Osman specials and more

Here's someone who writes with passion for Pakistan. I liken him to what Harsha is to Indian cricket. And in his fourth day report for the ongoing Pakistan England test match, he concentrates on the poor form of Mohammed Yousuf. There are parallels to another stylish batsman who kept getting out in the 20s and 30s, VVS Laxman. Laxman got 16 scores of twelve runs or more where, each time, he kept getting out after looking like he was in the best form of his life. Obviously, some of them were scored when he batting at No 6.

Osman Samiuddin also comments on the tumultous history of Pak-Eng test series. Old article but interesting reading for those who missed it. Some of it was outright funny. Such as the below sections:
1983-84 - Fresh from a dope-smoking scandal, England arrives in Pakistan for a three-Test series. They lose their captain Willis to a viral infection and Botham to a dodgy knee after the first Test; the latter leaves the country muttering, infamously, "Pakistan is the sort of place every man should send his mother-in-law to, for a month, all expenses paid."

1992 - Melbourne - Pakistan beats England to win the World Cup. Wasim Akram wins the match award dismissing Botham, Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis; Botham's dismissal is greeted, allegedly, by Aamir Sohail asking him to send his mother-in-law in next.

While this was written from Osman's point of view, often downplaying Pakistan's misdeeds, it is easy to see which of the two teams has more hypocrites.

Andrew Miller asks England not to panic. This test seems to be swinging to and fro every day. But I agree with Miller, if England keeps calm, they should see this through. Wonder if Shoaib has other plans though. The first innings was only the fourth time he bowled more than 25 overs in a test match without getting injured and he gave good company to Akmal while batting. Who knows, he may have turned a corner in his life.