Post by hhsussex on Nov 20, 2014 8:49:14 GMT
Pakistan in the 2nd Test against New Zealand providing further evidence that they are, at least in their adopted home of the Gulf, one of the leading sides in world cricket. After defeating NZ in the 1st Test in the same contemptuous way with which they disposed of Australia, they lost the toss for the first time this winter and New Zealand made 403, albeit very slowly. There were a few wobbles in the Pakistan innings and at 287-8 they could have been in a very awkward spot, 100 runs behind with most of the 4th and the 5th day left to play, but wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and Rahat Ali have put on 80 and the match will probably be drawn, unless Pakistan's spinners can induce a collapse when New Zealand bat again.
Pakistan have no confirmed tours, for political and economic reasons, beyond this series and the World Cup, although the ECB has scheduled England to play 3 Tests against them, almost certainly in the Gulf, next autumn, and they will visit England for 4 Tests from July 2016. The chances of them playing against South Africa in Tests appear remote, but their record against them has been good, winning 2 out of 3 ODIs in SA in Nov 2013 and halving a 2 match T20 series. That followed a 2 Tests series in the Gulf where they won one match, but were beaten by an innings in the other. At the moment, with SA reportedly having a few wobbles of their own in Australia, it looks as if ICC Rankings notwithstanding, that Pakistan are probably as good as anyone.
Pakistan have no confirmed tours, for political and economic reasons, beyond this series and the World Cup, although the ECB has scheduled England to play 3 Tests against them, almost certainly in the Gulf, next autumn, and they will visit England for 4 Tests from July 2016. The chances of them playing against South Africa in Tests appear remote, but their record against them has been good, winning 2 out of 3 ODIs in SA in Nov 2013 and halving a 2 match T20 series. That followed a 2 Tests series in the Gulf where they won one match, but were beaten by an innings in the other. At the moment, with SA reportedly having a few wobbles of their own in Australia, it looks as if ICC Rankings notwithstanding, that Pakistan are probably as good as anyone.
