DUBAI: England lost its 7 wicket in a Test match against Pakistan. This was the second time at the Dubai International Stadium that England thrashed away, but this time their first-innings tormentor, Saeed Ajmal, played only a bit role. Four wickets for Umar Gul buried the chance of England for a great escape. By tea, England were 75 for 5, trailing by 71 runs.
Elegant player Ian Bell, for the past year, has became Ajmal's bunny, two times utterly deceived by an excellent "doosra". Ajmal bowled him first ball in the first innings and he was again exploited a second time.
England had no reply for Umar Gul as he prospered with a spell of 445 for 20 in fifteen overs.
England captain Andrew Strauss was caught down the leg side against Gul just before lunch, a decision by umpire Billy Bowden that was upheld by the DRS.
There was definitely a woody sound as the ball diverted past Strauss' bat and there was a little pause before he called for the Third Umpire. Hotspot revealed nothing - but then Hotspot is not infallible. The Third Umpire, Steve Davis, as the guidelines state, saw "no conclusive evidence" to allow him to overturn Bowden's decision and he had no option but to follow such a course.
Gul invited Kevin Pietersen with a short ball. Pietersen responded, hooking it into Abdur Rehman's hands at deep backward square. Following in Pietersen's footsetps, Morgan, Trott and then Prior also went back to the pavilion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2012
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