Match facts

October 13-17, 2015
Start time 10am local (0600 GMT)

Big Picture

In January 2012, England travelled to play Pakistan as the No. 1 Test nation in the world, armed with what they believed was as well balanced a team as they could muster to compete in the heat of the United Arab Emirates. They had grinders and flair players in their batting ranks, a stable of impressive and varied quicks and, in Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, a spin duo to rival any that the game could then offer.And yet, the Test squad departed, little more than a month later, wiser and humbler for the experience. They created opportunities to compete throughout the series, particularly in the second and third Tests, but ended up losing all three matches, thanks largely to the wiles of Saeed Ajmal. His flight, guile and movement both ways chained a tentative line-up to their creases and, with DRS offering little respite to anyone using their pads as a second line of defence, England accumulated the lion’s share of a world record-equalling 43 lbws in the series.Three-and-a-half years later, there’s no Ajmal – the ICC’s biomechanists have seen to that – but there’s little expectation either. For all that they travel as Ashes winners, the erratic nature of England’s recent record (see below) coupled with Pakistan’s formidable record in their home-from-home means that a stern lesson in desert warfare is most likely on the cards this time around.James Anderson, the leader of a seam attack that could hardly have done more to keep England competitive in the 2012 series, has warned of the need to eliminate looseners in the ferocious temperatures. Short spells on flat tracks with a dog-eared Kookaburra ball, against a Pakistan line-up adept at exhausting their opponents through crease occupation before flogging their bowlers with often stunning injections of tempo (see Misbah-ul-Haq’s 56-ball century against Australia last year). It’s not going to be a challenge for faint hearts.

Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan WLWWD
England LWWLW

In the spotlight

Opinion is divided as to the wisdom of promoting a spin-bowling No. 8 to open the batting in a Test match, but where England’s selection in the past has tended towards the dogmatic, the unique challenges of the UAE have encouraged Trevor Bayliss and his think-tank to embrace the pragmatic this time around. And so it is that Moeen Ali, a luxury presence during the Ashes, has been handed the ultimate uber-promotion.Quite how he’ll cope if required to bowl 40 overs in 50-degree heat then strap on his pads minutes later is anyone’s guess, but suffice to say he’ll take it all in his phlegmatic stride. Besides, with the ball likely to ping off the bat for ten overs at the start of each innings before sinking to shin height thereafter, an injection of his insouciant strokeplay could be just what England need to set the tempo of each innings. Moeen is also the one batsman who is sure to keep using his feet when the spinners come into play. Given the manner in which they capitulated on the last UAE tour, leading out with such positive intent might not be the worst idea of all time.For whatever reason (and it possibly relates to a certain misplaced stroke in the World Twenty20 final in 2007) Misbah will never succeed in winning over all of his detractors. But, as is often the case with sportsmen whom the public love to hate, they’ll miss him when he’s gone and, at the age of 41, he’s already dropped a hint that this series could be his swansong. And where better to kick things off than in Abu Dhabi, where his record of five hundreds at 120.57 in seven Tests borders on the preposterous? Three of those came in his last two appearances at the ground, against New Zealand and Australia in November 2014, when he capped the rare achievement of two hundreds in the same Test against the Aussies by equalling Viv Richards’ record for the fastest hundred of all time.Moeen Ali and Ian Bell pad up for batting practice•AFP

