TRESCOTHICK STANDS FIRM FOR ENGLAND

In just ten overs, three wickets had gone down for 36 and only Marcus Trescothick had been facing the Pakistan attack with some confidence. But even he was fortunate to still be at the crease, having been dropped on five at third man by Yousuf Youhana off Abdur Razzaq.

England lost their first wicket on six when Nick Knight was run out for one in the third over and four overs later Alec Stewart square-cut Abdur Razzaq straight to point to be caught on four.

From two down for 19, England slipped further to 26 for three, with Michael Vaughan going without scoring. But a fine stand between Trescothick and Owais Shah brought up the fifty of their stand in 89 balls as they attempted to revive the England innings.

After 25 overs they had taken the score to 79 for three.

ENGLAND SET 243 TO WIN BY PAKISTAN

Pakistan got off to a brisk start after being put in to bat, scoring at the rate of four an over until Darren Gough trapped Saleem Elahi leg before wicket with the total on 28. Elahi was one of two changes in the side from their previous match at Edgbaston and Shoaib Malik, the off spinner replaced the unfit Shoaib Akhtar.

England, also with two changes from the match against Australia, had Michael Vaughan back for Ally Brown and Andy Caddick replaced Robert Croft.

Caddick's eighth over proved most effective with Pakistan losing two important wickets. The departure of pinch hitter Afridi would have been a relief, as he looked dangerous for England. He slogged a six over long-on, going down the wicket in Alan Mullally's first over and after the 50 had come up in the 14th over, he hit two consecutive boundaries off Caddick, the first to mid-wicket and the second an edge to fine-leg.

But Caddick had him caught in the same over, for 30, as he tried to cut a ball - coming into him - too close to his body. Pakistan were 59 for two and a run later from a no-ball, Inzamam-ul-Haq was bowled by a full toss on the leg stump. Caddick had taken two for 33 in eight overs.

Pakistan's hundred came from 153 balls and after 25 overs they were 100 for three. The scoring rate fell considerably as the partnership between Youhana and Younis Khan progressed, to the extent that between the 23rd and 35th overs there were no boundaries hit.

It was, nevertheless, a stand that Pakistan needed, and the two revived the innings, taking it to 140 before Younis, on 41, hit Dominic Cork to cover to be caught low by Nick Knight.

Youhana, in partnership with Rashid Latif lifted the tempo. He reached his 50 from 89 balls with a four to extra-cover off Cork whose five overs at that stage went for 36. The 50 stand between Youhana and Latif came fast, from 48 balls, and when Latif was bowled by Mark Ealham for 23 from 26 balls, Pakistan were 190 for five.

Youhana scored more freely as the overs climbed into the forties, displaying some lovely strokes, mostly along the ground but on 81, off 119 balls, he played a lofted shot to mid-wicket where Owais Shah held the catch. It was off Mullally who, two overs earlier, had dismissed Abdur Razzaq when Pakistan were 195 for six.

After Youhana's excellent innings, which ended on the total of 208, a late flourish from Azhar Mahmood took him to 27 not out from 21 balls as Pakistan reached 242 for eight. Caddick, Gough and Mullally taking two wickets each.

FALL OF WICKETS CHECKS PAKISTAN'S PROGRESS

Elahi was one of two changes in the side from their previous match at Edgbaston and Shoaib Malik, the off-spinner replaced the unfit Shoaib Akhtar.

England, also with two changes from the match against Australia, had Michael Vaughan back for Ally Brown and Andy Caddick replaced Robert Croft.

Caddick's eighth over proved most effective with Pakistan losing two important wickets. The departure of pinch hitter Afridi would have been a relief. He looked dangerous for England. He slogged a six over long-on, going down the wicket in Alan Mullally's first over and after the 50 had come up in the fourteenth over, he hit two consecutive boundaries off Caddick. The first to mid-wicket and the second was an edge to fine-leg.

But Caddick had him caught in the same over, for 30, as he tried to cut a ball - coming into him - too close to his body. Pakistan were 59 for two and a run later from a no-ball, Inzamam-ul-Haq was bowled by a full toss on the leg stump. Caddick had taken two for 33 in eight overs.

Pakistan's hundred came from 153 balls and after 25 overs they were 100 for three.

PAKISTAN ASKED TO BAT BY ENGLAND

Vaughan and Caddick returned to the England side, replacing Ally Brown and Robert Croft respectively.

Saleem Elahi and Shoaib Malik play for Pakistan, replacing the injured Shoaib Akhtar and Saeed Anwar, whose daughter has been taken ill. Wasim Akram has still not recovered from his shoulder problem.

England certainly have a stronger bowling attack for this game, though they may have concerns about their lower order batting. They need to win this game to retain any hopes of reaching the final of this series, while Pakistan will be determined not to let slip the lead they earned at Edgbaston.

If England fail in this game it will be their longest losing streak ever; eight games in a row, though they would point out they are in a rebuilding phase prior to the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

The game began in warm conditions, but with the ground only three-quarters full.

Clearly the sides have read the pitch differently. Pakistan have included two spinners, while England have placed their faith in seam.

© CricInfo

Date-stamped : 12 Jun2001 - 22:25