1832: So that's it from me, thank you and I have no idea who'll be doing this on Friday, but I'm sure they'll make you laugh more than me. Sniff. Adios.

1822: Straussy had his fair share of fortune; a dropped catch and a caught behind that never was. However, he batted with intelligence and authority, along with plenty of flair and extravagance when required. He's not so predictable as he used to be...

1820: England captain and man of the match Andrew Strauss: "The batting feels pretty good at the moment, I'm enjoying playing with a bit more freedom and there's a lot of confidence in the group, which always helps. Our fielding was shambolic at times. It was just one of those days a couple of fumbles and everyone starts getting edgy. Let's not have a repeat of that again."

1815: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi: "I'm happy with our performance, especially with the way the boys came back. I thought the way skipper [Strauss] played won the match."

1813: Corrr, after some boring mid-innings passages, that was a decent game of cricket. Bit harsh on Pakistan, who'll rue their batting powerplay performance at the end of their innings, but impressive resilience from England and Straussy has to be a shoo-in for man of the match. Next up is The Oval on Friday 17 September.

From Ryushinku on 606: "A real tough one to lose for Pakistan, but they've got closer again than the previous game. Can they win the next one?"

49.3 overs - Eng 296-6:
Bres scrambles a quick single as he slams a drive to Fawad Alam at mid-off, but the fielder's throw at the stumps is way off the mark as the Yorkshireman punches the air to celebrate a tense and thrilling victory. ENGLAND WIN BY FOUR WICKETS

49.2 overs - Eng 294-6:
Some sort of brain malfunction means Gul bangs down a short delivery to Bresnan, who manages to top edge the ball high over Kamran Akmal's head for four. England need one to win.

49.1 overs - Eng 290-6:
Oh dear, after a superb start Gul spears a delivery wide of the off-stump guideline white mark inside the crease. One run. Five balls to go, five runs needed.

49.1 overs - Eng 289-6:
Umar Gul to bowl the final over - and his first delivery is close to crunching Bresnan's toes. No run.

49 overs - Eng 289-6:
Bresnan's first delivery is a wide, much to Ajmal's frustrations. Our Tim takes little notice of the pressure, taking a step to leg and thumping Ajmal from around the wicket through the covers for four. He attempts to welly a six to Bradford but completely misses a top-spinner. England need six from the final over. The crowd and atmosphere is simmering. England need six from six. Cue a Pakistan team meeting involving six players in the middle of the field. Strap yourselves in, we're in for a bumpy finish...

48.1 overs - Eng 282-6: WICKET Bopara ct Hafeez b Ajmal 16
Bopara launches a drive miles into the air, but not enough elevation to clear long-off, where Mohammad Hafeez takes a very good catch running to his left. In comes Tim Bresnan. England need 13 from 11 deliveries.

48 overs - Eng 282-5:
Agricultural from Bopara, swiping across the line for a couple towards Cow Corner, but two cleverly disguised slower deliveries deceive the England number six. Bopara can't find enough power to pierce the infield as Gul fires one in towards his toes, squeezing a single for Yardy to take over. And doesn't he just, shifting over to the off-side deep inside his crease to hoist the ball high over midwicket for a two-bounce four. He tries exactly the same thing from the last delivery but completely mis-hits the ball, looping a leading edge over cover for a couple. England need 13 to win from 12 balls.

47 overs - Eng 273-5:
Smart stroke from Bopara, opening up his body to hit a straight ball from around the wicket by Ajmal through the offside for three. Remember, only two fielders are allowed outside the 30m circle during the batting powerplay, so there are plenty of gaps around the park. Wallop - Yardy gives himself plenty of room to smash the off-spinner through the covers for four before Ajmal finishes up with two dot balls. England need 22 from 18.

46 overs - Eng 264-5:
In comes Michael Yardy, although the Sussex captain saunters to the non-striker's end as Bopara had crossed before the catch was taken from the previous delivery. Poor ball from Gul, sending a wide full-toss down leg side as Yardy gets off the mark with a sharp single. Who's gonna call this? Yeah, thought not...