Team news

With Moeen seeing off the challenge of Alex Hales to become Alastair Cook’s latest opening partner, the path is cleared in the middle-order for a new spin-bowling No. 8. Adil Rashid’s arrival in Test cricket has been some six years in the making but there could be few more tailor-made situations for a debutant legspinner to bed into the side.Rashid takes his place in a rarely seen six-man attack and does so in the knowledge that his ability to produce late-order runs will be every bit as vital to the cause as a three-wicket burst to lop off Pakistan’s tail. The pressure will be on but, equally, he’ll never have a better chance to play his natural game in the knowledge that his team-mates are on hand if the ball doesn’t quite come out right.Steven Finn’s foot injury has shelved the one remaining debate about the balance of England’s attack. Though the man himself disputes that he counts as a genuine 90mph bowler, Finn’s rare ability to extract lift in all conditions made him a genuine contender for selection, as his four-wicket haul in the second warm-up confirmed. Instead, Mark Wood’s reverse-swinging allsorts will complete the sextet.The only remaining issue, and one that Cook chose not to clarify, is the identity of England’s wicketkeeper. Jos Buttler’s form tailed off alarmingly during the Ashes and his technique against spin remains a cause for concern. Jonny Bairstow could augment his selection by taking over behind the stumps, which would in turn create a vacancy at No. 5 for the in-form James Taylor.England (possible) 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Moeen Ali, 3 Ian Bell, 4 Joe Root, 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Jos Buttler (wk), 8 Adil Rashid, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Mark Wood, 11 James AndersonTwo significant injuries have hampered Pakistan’s build-up. Azhar Ali, whose century in the second innings at Dubai in 2012 was instrumental in sealing the whitewash, had already been ruled out of the first Test with an infected toe. And now Yasir Shah, whose legspin has reaped 61 wickets in ten Tests, has succumbed to a back spasm after snagging his spikes in the nets. A decision on his fitness will be taken in the morning, but his emergence has been one of the key reasons why Ajmal’s mystery has not been missed since his run-in with the police.Two remarkable comebacks are also on the cards. Shoaib Malik has not played a Test for Pakistan since their defeat at Edgbaston on the infamous 2010 tour of England. However, Azhar’s absence, coupled with a likely need for auxiliary spin options, means his return is all but guaranteed. An average of 33.45 from 32 Tests is little to write home about, but Shoaib seized his chance after being recalled to the ODI squad, and has averaged exactly 100 in 11 matches in 2015.Fawad Alam has been on the outside looking in for even longer than that. His century on debut against Sri Lanka in 2009 was followed by two more Tests and six years of exile. His return to the squad is the first step towards a second coming. With Misbah and Younis nearing the end of their illustrious careers, further opportunities for veteran batsmen may materialise in the coming months.Pakistan (possible) 1 Shan Masood, 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Shoaib Malik, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Yasir Shah/Imran Khan, 10 Zulfiqar Babar, 11 Rahat Ali

Pitch and conditions

As the ‘s Poula Fisch might put it, “meteorologicos mañana … scorchio!” Which is to say it will be hot. As for the pitch itself, the prospect is of a decent batting track with maybe a touch of life for the quick bowlers on the first morning of the match. Thereafter, the spinners will doubtless come to the fore as the seamers rotate in short and sharp bursts.

Stats and trivia

• Pakistan are undefeated in the seven Tests played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi since its inauguration in November 2010. Of those they have won four and drawn three.
• Younis Khan, with 8814 Test runs to his name, needs another 19 to overhaul Javed Miandad’s all-time Pakistan record of 8832. Inzamam-ul-Haq nearly broke it in 2007 but fell three runs short.
• England are likely to pick six frontline bowlers for the first time in a Test since February 1978, when Bob Willis, Mike Hendrick, Chris Old, Phil Edmonds, Ian Botham and Geoff Miller all played at Wellington against New Zealand. Ironically, Miller batted at No. 3 and did not bowl.

Quotes

“Moeen Ali has done well against teams who play spin well, he did well against India who play spin well so you need to be focused. We know they are good bowlers and we have to respect them.”
Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s captain, is counting no chickens ahead of the first Test“When you’re forced to play a little bit positively, you can put the pressure back on the opposition. That’s the way we want to play – it’s not going to be crash, bang, wallop like it was in the summer, because of the natural pace of the game.”

