Australian team rolling us out in Durban in complete darkness, with the floodlights on (despite this not being allowed). Far less farcical endings in the new system.

Wow - who would have predicted 4 days of tedium would have ended so spectacularly?

To hell with umpiring consistency! When 1 side is so close to getting a result they should make allowances, providing the light is even remotely adequate. Pakistan really ought to be penalised in some way for some pretty blatant time wasting (11 overs in an hour - really?).

Still, all credit to England for getting so close. A moral victory, if not an actual one.

Cook gets my vote for MOTM, for building the platform for England to have even a sniff of victory. the only Englishman to get over (or indeed near) 100.

Great bowling by Rashid today, but you have to wonder how much of that was down to Pakistan panicking after Misbah inexplicably got himself out.

I love Subcontinental press conferences. "Smart player of the match" Lolz

kingraf wrote:I don't actually like the old system, to be honest. it was pretty one eyed and light being offered was always basically the umpire asking the batsman "Do you think your team is winning or losing?". Not to mention the vivid memories I have of the Australian team rolling us out in Durban in complete darkness, with the floodlights on (despite this not being allowed). Far less farcical endings in the new system.  

Yes I do appreciate the problems with the old system. But if the light reading was taken on the first occasion the light offer was accepted by the batsmen I think you'd perhaps have a more flexible set of options : I doubt England would have come off last night .
True it advantages the team that is "winning" - or thinks it is. But is that so bad ? Shouldn't making the pace earn some privileges ; at a risk ?

Not too steamed , tbh. But I do feel a little cheated of a finish. Perhaps I'd feel different were I a Pakistan supporter.

The old system made much more sense, it's a farce going off when there is no risk to the batsmen and they're happy to continue, the bowling team shouldn't come into it unless it is really dark.

Been travelling nearly all day and so didn't see a ball. Can't therefore say how well Rashid bowled second dig but I applaud his temperament in responding to his first innings mauling with a fivefer.

Can't claim to have foreseen such a tense / maddening finish but did feel some were too quick to write off this match. You really need to let a Test run its course before making such a judgement.

From what I did watch and a scan of the scorecard, Cook definitely my MotM.

Thought Rashid bowled very well Guildford, was getting great drift as he got into his spell and managed to extract turn from the pitch. The odd bad ball but that'll always be there. Encouraging performance.

Also massive fan of Imran Khan the number 11 fir Pakistan who has now played 6 tests and is still yet to score a run with the bat. Exceptional ineptitude

When we were at the England spinner discussion on day 1, I did make the point that when you have to choose between a useful attacking spinner and a holding up spinner, you should go for the former particulary if you have 4 seamers. Don't think a Holde Upper would have gone through the Pak lower order the way Rashid did today. Have really been hoping Rashid would be given a proper run, and after a disappointing first innings, he finishes with a debut 5for. He doesn't have Anil Kumble's control and he isn't England's Shane Warne, but he's the best that they've got, hope he'll be managed well and helped in his course.......
And as they don't produce/pick half-decent test openers any more, keep Ali at the top, give him a good solid run, think he's likely to come good....... In that case, even his bowling can be channelized pretty well.

This test reminded me of an earlier series South Africa played in the UAE. The pitches were mostly horrendous roads then....... Hopefully they'll have a lovely turner for the next one and hopefully Yasir Shah will be back for Pakistan. Babar, your quintessential Hold Upper, is good at his job, but he just doesn't possess Yasir's attacking abilities thay really undid the Lankans recently. And he's a lot mature than Rashid as a leg spinner and has got greater control as well. A leg spinner will serve up the bad ball from time to time, but Yasir has his skills polished as he played a lot of domestic cricket before coming into internationals and got to play against Pakistan batsman who now are the best players of spin in the world.

The Pakistani batsmen didn't actually play the England spinners too well in the second innings...

I presume Yasir will be back for the second Test , though there isn't a long break.

What changes do people EXPECT England to make to their lineup for T2?


(Note not what you think they should do).

For me only player who may drop out, based mainly on his inability to string together back to back tests, would be Mark Wood.

I would put taylor in instead of bell or bairstow. However, i suspect that unless there is a forced change due to injury the team will remain unchanged.

Taylor instead of Wood , we don't need four seamers in these conditions.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Taylor instead of Wood , we don't need four seamers in these conditions.

Given the heat, surely we do need four seamers. Given that there are runs there for those who bat sensibly, an England 8/9/10 of Buttler, Rashid and Broad looks an over-defensive selection to me. Maybe if we were actually one nil up with two to play?

On the result yesterday, I blame neither Pakistan (which country wouldn't have done exactly the same under the same circumstances?), nor the umpires (whose decisions on the light were consistent between days 4 and 5). However, I'd like to see tours planned so that there is scope for a 6th day of a Test Match, but with a maximum of one more complete session, ie 30 overs minimum if, in the opinion of the umpires, a positive result could be achieved by that. A further session shouldn't tax players' energy/fitness unduly and would banish the ludicrous anachronism of a 5-day contest ending just short of a positive result for want of a little more time or daylight. And, yes, I would be saying just the same thing if the countries' positions had been reversed yesterday.

Disagree with an extra day Simon.

Would however like to see them start earlier the following day when all overs not completed. Despite all the overs from spinners, not one day saw the full complement bowled - even with the extra 30 minutes.

In the end, allowing 6 overs for change of innings, we were short by 17 overs short of the full allotment.