England is in for a difficult time today on the final day of the second Test after having already lost three wickets in quest of a record run chase of 491 runs. The imminent danger of a defeat looms large and is a definite possibility. Pakistan will obviously be aiming to get their most dependable batsman Joe Root early today which should pave the way for Misbah-ul-Haq’s men to go one up in the 3-match Test series.

This England side relies much on two of their most accomplished batsmen. One is their captain Alastair Cook and the other is Root. Cook was foxed into a false stroke yesterday by Yasir Shah, to be caught in the deep, but Root like always has played himself in and having shared a useful 99 runs stand with Ian Bell looks determined to save the humiliation for his team.

But to do that he will need to survive for at least two testing sessions of pace and spin on a wearing wicket to achieve the impossible.

The highest ever any team has chased to win a Test is 418 by the West Indies against Australia in 2003. England’s highest run chase to win a Test was no more than 330 odd runs at Melbourne if I remember it right.

Yasir was not his real self yesterday to exploit the footmarks to the full as he bowled quicker than in the first innings and often not able to maintain his length. I was told that he missed the morning nets too prior to the start of play. I earnestly hope that comes out today fresher and fitter to exploit the pitch.

Today, however, could be a different and productive day for both him and Zulfiqar if early wickets fell.

This indomitable and impregnable situation in which Pakistan finds itself at the moment is certainly created by two very fine innings by Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq who continue to keep their form intact and share partnerships to provide Pakistan the edge that they have in this match.

Misbah though missed his second hundred of the match, he did show however that even at this stage of his career he can continue to play with as much enthusiasm as when he was younger. Superb exhibition of fitness and form indeed.

Younis, like Misbah, is also unstoppable. His 31st Test century was as glorious and as attractive as the one he had made on his previous visits to the crease. The two are good as gold and no less than diamonds for Pakistan batting line-up.

If only the others take a leaf out of their way of dealing the bowling their batting line-up would be even richer. Asad Shafiq throughout in this series has shown that kind of class and application to score runs in a similar fashion.

But today on the final day of this Test we would be focused on how well our bowlers bowl to compliment the kind of performance that their batsmen have produced.

I feel that that England task to survive the day will be tougher than they would expect. Pressure will play on their minds and the fear of losing will be overpowering for them no doubt.

Barring a miracle England appear unlikely to save the match.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2015

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