Plays of the day from the second day of the third Test between Pakistan and England in Dubai
George Dobell in Dubai04-Feb-2012Telling moment
In years gone by, it is highly unlikely that Stuart Broad would havebeen given out in the manner he was in England’s first innings. Usinghis considerable height to stretch a long way forward, Broad would,almost certainly have enjoyed the benefit of any doubt despite SaeedAjmal’s striking him on the pad.Times have changed. Since theadoption of the DRS, batsmen using their pads to block the ball can nolonger rely on any such benefits. Here, Broad was adjudged not out bythe on-field umpire, only for Pakistan to review the decision and theball-tracking technology to show that the ball hit in line and wasgoing on to hit middle stump. So, does that represent progress? Or hasthe balance swung too far to the benefit of bowlers? It depends on yourpoint of view. But the DRS has certainly changed the game.Key moment
If England were to have any realistic chances of building amatchwinning position in their first innings, it was imperative thatAndrew Strauss went on to make a significant contribution on day two.It was not to be. Despite battling hard, Strauss was nowhere near hisbest and, in trying to use his feet to the admirable Abdur Rehman,Strauss failed to reach the pitch, missed and was stumped. It had beena brave if somewhat torturous innings but, when he was ninth man out,England’s last hopes of exploiting the fact that they had dismissedPakistan for just 99, departed with him.Shot of the day
It took Azhar Ali 17 balls to get off the mark and, after 39 balls, hehad scored just two. Yet, unlike some of the England batsmen, he didnot panic or fret over such a slow start. He remained patient in theknowledge that, eventually, the situation would ease and the runswould flow. When they did, he produced some fine shots. None werebetter than the deliciously-timed on-drive he played off Broad:barely more than a punch, but a stroke that sent the ball speeding tothe boundary. It was the shot of a man who now appears to have thetemperament, talent and technique to enjoy a long internationalcareer.Class of the day
There is little room for sentiment in international cricket thesedays. It is a hard and often prosaic business and the days whenfielders applaud an opposition player’s century may well be coming toan end. So it was telling that every one of the England team joined inthe ovation when Younis Khan reached his 20th Test century. As wellthey might. This was an innings that oozed class. Some of his strokes- his on-drive, sweep and late-cuts all stand out – illustratedbatting at its very best and have given his side a wonderfulopportunity to secure a 3-0 whitewash of the No. 1 ranked Test team.Every one of England’s players applauded when Younis left the field atthe end of the day, too. He deserved it.Warning sign
Azhar and Younis had batted in increasing comfort in the eveningsession. Their stand was worth 142, Pakistan’s lead was worth 128 andthe pair were milking the bowling with an ease not seen at anyprevious stage this series. Suddenly, however, Monty Panesar persuadedone to turn and bounce sharply, beating Younis outside the off stump.While it might momentarily have encouraged the bowlers, the long-termramifications were far less promising from an England perspective.Bearing in mind their frailty against spin and that they have to batfourth, it was a ball that should have had the blood of their batsmenrunning cold.