ScorecardFile photo: Ankit Bawne and Maharashtra will hope for as little rain as possible on the final day in Gahunje•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Opener Swapnil Gugale’s 91 on yet another rain-curtailed day has put Maharashtra on course to take a first-innings lead and start their season with three points against Haryana. Play was stopped in Gahunje just before tea on the penultimate day with hosts Maharashtra 256 for 3, only 79 runs behind Haryana’s first innings total of 335.Claiming the lead might not be quite so straightforward with heavier rain predicted on the final day. The unbeaten batsmen Kedar Jadhav and Ankit Bawne, were quite aggressive during their 76-run partnership, and would be hoping for at least an hour’s play tomorrow to push Maharashtra ahead.The day, however, clearly belonged to Gugale. He had debuted in 2010-11, got a duck and did not play the rest of the season. After a few years in the wilderness, he broke through in 2014-15 with 596 runs at 54.18, including a century in the semi-final against Tamil Nadu. He had come in midway through the season and ended up with the highest average.Gugale began cautiously today, taking his time to gauge the pace and adjusting to the lesser bounce on the pitch. He saw off the pace of Ashish Hooda, the standout bowler for Haryana, before getting into gear with some lovely drives.Jayant Yadav, on a high after impressing for India A against the touring Bangladeshis last week, was introduced after drinks but Gugale didn’t let him settle. He laced a four through cover and followed it up with a paddle sweep to the fine leg boundary. Next over, he charged down the wicket and struck medium-pacer Sachin Rana over his head and into the sight screen. Gugale completed the assault by hoicking Yadav into the stands beyond long-on just before lunch.Gugale had scored 174 against Delhi last season and memories of that knock may have come up for Virender Sehwag, now leading Haryana. But, Hooda was eventually rewarded for his discipline as Gugale edged one to keeper Nitin Saini just after entering into the nineties.Gugale was glad to have started the season with a good knock which wiil give him “enough confidence to avoid second-season blues.” but was disappointed to have missed out on a three-figure mark.”A hundred is, after all, a hundred,” he said after the day’s play was called off ten minutes before scheduled close. “It would have been better to leave home for four consecutive away games with a hundred at home but it wasn’t to be. Hopefully I can make amends in the coming games.”

Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan allrounder and former captain, has announced that the current Test match against England at Sharjah will be his last.In a shock announcement at the close of the third day’s play, an emotional Malik, 33, said that the “time was right” to move on, only three matches after his five-year exile from the Test team had come to an end.His decision came out of blue as he arrived at the end-of-day press conference with a piece of paper in his hand. The team’s assistant manager informed the media that, before taking questions, “Shoaib want to say something”.His team-mates were also caught unawares. Mohammad Hafeez, talking to the host broadcaster outside the team dressing-room, was shocked when asked to give his reaction and Mushtaq Ahmed, Pakistan’s spin bowling coach, was also taken by surprise.”I am taking retirement from Test cricket and this is my last Test,” Malik said in his statement. “I would like to thank my family, cricket board, my team-mates and my supporting staff as they have supported me all the way along. I think it’s the right time to quit this format and I want to focus on the upcoming 2019 World Cup.”Shoaib Malik marked his Test comeback with his highest score of 245•Getty Images

Malik made a dramatic return to the fray in the first Test at Abu Dhabi last month. Called in to the team as a late replacement for the injured Azhar Ali, he made a career-best 245 in his first appearance since the Edgbaston Test against England in 2010.However, his scores have fallen away since then, with scores of 0, 2, 7, 38 and 0 in his next five innings, the latest duck coming on Tuesday as he was trapped lbw first-ball by a big inswinger from James Anderson.Malik has played his part with the ball in this match in particular. He returned his best Test figures of 4 for 33 in 9.5 overs as England were bowled out for 306 in their first innings.At the age of 33, and having earned his recall to the Test team on the strength of his recent one-day performances, Malik’s one remaining ambition is to earn selection for the 2019 World Cup in England.His only previous experience of the tournament came way back in 2007, when he made one half-century in three appearances in Jamaica as Pakistan were eliminated at the group stages following defeats against Ireland and West Indies.”Cricket is my passion, has always been, and I might keep on playing first-class cricket, but the main reasons I am retiring are because of my family, and to allow youngsters [in the Test team] to be groomed.”Now is the time, amid the settled line-up, we can easily fit them in without any hitch. Since I haven’t played many 50-overs World Cups, I want to play [in England] and I am looking ahead to get ready by quitting Test cricket so I can save my energy.”Malik’s first stint in the Pakistan team included 32 Tests between 2001 and 2010, in which time he may never have been a consistent selection but was nevertheless named as captain across all formats in 2007, including three Tests against South Africa and India in October and November that year.However, he was sacked as captain in 2009 with Younis Khan taking over. He returned to domestic cricket and scored 799 runs at 88.77, including four hundreds, in six matches, making him the second-highest run-getter in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division One season.However, he faded away from the international scene following the controversial tour of England the following summer, in the wake of which the PCB launched an integrity inquiry. Though Malik was subsequently cleared by the board, he was nevertheless omitted from the squad for the 2011 World Cup.”I am disappointed that I didn’t play Test cricket in the last five years and those were the years I wanted to play,” he said. “But that is part of life and you move on. Now I can see many youngsters knocking at the door and it’s the best time to allow them to get adjusted.”Malik has scored 1898 runs at 35.14, including three hundreds, in 35 Test appearances, to go with 29 wickets at 51.48 with his offspin.”It was tough to take a call as I could have played for another two years,” he said. “But Test cricket is probably the toughest format, and we have a settled line-up.”Representing Pakistan is a biggest honour but I have been thinking about [retirement] for a while. It was somewhere in my mind even before the double hundred [in Abu Dhabi] but, at the moment, my satisfaction is to walk away from this format. My fitness is fine but I think we have to step aside to allow youngsters to take over.”