45.4 overs - Eng 260-5: WICKET Morgan ct Hafeez b Gul 16
Easy pickings for Bopara as Umar Gul drops short outside off stump, allowing the batsman to open the face of the bat and trickle a boundary through the vacant slip area for four. Not particularly clever bowling from the Pakistani - although he makes the breakthrough as Eoin Morgan slaps a sliced drive to Mohammad Hafeez stationed five yards from the deep point boundary.

45 overs - Eng 253-4:
Ravi Bops is off the mark while Eoin Morgan plays one of his quite remarkable reverse sweep over point for four. Even more remarkable is the fact he played and missed one moments before smearing the second attempt to the boundary one-handed. Genius, just wonderful invention and nascent confidence.

44.2 overs - Eng 248-4: WICKET Strauss lbw b Ajmal 126
Huge throaty roar from Ajmal, more a shriek than an appeal as Strauss sweeps across the line to a straight delivery but misses, whacking him in front of the stumps. Up goes Billy Doctrove's finger and we now have an intriguing game on our hands. Did I mention the batting powerplay has been taken? No? The batting powerplay has been taken. In comes new man Ravi Bopara.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew on TMS: "Unless England do something stupid, they should win this."

44 overs - Eng 248-3:
We haven't seen a boundary for almost seven overs - and that run stretches even further as five runs - all singles - off Afridi nudge the scoreboard towards the target figure.

From Carole in Maidenhead, TMS inbox: "I think our man Strauss would have a ring-pull can, thus negating the requirement for any opening implement whatsoever."

43 overs - Eng 243-3:
Shoaib Akhtar's radar needs adjusting as he sends down a wide to left-hander Morgan. Andy in the TMS inbox points out that both teams were 221-3 after 40 overs, so the result is hardly a formality. However, Shoaib's eighth over is not very good, too many deliveries for both Strauss and Morgan to cash in and keep the scoreboard ticking over the required run rate.

From Tony, Durham, TMS inbox: "My viewpoint on Trott is he is a good player, solid, patient, builds an innings slowly....does not appear to play rash shots. Are these the qualities needed in the short format, I believe he may be somewhat of a one-trick pony..oh but what a trick...for Tests!! There are other players in the wings for the shorter format...even Cook, who can get runs quicker!!"

42 overs - Eng 234-3:
The batting powerplay is still to come as England knock off another six runs from their required total. Afridi's beard is superb, isn't it? A truly wonderfully kept thatch of black hair.

41 overs - Eng 228-3:
Kammers, Kammers - another edge goes down, but the poor lad had about 0.00025485% chance of holding on to that such was the deviation off Morgan's bat. Strauss nonchalantly adds a couple of doubles as if he was opening a can of beans. Would Straussy take a can opener with him if he ever went camping? Or would he be a proponent of the Swiss army knife?

40 overs - Eng 221-3:
Whoops - the previous entry should read three not two wickets. New man Eoin Morgan, a man with ice coursing through his veins and arteries, joins his Middlesex colleague at the crease, although Afridi is spitting feathers once again as Kamran Akmal drops what his captain believes is a catching opportunity down the leg side. But replays show no contact with the bat. Poor Kammers, the boy's had it tough this summer.

39.2 overs - Eng 220-3: Wicket Collingwood ct Sub (Azhar Ali) b Afridi 19
Colly attempts the expansive field-clearing spank, but gets a little too much of the bottom of the bat on the stroke, sending the ball straight down Azhar Ali's throat at long on. That's woken up a few thousand people.

39 overs - Eng 218-2
Strauss misses out on an extravagant sweep against Hafeez from outside off stump, but the runs are simple to pick off with the field spread to all corners of Headingley. England's required run-rate hits seven on the nose. You would think they should do this without too many concerns.

38 overs - Eng 213-2
Afridi is absolutely livid as a thick outside edge clatters off Paul Collingwood's boot and loops over Kamran Akmal's left shoulder. I'm assuming Afridi is seething because he thought his keeper could have snaffled that - two words: "dream" and "on". No real control from the Pakistani captain today, who leaks seven runs from his sixth over. He's gone for 45 too.

