Pakistan v England, 3rd Test, Lahore, 2nd day

Yousuf holds Pakistan together

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan

November 30, 2005

Pakistan 185 for 4 (Yousuf 84*, Shoaib 0*) trail England 288 (Collingwood 96) by 103 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Mohammad Yousuf produced a series of elegant drives © Getty Images

Mohammad Yousuf made England pay for dropping him on 16 to hold Pakistan together after the second day had threatened to become a procession of batsmen back to the pavilion. His composed knock helped restore the innings around after Matthew Hoggard struck two early blows. Prior to Yousuf's effort the day had been dominated by the bowlers with England's last four wickets folding for 40 runs, including Paul Collingwood for 96.

England's under par 288 quickly became more imposing when Pakistan slipped to 12 for 2. But Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq, who were highlighted as the key to Pakistan's batting in this Test, countered England's aggression with their own. They represent the main core of the batting, which is surrounded by a clutch of inexperienced players, and the way they constructed their fourth-wicket stand showed they realised the importance of their contribution.

England will be rueing the moment that Yousuf edged Steve Harmison low to second slip only to watch the ball travel straight through Andrew Flintoff's hands. Except that one chance the attack did not look like breaking the partnership so it came as a bonus for England when Inzamam was forced to retire hurt after a nasty blow on the wrist from Harmison.

With Hasan Raza, who looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights at Multan, in at No. 6, England sensed an opening and huddled together as though a wicket had fallen while Inzamam headed off. This time Raza settled himself with some crisp boundaries, but was still uncertain against Harmison and had the slips on their toes. Ten minutes before the light closed in he flashed once to often and Flintoff made partial amends for his earlier miss with a smart catch by his bootlaces.

Raza's wicket was a much needed because England's bowling, which had started so promisingly when Hoggard snapped up his brace, lost its control as Yousuf and Inzamam exerted their authority. Liam Plunkett snared his first Test wicket by removing a stubborn Salman Butt but Shaun Udal repeatedly dropped short, was punished each time, and quickly returned to the outfield.

Both batsmen did have moments of fortune; Yousuf twice lobbed the ball into gaps when he was troubled by Harmison's extra bounce and Inzamam was inconvenienced by a hint of low bounce - an indication of what may develop as the pitch wears. But Yousuf reached his fifty in elegant style by creaming a cover drive off Hoggard.

Liam Plunkett dismissed Salman Butt for his first Test wicket © Getty Images

Inzamam has had an epic series; before today his tally was 333 runs from four innings. Pakistan's reply could have gone either way when he arrived at the crease; his aggressive strokeplay put England back on the back foot. The injury was a blow to Pakistan's progress although Yousuf continued to thread the ball through the infield with precision.

The dominant batting by Pakistan's senior pair was in stark contrast to the rush of wickets during the morning session. England started the day with grand designs of extending their innings past 350, while Collingwood had his mind set on a maiden century. Instead, what followed was a further impressive bowling performance from Pakistan, especially Shoaib Akhtar.

He bowled unchanged with excellent control and came close to removing Collingwood on 92 when there was a noise from a flashing cut but it was not bat on ball. However, he got his man an over later with a well-directed bouncer.

Collingwood had deserved a century after marshalling England from the top-order wobble and keeping his head while others lost theirs. But even though he missed three figures, his 96 will ensure he has another chance in the future. Plunkett also deserves credit for his resilience on debut, surviving 51 balls and 83 minutes with few alarms, showing an admirable straight bat.

Yousuf then gave him a tough lesson in bowling at a quality player and England are still counting the cost of that rare lapse by Flintoff. But neither side has taken this match by the throat; the deciding Test is approaching its defining moment.

How they were out

England
Resumed on 248 for 6

Shaun Udal c Kamal b Kaneria 10 (249 for 7)
Think edge via pad to short-leg

Paul Collingwood c Kaneria b Shoaib 96 (283 for 8)
Top-edge hook to long-leg

Liam Plunkett b Sami 9 (288 for 9)
Inside edge onto pad then into stumps

Steve Harmison c Akmal b Sami 0 (288 all out)
Thin outside edge

Pakistan

Shoaib Malik c Plunkett b Hoggard 0 (0 for 1)
Push-drive to midwicket

Asim Kamal lbw b Hoggard 5 (12 for 2)
Trapped by an inswinger

Salman Butt c G Jones b Plunkett 28 (68 for 3)
Thin edge to a loose drive

Hasan Raza c Flintoff b Harmison 21 (180 for 4)
Thick-edged drive to wide third slip position

Andrew McGlashan is editorial assistant of Cricinfo

© Cricinfo

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Matches

Pakistan v England at Lahore

Players/Umpires

Andrew Flintoff

Steve Harmison

Matthew Hoggard

Inzamam-ul-Haq

Mohammad Yousuf

Series/Tournaments

England tour of Pakistan

Teams

England

Pakistan