By the end of the second day in this County Championship match atCanterbury, the scoreboard shows that Kent trails Derbyshire by as few as216 runs with six first innings wickets still at its disposal. Happily forthe visitors, though, it fails to express how admirably they have fought toseize a definitive upper hand by the game’s halfway point.With their ranks as stretched as they are for this battle, the visitorswill undoubtedly derive particular pleasure from their effort inextendingtheir first innings tally to a final mark of 279 upon the match’sresumption today. Notwithstanding the notion that only four of theirplayers ventured past a score of 13, this was an innings built not onlyaround steady accumulation but also collective hard work, a quality whichhas generally eluded the team this season. By its completion, the onlyhint of a sour note to emerge was that, in taking more than one and a halfdays to get there, they seemed to have limited their chances of gaining themass of points they need from this fixture to set about the task ofaverting Division One relegation.For batting highlights, much of the responsibility was left to MatthewDowman. His 77, an innings which stands out as his most encouraging in asummer in which he has so far struggled to adjust to the demands of playingfor a new county, featured an array of well composed drives. While his ownunflinching patience tested that of the spectators, Simon Lacey (41) alsoproved a handy foil, sharing with the dogged Dowman in a valuable stand of68 for the seventh wicket.To then make matters more frustrating for the local crowd, they were forcedto watch on helplessly as their team was brilliantly undone by an exemplaryspell of seam bowling from Kevin Dean (4/17). It was Dean’s influencewhich took the edge off Kent’s reply and laid the platform for his team toassume almost complete command of of proceedings. On the road to recoveryafter a string of back and hip injuries, the left armer took a little timeto warm to the task but, on finding his rhythm, produced a devastating tenover spell to dispense with David Fulton (16), Rahul Dravid (2), Ed Smith(2) and Matthew Walker (0) in eerily quick succession.