From Eric in Dukinfield, TMS inbox: "How about Roger Daltrey as a "substitute" fielder?"

37 overs - Eng 206-2
The humungous figure of Mohammad Irfan is down on the turf with one of his oak-trunk legs in the air with a team-mate stretching it this way and that to rid his weary limb of excess lactic acid. Gul is fresh as a spring daisy though, bustling in with the verve and enthusiasm of a teenager, keeping a tight rein on the runs before offering a gimme with his very last delivery - short and wide outside off stump, allowing Strauss to free his arms and smash the ball down to deep point for four.

36 overs - Eng 201-2
Risky business from Strauss, almost reverse sweeping Ajmal to Umar Gul at short third man. Colly plays and misses as Ajmal maintains his around the wicket ploy but cannot prevent Strauss from bringing up the England 200.

From Hugh V-R in Totnes, TMS inbox: "'Ian 'Beefy' Botham at Cow Corner?"

35 overs - Eng 198-2
How about Scarlett Johansson at fine leg(s)? Anyone? Anyone? Umar Gul, sporting 55 on his back, not his batting or bowling average I can confirm without needing to delve into the stats pages, returns to try and crowbar an opening. Two Pakistan fans dressed in some indescribable garb are looking decidedly nonplussed as England add four more singles to their tally.

From Richard in Tamworth, TMS inbox: "Geoff 'Boycott' once refused to take the field."

34 overs - Eng 194-2
New man at the crease Paul Collingwood is off the mark with a hack into the offside, handing the strike to Andrew Strauss, perched on 99. His first delivery is defended admirably with a straight bat before the final delivery of the over is turned away into the leg side for a well-deserved ton. Well steered Skip.

From Richard in Tamworth, TMS inbox: "So, Pranav, Trott continues to receive more than his fair share of criticism. Could you please remind us of his international averages in all forms of cricket please. Debate is now open. You're welcome."
Touche, Richard, touche.

32.3 overs - Eng 189-2 WICKET Trott run out 51
Umpire Billy D turns down yet another lbw appeal as he attempts to sweep Hafeez, much to the all-rounder's chagrin, but Trott is dithering out of his crease looking for a leg-bye and Shoaib Akhtar's direct hit catches the number three a good six inches out of his ground. So there ends an uneventful - but thoroughly effective - innings.

32 overs - Eng 186-1
This game is rapidly slipping out of Shahid Afridi's grasp. With little option he turns to Saeed Ajmal, who provokes Trott into playing an aerial sweep, but the ball lands some way short of the hapless Mohammad Irfan, who right on cue fumbles the ball as he attempts to launch his throw back to his wicketkeeper. The two runs see Trott to his fifth one-day 50 from 67 deliveries. Simple this game, hit the ball, run a bit - and do it all over again.

From Andy Stott in Greenfield, TMS inbox: "I once played with a Harry Lime who regularly fielded at third man, honest."

31 overs - Eng 181-1
Mohammad Irfan, the subject of a string of jeers from the Western Terrace for some pretty average fielding, is spanked for three successive boundaries by Strauss. The first a touch fortunate as a thick outside edge rolls through the vacant slips region, the second is blasted through his favourite backward point region before the third is dispatched over midwicket, despite Umar Gul's dedicated but ultimately fruitless dive. Strauss moves to 96, four runs short of what would be his fifth one-day century.

From Ed, TMS inbox: "Given their respective marketing campaigns, may I suggest Shane Warne and Graham Gooch at extra cover?

30 overs - Eng 167-1
Trott chops a straight delivery destined for his middle peg down to third man off Hafeez before dropping to one knee and launching Mohammad Hafeez high over midwicket for only his second boundary of the innings, a stroke which takes him two runs shy of his half century.

From BBC cricket correspondent on TMS: "Shahid Afridi reminds me a bit of Arjuna Ranatunga in the field - he does a lot of arm-waving, and if he ever makes a mistake, it's somebody else's fault."

