Afridi, Rana Naveed set for 2nd Test at Faisalabad

FAISALABAD—Pakistan and England cricket teams would lock horn for all important second test match of the three match series at Iqbal Stadium amid beefed up security here today (Sunday) in Faisalabad.
With a virtual security blanket thrown over the vicinity of whole city, district administration has called additional police contingents from Jhang and Toba Tek Sing districts and services of special reserve police have also been hired to avert any eventuality during the match.
Apart from putting in place vigilance system, surveillance cameras have also been installed, personnel of civil defence and bomb disposal squad are directed to remain alert while sniffer dogs and over 300 strong elite force would perform duty during the match.
In the wake of security lapses, local as well as foreign media-people were issued special cards. The influx of spectators is expected in greater number as the match is holding on public holiday.
Lady commandos would perform duty on lady enclosure to keep security check. DPO captain (Retd) Amin Venus has deployed police officials to perform duty in civil dress to check the movement of anti-social elements. After their defeat at Multan, England must win the second Test at Faisalabad to stand any chance of winning the series. In three previous matches here, though, England have never managed to force a decisive result - the games in 2000-01, 1987-88 and 1983-84 all ended in draws. Pakistan have a 6-5 win-loss record here, but they haven’t won since 1996-97, drawing two and losing two of their last four Tests. And while 11 draws in 22 matches suggests a batsman-friendly surface, it hasn’t quite been so of late — of the last nine games, seven have produced a decisive result. The pitch here is traditionally supposed to be a good one for spinners, but surprisingly, fast bowlers have done better in the last ten years: in six Tests during this period, they have taken 125 wickets at 25.13, while spinners have only managed 78 wickets at 33.72. Pakistan’s fast bowlers have been especially potent here, taking 69 wickets at 23.17. Of the five ten-wicket hauls here, only one has gone to a spinner — Abdul Qadir took 11 for 218 against Australia in 1982-83.
Meanwhile, Michael Waughn of English team after net practice and jogging on Saturday, is expected to join the team today (Sunday). He noted that his team had adjusted in Pakistani environment and would give tough time to the host side. English coach of Pakistani team Bob Woolmer has said Shoaib Akhtar and Danish Kenaria were the backbone and heart of Pakistani team and “our team will work very hard to win the second test match.
Pak-England cricket team did their net practice in Iqbal Stadium amid stepped up security on Saturday. Peoples from every walk of life turned up to see a glimpse of both England and Pakistani players who held the practice session in the morning and after noon. Pakistan is one up by winning the first Test at Multan in the three Test Series. It was first setback to the most emerging team of England, a team defeated World Champions Australia in the Ashes Series. Despite tight security the Englishmen were freely roaming in the bazaars. Even England skipper Michael Vaughan along with other team members did jogging run outside on the main road situated near the hotel where both teams are staying.
The head of the security SSP Amin along with other concerned officials of the PCB took a round of the whole stadium and reviewed the overall arrangements of security inside and outside of the ground. He was told that foolproof security arrangements have been made for the match to ensure security to the players and spectators. He was also briefed about the camera installed for the security purposes. Almost 30 cameras have been installed in the ground, stadium and surrounding areas, which have the capability of recording the activities in its range, he said. The activities of the cameras could be monitored through the Central Control Rooms (CCR), he informed. Regional Development Officer of PCB, other staffs were also present. The recording would also involve audio recording facility, he said. The grassy out-field and wicket is ready, which the PCB officials had duly inspected time and again. He said, the condition, weather and watering are totally different from that were in Multan or else where. He said it was certain that the condition of the pitch could not be matching with one and other.—Agencies