Despite being made to work hard for their wickets Notts duly completed their first championship win at Trent Bridge this year when they dismissed Glamorgan for 246 in their second innings and knocked off the required 63 to win by seven wickets.The victory earns them 19 points and revives their promotion prospects. Another win at Bristol next week against Gloucs would surely be enough to lift the side into the First Division next season.Having enforced the follow-on and taken 3 second innings wickets on Day 2 Notts have may expected to roll over the Welsh county when play began but stubborn resistance from Adrian Dale, Ian Thomas, Steve James and Keith Newell ensured that at lunch Glamorgan had every hope of making Notts bat again, as they were just 60 behind.The first wicket to fall in the afternoon session was that of Adrian Dale who had batted watchfully throughout the morning to reach 41. Feeding on a shortish delivery wide of his off stump Dale slashed to gully where Chris Hewison took his second stunning catch of the day. Diving full length to his right he showed great athleticism to pull off the dismissal and pick up his 5th catch in his debut match.England Under 19 wicketkeeper Mark Wallace joined Keith Newell and the pair put on a rapid 46 for the 7th wicket, with both batsmen eager to push for quick singles.Paul Franks returned to the attack and with Glamorgan just 7 away from making Notts go in again he broke the partnership. Newell, who’d made 35, couldn’t get forward to a well pitched-up delivery and umpire Alan Whitehead gave the lbw verdict in favour of the bowler, who’d claimed his 5th victim.Alex Wharf had left the Trent Bridge staff a year ago and was heard to be singing wryly “It’s good to be back” (a la Gary Glitter!) the previous evening, with his side in desperate trouble. He did nothing to help their cause on the 3rd day, trapped for 0 in his crease by AJ Harris to complete a pair. The batsman clearly thought that the first impact had been ball on bat but umpire Nigel Cowley took an alternative point of view.Darren Thomas again emerged with a runner and slashed Franks square to take his side past 184 and ensure that Notts would have to bat a second time. With a lead of 11 Thomas tried to hook Franks and skied the ball for an easy catch to Darren Bicknell on the offside.Last man Steve Watkin more than justified his presence at the wicket – not only did he remain long enough for Wallace to complete his half century but he helped himself to 28 as the last wicket put on 51 before Watkin pulled Reiffel to Guy Welton at square-leg.Reiffel, in what is almost certainly his last Championship game at Trent Bridge, had taken the final wicket but the bowling honours had definitely gone to Paul Franks who finished with 6-59.Needing 63 for victory Notts were soon in trouble as Steve Watkin demonstrated what a quality bowler he is. In his first fiver overs he nipped out both openers. Welton was caught behind for just 4 for the second time in the match and Bicknell was also taken by `keeper Wallace for 3.With thoughts of an embarrassing collapse increasing Notts lost another wicket to the Watkin/Wallace combination when Chris Hewison was taken via an inside edge. Watkin’s figures read 3-12 as the home side struggled on 28-3.A quick flurry of runs from the bat of Usman Afzaal would have calmed the home dressing room as he and skipper Jason Gallian, who had enjoyed a fine match throughout, saw Notts home without further loss.

North West bowled out the reigning Supersport Series Champions the HighveldStrikers for 224 on the first day of their four-day match in Potchefstroomon Friday.West Indian Mark Lavine was the key figure as he took six for 55 to reducethe visitors to a very average score. It was his best return in first classcricket. At stumps the hosts were six without loss.Lavine bowled with aggression, pace and bounce which rattled the Highveldtop order as the side slumped to 33 for four.Nic Pothas and West Indian Otis Gibson managed to make amends and put on anentertaining 84 for the six wicket at a run a ball.Gibson’s swashbuckling style could not last however and he was dismissed byLavine trying to slog one too many it left Pothas to keep the inningstogether. He tried manfully but with the arrival of the tail, Pothas decidedto attack when circumspection might have been better.Pothas fell agonisingly short of his century when he was caught by AndrewLawson off the bowling of Lavine for 93. Once he was back in the pavilionthe end was near for the Highveld innings. Lavine duly wrapped it up withhis sixth wicket which surpassed his previous best of five for 44 againstFree State.

Australia duly completed their expected CricInfo Women’s World Cup victory over Ireland at Hagley Oval today, the 10-wicket margin as comprehensive on the field as it was on paper.Ireland followed the pattern of their first match against New Zealand. They won the toss, chose bravely to bat first on a pitch with a definite tinge of green, produced one reasonable partnership but, as in their first match, failed to get out of the nervous nineties. Catherine O’Neill (28) and Caitriona Beggs (18) provided stubborn resistance in the middle of the innings but they were never able to get on top of the Australians.Sixteen runs from wides did give the Australian coach, John Harmer, a matter to address at the team review of the match. But he was happy with their fielding performance in trying conditions with a wintery southerly battering the ground for much of the match.The veteran Zoe Goss was the standout bowler, her four for 10 off 9.3 overs deservedly winning her the CricInfo Player of the Match award.Ireland were treated to the disconcerting experience of the hero of the Australian win over New Zealand, Theresa McGregor, completing her first five overs of pace before resuming later in the innings to put her leg-spin skills into practice. Both variations were effective, the women’s version of the Australian medium pacer/off spinner, Colin Miller, going for just 14 off her mixed 10 with her wicket coming off her longer run-up. That was courtesy of an exceptional Karen Rolton reflex catch at silly mid off to remove a driving Karen Young after the Ireland opening pair of Young and Anne Linehan had looked comfortable enough for the first seven overs.The target of 91 was never going to challenge the Australians. But Harmer was very pleased with the way his openers went about the task. Belinda Clark and Lisa Keightley “did the job they had to do,” passing the mark in the 21st over and just failing to manufacture a half century for Keightley, who was left 49 not out.Hames said Clark was keen to get runs and would be happy with her unbeaten 40 after going cheaply in their first two matches.Reflecting a willingness of all teams to battle to the end, coaches in this competition have not been slow in praising the losers, no matter how well beaten. Harmer was no exception. Noting that Ireland had worked hard, he said: “They’ll have a couple of good days before the tournament is out.”That is a warning for some of the second tier teams. The Ireland coach, John Wills, said that, with the learning experience of playing New Zealand and Australia behind them, Ireland were now entering what was for them the serious part of the tournament.He said they got what they expected from the Australians. “There are no second chances against the top teams.” He felt his side bowled and fielded well despite defending such a small target but that the batting had collectively been disappointing. However, he noted with satisfaction that O’Neill’s effort had been recognised with the awarding of a point in the overall performance competition.Ireland now go on to put what they have learned in their opening matches to the test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday while Australia have a couple of days off before what promises to be a most interesting contest against India on Wednesday.