From Paul in Lancs, TMS inbox: "The prison population has risen from around 40,000 to some 80,000 in the last 20 years. Has Her Majesty's pleasure also doubled in that time? If not, then surely we can't claim that prison works."

28 overs - Eng 158-1
Afridi slides a sharp delivery down leg, evading Kamran Akmal's gloves and down to the boundary for five wides. Poor Mohammad Irfan is being tormented by the Western Terrace following a couple of fielding fudge-ups as Strauss seamlessly moves into the 80s.

From Dave, TMS inbox: " Just heard on TMS that Mohammed Irfan is fielding at long leg. Any other examples people can recall of players fielding in appropriate position? As a start, did Little Harry Pilling ever field at short leg?"

27 overs - Eng 147-1
Even Kamran Akmal's incessant chirping isn't as annoying as it could be. Afridi returns, only to be spanked for eight runs as the duo bring up their 100-run partnership in the most non-descript fashion. Dull but incredibly effective. Trott has only hit one boundary.

26 overs - Eng 139-1
I think I just heard a patron bite into his apple in the Kirkstall Lane End so muted is the atmosphere, a complete contrast to the Pakistani fans' histrionics when Kamran and Hafeez were going ballistic. New man Mohammad Hafeez and his brand of twirlery does little to stem the current wave of indifference at the ground.

25 overs - Eng 134-1
Ajmal isn't getting any dice with his feared doosra as Trott and Strauss move their second-wicket stand into the 90s.

From Peter, TMS inbox: "I can't tell a lie, I am in the nick for various crimes against budgies. "

24 overs - Eng 129-1
Shoaib Akhtar looks more like Sam the Eagle from the Muppets the more I see him. It's the nose... The Rawalpindi Express is bowling more like a weekend rail replacement service at the moment, although he's hardly getting any assistance bowling at pace on this track. Four more.

From Rob, a stone's throw from Armley nick, which is itself a stone's throw from Headingley, TMS inbox: "Big Ian and Big Dave, I believe the expression is 'at Her Majesty's leisure'. I have been assured that HM takes little pleasure in detaining anyone."

23 overs - Eng 125-1
Deft sweep from Strauss, turning his wrists at the last moment off Ajmal to guide the ball fine and past the despairing chase of fine leg. A camera close-up reveals two young ladies fast asleep. Must have heard the chat-up lines of some of my colleagues.

From Big Dave, still supervising those detained at Her Majesty's pleasure, TMS inbox: "I can confirm to 'the management' I don't know a Big Ian."

22 overs - Eng 117-1
More smart fielding from the tidy Saeed Ajmal, leaping to his right as the ball spins viciously spins off the turf in front of him at deep midwicket as Strauss swots a short-arm pull off Shoaib Akhtar, preventing what would have been a thoroughly unfortunate boundary. England are in control, no demons in this pitch - little spin or seam - so logic dictates sensible batting will earn victory number two.

From Anon, Kent, TMS inbox: "Yoof of Today; at my local rural hostelry this lunchtime, we were appalled to see the following spectacle; a group of 15 Uni students and post-grad workers behaving sensibly. A party the night before, they'd gone swimming or running this morning, and come to pub to have only food and soft drinks, before going back to study this afternoon...To make matters worse, they were clean, tidy and polite and didn't ask for tabs. We Was Shocked! As we grew up in the '70s, we can't comprehend today's Yooof not coming to pub on Sunday lunchtime, dribbling and whimpering with hangovers, bit smelly, having several pints, and a packet of salted peanuts as a nod to nourishment. What has the world come to?!"

21 overs - Eng 112-1
Any of those detained at her Majesty's pleasure reading? Anyone? Saeed Ajmal returns but his mojo is a little off-kilter as Trott works four runs - two doubles - off his second over.

From Big Ian, also watching on the BBC web pages whilst supervising those detained at Her Majesty's pleasure, TMS inbox: "I would like to point out to any management reading that the Big Dave I am working with is not the one who sent a message earlier."

20 overs - Eng 107-1
Which idiot said this game was dull? Strauss skips down the track and smears Shahid Afridi high over deep midwicket for six, a stroke which brings up his 23rd one-day 50. Dull. Pfft, as if.

