'Shocking': Vaughan slams Pindi pitch when PAK batters make merry a day after going gaga over England's batting

Michael Vaughan was quick to slam the Rawalpindi after Pakistan did the same what England did in the first innings - make full use of the flat track Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS Michael Vaughan was criticised for 'chameleon' like change in views during first Test between Pakistan and England

Vaughan labelled Pindi pitch 'shocking' after Pakistan piled on 181 runs without losing a wicket

England had posted a humongous total of 657 runs on the board batting first

The pitches produced for Test cricket in Pakistan were at the centre of all discussion when Babar Azam and Co. hosted Australia in a three-match series earlier this year. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja had assured one and all, that the surfaces will get better and the fans will see an equal contest between bat and ball when they host England and New Zealand later in the year. However, that has not been the case this time around as well.

On one of the flattest pitches in a Test match, batters of both teams, England and Pakistan have piled on runs and the game threatens to proceed towards another dreary draw. After England batted first and amassed a whopping 657 runs in 101 overs, it seemed like the visitors have given a lot of time to themselves to bowl out Pakistan twice to possibly initiate an innings defeat.

Imam-ul-Haq and However, that wasn't the case as after England, the Pakistan batters too made full use of flat deck and the openersand Abdullah Shafique helped the hosts get through to the end of the second day's play without losing a wicket. Although, the deficit is still a huge one, of 476 runs, but over 800 runs getting scored in just 150-plus overs with only 10 wickets lost, isn't a good advertisement for Test cricket. Several former cricketers slammed the poor Pindi Stadium pitch including ex-England captain Michael Vaughan , who labelled it shocking. "Shocking pitch for Test cricket .." wrote Vaughan.

Shocking pitch for Test cricket .. #PAKvENG undefined — ANI (@ANI) Dec 2, 2022

However, the fans were quick to notice the sudden change in his views on the game. When England were batting, he couldn't stop praising the batters, the approach, the mindset of Stokes and Co. and how they were breaking one record after another, however, the moment Pakistan batters did the same - making full use of flat pitch - the surface had to take the blame.

Yesterday same pitch and so much praise for England batsman, alright Mr Vaughan. Today Pakistan playing well the… t.co/OwTNJjuhdR — ANI (@ANI) Dec 2, 2022

When England bats, 'what a fantastic team, what a game, what a what...' 😍 When your former colony bats, 'what a b… t.co/syR5W3YQdH — ANI (@ANI) Dec 2, 2022

Michael Vaughan when England Batting vs Pakistan 181/0 t.co/8mSLdCctRM — ANI (@ANI) Dec 2, 2022

This is Michael Vaughan talking about the same Test match, within a span of just over 24 hours. The only differen… t.co/hVTTYG8XjT — ANI (@ANI) Dec 2, 2022

When in batting vs When in bowling 🤣🤣🤣Vaughan is a true chameleon 😂😂😂 t.co/I3ypv8B5vd — ANI (@ANI) Dec 2, 2022

"Love watching this England team play .. They make playing a Test look like it’s another game for your junior team .. so much fun .. Yes they will hit some bumps but they are a breath of fresh air to the Test game .." Vaughan had written on Day 1 of the Rawalpindi Test.

While Ramiz was clueless about the nature of the surface, the fans will hope that some deterioration of the pitch in the coming days does take an effect and the match does get a result as a draw could be a sign for what's in store for the whole series and it could be a long one, seeing how it has played in the first two days.

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