Pakistan lower middle order bat does the unthinkable

A review system had revived not only the test career of the debutant wicket keeper Zulqarnain Haider, but also an unthinkable and unfamilar situation of Pakistan - Yes, had there not been a review system, Zulqarnain would have been out for a golden duck and today we would have talked about Pakistan packing the Test cricket altogether. The review showed that the LBW decision was incorrect as it iwas missing the leg stump. This decision became very profitable and Pakistan were 153/7 then, needing another 100 runs to avoid an innings defeat. He will have become an immediate fan of the UDRS when he avoided becoming the first Pakistan batsman to bag a king pair after being given out lbw to Swann. Instead, Zulqarnain Haider played the innings of his life to defy the hosts with 88 off 200 balls. When Graeme Swann bagged his fourth wicket - on the way to a career-best 6 for 60 - the visitors were 101 for 6, but Zulqarnain found outstanding support in the contrasting styles of Mohammad Amir and Saeed Ajmal to build a lead of 112 and finally make the series a contest. He lofted Swann to deep mid-off, 12 short of the hundred he deserved, but having lifted the spirits of a nation.

This knock of his, took the team score to a lead of 112 runs, with a 115s runs partnership with Saeed Ajmal.

Amir was another obstacle for England, showing up his top-order colleagues with a sturdy defence. He was given three lives. Broad eventually extracted Amir with the second new ball when he edged to first slip, but there was no shifting Zulqarnain as he slowly started to come out of his shell. He took the attack to Swann - at one point backing well outside leg - and reached fifty from 150 balls which was celebrated with gusto. He got under the skin of England's bowlers with his mannerisms at the crease, and the fact the hosts became riled is the biggest compliment they could have paid Zulqarnain.


Ajmal, though, was the one provided the innings impetus as he gave as he good as he got, pulling Broad and Steven Finn through the leg side and showing a straight bat to Swann. However, in the over after he greeted his fifty with a roar to the dressing room he edged Swann low to slip after the offspinner had switch to round the wicket.

The match is very interestingly poised. Another 20 runs from the last pair, would mean that England had to wipe off about 130 runs. Pakistani bowlers must have been inspired with this knock of Haider and lower middle order batsman. Who knows, we can see an interesting finale, as Butt will have nothing more to loose...