Salahuddin Ahmed (Sallu) Photo © CricInfo

Of its two NatWest Series fixtures so far, the Pakistan team has won the first and lost the second, while Aussies have won both theirs. Against England in the first match, Pakistan seemed to be in an all-conquering mood, and made it their business to demolish the demoralised hosts in their second successive outing. In such form, the Pakistanis look really threatening. Unfortunately, they let it slip a bit against the Aussies, who ultimately proved why they are the best side in the world, as they made no fuss in reaching a competitive target with relative ease.

Saeed Anwar with a pull through the leg side field Photo © CricInfo

First, let's look at the England game, whom Pakistan meet again on Tuesday. Pakistan batted well, and posted enough runs on the board, with Saeed Anwar for the first time on this tour finding form and Inzamam continuing to plaster the England attack. Both added 150 for the third wicket, and while 273 in the end seemed to be a few runs less than Pakistan may have expected, it seemed good enough. Then with all the Pakistan bowlers, Wasim Akram being the sole exception, getting amongst the wickets, England capitulated for the second time in the week to lose by a huge margin - an identical 108 to Old Trafford Test.

England was depleted in the absence of Graham Thorpe and Andrew Caddick, with Nasser Hussain already out, but even that is no excuse keeping in view the margin of defeat.

This was a remarkable win, and showed that Pakistan's ascendancy at Old Trafford was no fluke. More so because Pakistan seemed superior in all departments in that game. In my view the only disappointing things in that match were Razzaq and Youhana getting run out.

Inzamam is far out of his ground as Gilchrist effects the stumping off Warne for nought Photo © CricInfo

In the second match, against Australia, I was frankly disappointed. I thought with the newly-inculcated fighting spirit and with Aussies not having been in great form and with injuries to a couple of their bowlers, evident from their outings against the counties, Pakistan stood a better chance of winning the game. But then Pakistan gave it away, with Razzaq and Inzamam gifting their wickets to a rather overweight and ordinary looking Shane Warne.

Azhar Mahmood followed suit, and Saeed Anwar having done the hard work gave his wicket away too, rather casually. Younis Khan was given leg before by Peter Willey when he was not; the star-crossed Younis must be wondering what he has to do to get the umpires to rule in his favour! That too, when he is in form and can make a really useful contribution.

Since he has been 'adjudged' three times in last five visits to the crease, I do hope he does not lose confidence or start believing in conspiracy theories.

A word about Inzamam. The way he got out trying to blast Warne out of the ground was really distressing. He is the vice-captain and a batsman on whom the team banks on to perform. He should show more responsibility, and especially because he is in fine fettle these days. He has made the most of it so far, but he shouldn't loose his composure, even once.

Youhana with a delicate leg glance in his innings of 91 not out Photo © CricInfo

That Pakistan eventually posted a somewhat competitive total was thanks to Yousuf Youhana (unconquered 91) and Rashid Latif (66 off 68 deliveries). Both were simply magnificent, and saved their side many a blushes. They were helped in their task a bit by Steve Waugh quite inexplicably, as he didn't employ a fielder at long leg, where both these batsmen scored many a run turning the full length deliveries into flicks and milking the spinners on sweeps.

Rashid Latif has more than justified his selection by his performance, both in front of the wicket and behind it. He is a tremendous fighter who never says die. This is also one reason why he keeps resurrecting his career when it seems to be all but over. But he seems to have health problems at this point and it would be advisable to keep a replacement handy. I think Moin Khan in the circumstances deserves a recall, and the selectors should look into sending him over to England.

The Aussies, thorough professionals as they are, went about the task of getting the runs by going after the Pakistan attack. They were helped along by the fact that with Shoaib and Waqar's pace, batsmen only need to get a reasonable touch and the ball disappears to the boundary, particularly in the first 15 overs. Waqar should have brought Saqlain Mushtaq on much earlier than he did, and once the off-spinner was given the ball he removed Ricky Ponting but by then the horse had bolted.

As Pakistan seem determined to do well, when they take on England on Tuesday, they would need to keep things tight while bowling and the batting order requires a change or two as well. For instance, why not promote Younis up the order, to number three? Razzaq has not been contributing many runs, and Younis with his characteristic aggression may make a difference. Going up the order may also change his luck with the umpires. It might relieve Razzaq too, for down the order he may discover the form while batting aggressively, which he perhaps cannot, going into a defensive groove at number three.

Ed: Salahuddin Ahmed (Sallu) is a former Test cricketer, and has served as a PCB selector nine times; his last stint (1999-2000) was as chief selector.

© CricInfo Limited