Tuffers is off the Audi!Let me explain – when you bat, the worse scenario is being dismissed without scoring, for a duck as is it called. If you get two of these in the same match it’s obviously a pair or, as they say on the circuit, “you’ve bagged them up!”.Tuffers [Phil Tufnell] has had three disappointments in a row. Therefore, when he went out to bat yesterday he was sitting on an Audi which is four rings in a row, The same branding as this type of car.I’m pleased to say, as he confidently gave himself room and scythed the ball through point, there was a huge amount of relief around the Lord’s ground.If the ball had gone to hand at point, then Tuffers would have been on the ‘Olympic’ next time he took guard. After that I’m not sure but it was suggested a P45 which is hinting at finding a new job. If it happened to a batter we wouldn’t be laughing, but to ‘The Cat’ it’s a different story. His job is with the ball and he proved his class yesterday with his 47th five-wicket haul.At present we are in a bit of a fight with Nottinghamshire, former county of Sir Richard [Hadlee] and, more recently, Chris Cairns. We bowled poorly on the first day at Lord’s and have played catch up ever since.Angus [Fraser] is out for a couple of weeks with his injury so I’ve got the reins, although it was a pretty loose grip as we went around the park courtesy of a South African recruit playing for Notts.I’m interested to see an increase of these types of players. They are from another country but can play as a resident under the EU passport policy. If these guys have success, I’m sure other counties won’t want to miss out.Speaking of Cairnsy earlier, I caught up with him this week as he breezed through on his way to South Africa to begin some training outside. His knee is progressing well and while it’s only early days in his recovery we look forward to his return at some stage this year.The news is also pretty positive on our other injuries with the guys now settling into the winter training programmes and skill work at the Academy.I caught up with John Reid, New Zealand Cricket’s, cricket operations manager this week at Lord’s. He was over to discuss changes to the international game, in particular the limited over matches with other members of the ICC.The feeling was that the one-day game was becoming too predictable, especially during the middle stages of an innings. The new rules are attempting to liven up the action and speed up play, both important if as players we wish to entertain. One bouncer per over is an interesting one, it gives the bowler a little artillery especially in the first 15 overs, but it is how it is policed that may cause confusion. Lets wait and see!

Full marks to the Pakistanis and to the authorities. Pakistanis – for keeping the mighty Australians at bay and the authorities – for keeping the even mightier Pakistani fans under better control.However, I can’t help but admire the Australians, whose sheer tenacity saw them coming back at Pakistan again and again. Such was their determination that Pakistan, despite scoring a mammoth 290, could not sit back and relax even for a moment.

Equally, though not laudable, was the Pakistani fans’ determination, which didn’t allow the security people to sit back and watch the thrilling events taking place out in the middle. They probed and probed, succeeding once during the Pakistan innings to have their presence felt, yet that was all they were going to get. For the security people at last realised they needed to handle the fans firmly.For me, that part of the match was really crucial – the one during which the mob tried to dictate terms. Pakistan were cruising along at 250 for 5 in the 45th over and could’ve gone on, but they lost their concentration after that unwarranted break after a firecracker was thrown on.Had it not been for Wasim Akram, with his little cameo, I am sure the score would have been much less, and with the Aussies always as determined as they are, the outcome of the match might have been what these very Pakistani fans surely would not have wanted.

