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| November 29, 2005 | Tuesday | Shawwal 26, 1426 |
Weather may decide fate of Test series
LAHORE, Nov 28: Bad light and fog are likely to play an important role in the outcome of the vital third and final Test starting on Tuesday at the Qadhafi Stadium. The city received light showers on Monday and there are indications there might be a delayed start and early close of play on each day due to morning mist and fading light.
This could result in loss of around 15 overs on all playing days, as happened in Faisalabad, which may prove decisive in the end.
Inclement weather, specially in late November and December, have in the past disrupted Test and One-dayers here.
England and Pakistan camps are hoping the skies will remain clear during the next five days allowing both teams a fair chance of going all out for victory.
England, already 1-0 down, need a victory not only to square the three-Test series but also to avoid losing a series after seven successive rubbers wins. For Michael Vaughan and his boys it is a must-win situation.
A draw will do no good to the visitors’ morale as they are due to face India early next year.
The hosts, on the other hand, require just a draw to clinch the series and end a rubber triumph drought.
The last time Pakistan won a home Test series was way back in 2003 against South Africa.
A draw or a victory in the Test will give Inzamamul Haq and coach Bob Woolmer their first taste of series success.
Both the visitors and the hosts will be handicapped by absence of several key players for the vital match, with Pakistan being the major sufferer having to field a make-shift batting line-up.
Pakistan will sorely miss vice-captain Younis Khan, dangerous Shahid Afridi and medium-pacer Shabbir Ahmed for variety of reasons. Besides, Mohammad Yousuf is not fully fit, discomforted by a nagging shoulder injury.
England will be without their opener Andrew Strauss who returned home, forcing a reshuffle in the top order and the visitors will be hoping a return to form for Vaughan who had a poor second Test after missing the first Test through injury.
The strip prepared for the Test appeared bald without grass and the pundits are predicting lots of runs, with the side batting first having definite advantage as the wicket is expected to assist spinners on the fourth and fifth days.
Teams:
Pakistan (from): Inzamamul Haq (captain), Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Hasan Raza, Asim Kamal, Shoaib Akhtar, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Asif, Rana Navedul Hasan, Danish Kaneira, Mushtaq Ahmed, Arshad Khan.
England (from): Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Ian Bell, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Shaun Udal, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Liam Plunkett, A Cook, Geriant Jones, Kevin Pietersen, Alex Loudon, Paul Collingwood, James Anderson.
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