PAKISTAN v ENGLAND: 1st Test, Day 1 - It's all about one man & Pakistan

It seems to be English tradition to have a batting collapse on the first day - but even by England's standards this was a bad one.  Torn apart by Pakistan's right-arm offbreak bowler, Saeed Ajmal, England were suffocating under the tight fielding on this first day.  The Dubai Sports City stadium offered up so much before play with talk of huge scores and balls turning - not today.  Instead, England's run-rate was less than 2.

The top order batsmen collapsed in real style, beginning with Alastair Cook, and it is fair to say the majority of the dismissals were down to batsman error.  The England batsmen appeared to have no answer to Ajmal and from a team that prides themselves on preparing for test series through detailed analysis of opposition bowling styles, this was particularly worrying. Pietersen, Morgan and Broad reminded me of  playing a video game for the first time, when you're unsure of the controls, making you swing and miss too early or late.  These three, and the others who fell to the mercy of  Ajmal, miscalculated the timing of the ball and played the reverse-sweep far to early, resulting in their dismissal to LBW.  

Nonetheless, only Matt Proir stood up and gave Ajmal and Pakistan a fight.  It was Prior's 70 not out that saved England and got them the score of 192, which in retrospect is a higher score than expected at tea.  Prior built a good partnership with Swann and Anderson, which allowed both of these lower order batsmen to come and play some shots.  The most exciting batting of the day came from Anderson & Swann, who used the pace of the ball nicely to push shots over the top for 4.  

Pakistan's performance must be commended.  They took to the field eager to play and stood firm in their positions.  The field was strong - not allowing England to break through to the boundary.  Pakistan were confident and along with the outstanding Ajmal, challenged England.  I believe their battle had the element of surprise; England did not expect Pakistan to be so strong, that was obvious, and the fact that Pakistan have started their first innings with confidence and determination, suggests that it will be an uphill struggle tomorrow.  England's bowlers must push the Pakistani batsmen back deep into their crease, to push the balance of power in England's favour.  I felt Tremeltt, despite bowling well, wasn't showing enough aggression with his bouncers, as Hafeez and Umar left them to sail over the top of the stumps.  England need wickets and fast!  

Statistics of Note, DAY 1:
England won toss & chose to bat first

England 192 - all out (72.3 overs)

Pakistan 42 - 0 (15.0 overs)

Ajmal 7-55

Prior 70

Swann 34