Quite amazingly, Saleem Elahi, despite all his past failings with moving balls, top scored for Pakistan. Although not the best in terms of style and elegance, his was an innings of concentration and focus and one that may have thrown the team management into a dilemma. I wonder what Pakistan’s playing XI for the final will be, with Inzamam fully fit and Afridi also around?I think, after today’s knock, it would be unfair to leave Elahi out, and, with Inzamam coming in for Faisal Iqbal, we might have to swallow the bitter pill of not playing Afridi. However, the final decision lies with the management, while I sort out my problems here in Sri Lanka.Back to the game: I think everyone contributed in this excellent victory. The only worry I have is Saeed Anwar’s form. I wonder, how many more times he’ll throw his wicket away after getting good starts. Instead of learning from his mistakes, he seems to be repeating them. He really needs to consider how the team’s going to be affected by his recklessness. Come on Saeed, its time to wake up!I had always an inkling these Australians would fight till the very end, and that’s exactly what they did. Despite losing wickets, at more or less regular intervals, they kept coming back and it wasn’t over till the ‘fat lady sang’.Waqar Younis proved yet again how tough he is. Three wickets in his first 4-over spell and if that wasn’t enough, three more in the second, six in all and 13 in two back-to-back matches is amazing stuff. I don’t find words to describe his devotion to the cause of the team. He was just brilliant. Well done Waqar, keep it up!

The Australians, on their part, proved more than worthy opponents. Gilchrist played one of the greatest of knocks I have seen for some time and that too despite the fact that wickets were tumbling at the other end. I do believe, had he stayed there for five or six more overs, the match would have been over within 40 and in Australia’s favour. Believe me, I let out a great sigh of relief when Saqlain cut him short at 70.Now for the final, it will be an entirely new game. Toss would yet again be crucial but we must not lose heart in case luck deserts Waqar after a series of consecutive toss wins. For batting first at Lord’s is not always as rewarding as one might think. The example of WC’99 is there to ponder over. What did Wasim Akram gain after winning the toss and batting first?The key thing is, we must make an all out team effort at Lord’s and especially field well. And, at least I wouldn’t mind if our team prays for an England win in the last league match at the Oval, so that the Aussie morale takes one more dip. I don’t think it’s a bad idea or is it?

Ed:Mudassar Nazar is a veteran of 76 tests and 122 ODIs. He is currently the chief coach of Pakistan’s National and Regional Cricket Academies. In view of the overwhelming interest of users in CricInfo’s articles, we have invited him to write for us.

Leicestershire took total command of their CricInfo Championship clash in Canterbury courtesy of Kent old-boy Vince Wells.Born just nine miles away in Whitstable and weaned on Kent League cricket, Wells was released by his home county ten years ago and made them pay for that decision yesterday by scoring 138 in his side’s mammoth total of 612 for eight declared.Kent’s bad day turned worse soon after tea when, after reaching 55 without loss, they lost seven wickets for 100 runs inside 29 overs.Rob Key, Ed Smith and Matthew Walker, all enjoying purple patches and with 500-plus runs to their names, were all guilty of getting out when well set against Leicestershire’s veteran new ball attack of Phil DeFreitas and Devon Malcolm.By the close Kent had limped to 155 for seven, still 457 in arrears and 308 short of avoiding the follow-on at 463.It was all a far cry from the first four sessions of the match when Leicestershire’s under-achieving batsmen made hay on a good pitch.Making the most of short boundaries and a bland home attack, five Foxes’ batsmen passed 50 while Ben Smith and Wells reached deserved hundreds as they posted their highest total against Kent and the highest of the Championship season to date.Indeed Wells was on course for the fastest century of the summer in reaching 99 in 95 balls, but needed another nine deliveries to reach his landmark that included 17 fours and a six.Enjoying his return to his former home ground, Wells played powerful drives and pulls, but revealed deft touches with occasional late glances and three successive fours against off-spinner James Hockley, all from reverse sweeps.It was Leicestershire’s day and Kent will need a minor miracle now to prevent them from securing their second Championship win on the trot.