Pakistan v England: Ban match-fixers for life, says Pietersen
- by Virginia Carter
- in World Media
- — Jul 14, 2016
He didn't have to make the return walk onto the field in his whites since England were bowling, and when the Pakistan openers made their way to the middle there was a warm respectful applause as there would be for any visiting team.
The script could not have been written any more tantalizingly.
Jake Ball, making his Test debut in the absence of senior pacer James Anderson, went up in appeal against Shan Masood off his second delivery in global cricket but failed to bag his maiden wicket.
All eyes will be on Mohammad Amir as he returns to the Lord's six years after the fixing saga that rocked the worldwide cricket.
Remarkably, this was also Misbah's first Test anywhere in England, with selection decisions having kept him out of previous tours.
Fast bowler Mohammad Amir will be centre of attention when England's cricketers take on Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday.
But instead he performed a series of press-ups in what appeared to be a joke aimed at critics who questioned whether he is now too old for global cricket.
- Jonny Bairstow is the leading Test run scorer in 2016, scoring 626 at an average of 104.3, the most an England wicketkeeper has ever scored in a calendar year is 777 (Matt Prior 2012). While Cook leads the way with the bat, Root's form and intent will set the tone for England's innings. That's the reason the selectors gave to me. He's served his time. The only thing is we are here to play good cricket and here to play competitive cricket against an England team who are very good in their home conditions. If it is a full house that means they do believe in the Pakistan team.
Amir is 7/4 with Betway to be top Pakistan bowler, which I will be backing. "He is ready to answer with his performance-and that is what counts". "I want him to take five wickets in this Test match to get his name back and to get his image back, which has been spoiled, and I wish him all the best to win this Test for Pakistan".
Riaz himself was involved in some of the controversy between the sides in 2010, when he and then England batsman Jonathan Trott had to be separated in the nets during the ODI series.
Root has been promoted to No.3 spot to provide stability in the batting line-up following the failure of Nick Compton, with the next two positions being filled by James Vince and the recalled Gary Balance, who have failed to click with the bat lately.
As well as Amir, Pakistan is also set to hand a return to spinner Yassir Shah in what will be his first worldwide outing since serving a three-month doping ban.
Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW, online, tablets, mobiles and BBC Sport app.
