With one day left in the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test, former Tyke Younis Khan has scored 306* and stands a chance of breaking Brian Lara's Test record of 400. Younis will certainly get the opportunity given that there is no chance of a result in the match.
Looking at the scores and reading reports of the game I think the value of the run should be devalued by half. Pakistan get someone to play a test match in Karachi and they produce a pitch like that. Seems it could do with a few bombs landing on the pitch to liven it up.
I'm not sure about bombs, but he groundsmen obviously did not produce a results wicket. Its small wonder the Test crowds are down with fiascoes like this. Who wouldn't prefer to watch Twenty-20 in lieu of these boor-a-thons?
Talking of the crowd, apparently yesterday they were literally giving tickets away and 200 turned up! A know it's a bore and nothing of excitement seemed likely to happen but in view of the fact Pakistan hasn't seen test cricket since I don't know when, you'd have thought the mere novelty value would have persuaded a few thousand to turn up. The writing is surely on the wall for test cricket in Pakistan if only 200 can turn up for a freebie.
Talking of pitches, Headingley was always the most exciting test match because you always knew there would be a result. Them that could bat could still make runs though as Gooch and a few others proved over the years. I still rate that Gooch innings of 154no as the best test innings I've ever seen. Taking into account the conditions and opposition it would be worth 700 in Karachi.
well that put the mockers on him didn't it - out for 313.
the most enjoyable part of the scorecard was seeing Muali with figures of 1 for 178 and still going - bet he has not had that sort of return for a while.
Whenever there's an end of day headline about someone breaking Lara's record, they are invariably out early on the next day so I'm not surprised - Sehwag last year springs to mind.
I've never understood why we refer to batsmen's wickets as "good" wickets. Surely a good wicket - in the real sense of the word - should be a wicket that produces a good game of cricket and a definite result. Give me a three day seaming pitch or a big turner any day of the week! In one week we've had the two extremes of Test Cricket - everything that is good in Antigua and the very opposite in Pakistan..
at least they have managed to play a test match in Pakistan once again - this is big progress and lets see them take one step at a time rather than expect perfection from day 1.
If you were preparing a home wicket for a match v Sri Lanka you are presumably under orders not to deliver a bunsen burner with Murali and Mendis lining up for the opposition
there may still be a result in this game yet. Sri lanka are 54-3 at tea on the final day and need to get to 121 to avoid the innings defeat. 26 overs to go makes it unlikely but I am sure Pakistan will be trying every trick in the book - wonder if they have third ump referrals in this test?