19 overs - Eng 98-1
It's about as exciting as an autopsy right now as the dependable Trott and the stolid Strauss eschew extravagant strokeplay in favour of single-nurdling.

From Christopher, TMS inbox: "I was at the Somerset v Essex CB40 semi-final yesterday (I'm a Somerset supporter), and was confident that Essex would never reach our score of 312/6. However Foster and Wheater put on a rapid sixth-wicket stand which threatened to take Essex to an unlikely win. I was desperate for the loo, and when Foster was caught at long-on I went to the loo, only to find that the last four wickets fell before I got back to my seat, so I missed the end of the match. Not how I wanted the last home match of the season to end, even though we won!"

18 overs - Eng 93-1
Almighty appeal from Afridi, likely to have woken anyone falling asleep under the Money section of the Sunday Telegraph, as Trott pads a straightish delivery. Nigel Llong says no - and so does Hawk-Eye.

From Big Dave, watching on the BBC website, whilst supervising those detained at her Majesty's pleasure, TMS inbox: "Again I'm disappointed with the inability of this current England skipper to 'walk' (remember the Test match when a referral had to be used, embarrassingly for Strauss) we all cry out loud when the Pakistan team or the Aussies do it. This gets me, Strauss be honest you know when you have hit or gloved it!!"

17 overs - Eng 89-1
Gul is steaming in, hitting the 90mph straps and once again beats the outside edge of Strauss's bat. Just three runs from the over, including a wide. Bit quiet in the world of text and emails, someone cheer me up with a misfortunate tale.

Michael Vaughan on TMS: "One of Jonathan Trott's strengths in Test cricket is that he doesn't hit the ball in the air, but he's got to take a chance here and not get bogged down."

16 overs - Eng 86-1
Delicate from Strauss, dabbing the newly introduced Shahid Afridi through backward point for four. The England skipper looks composed although he does have the habit of surrendering his wicket at inopportune moments in the one-day game.

15 overs - Eng 78-1
Strauss skips down the track but doesn't quite hit the ball as cleanly as he would like, but gets enough willow to clear the rather pathetic leap of Mohammad Yousuf at mid-off. And he's gone! Err, what's happened there? Strauss quite clearly made contact with a delivery which has come back off his pitch and brushed his glove before Kamran takes a good one-handed catch diving to his right. But umpire Billy Doctrove shakes his head like a dad asked by his eight-year-old son for a new video console game. Bad call there, Strauss knows it too. Trott is fortunate not to chop the ball onto his stumps a few deliveries later.

14 overs - Eng 74-1
Aha, here comes Pakistan's potential match-winner. Impressive start from Saeed Ajmal, beating the outside of Trott's bat mixing up his doosras with his off-breaks. Just one run conceded.

13 overs - Eng 73-1
Strauss wafts lazily outside off stump, a loose-wristed swot akin to playing a backhand deep in the corner during a game of squash off Umar Gul, but regains his composure to collect a couple with his favourite swipe through point. Trott, affectionately known as "Leon" by his county team-mates, is a touch fortunate to pick up his first boundary of the day, a thick outside edge through the vacant slip region.

12 overs - Eng 66-1
Irfan sends down what can only be described as a "long yorker", which sounds more like a euphemism. Strauss once again shifts his legs outside off stump, allowing him to free his arms and scythe the ball through backward point for a thoroughly convincing boundary before stealing a single off the last ball of the over.

11 overs - Eng 60-1
Umar Gul has his first pop with the white ball and doesn't set the world alight, allowing new man Trott and Strauss to add singles galore.

10 overs - Eng 54-1
Thoroughly impressive fielding from Umar Gul on the ropes, diving full length to his left to prevent a certain boundary, some sort of Fly-type experiment has gone on here, that's the only way I can explain the complete contrast in fielding between the two sides so far. No real menace from Irfan so far, but he does do a decent line in post-delivery stares.

From Noorel , via text 81111: "Lovely to see some good cricket being played."

9 overs - Eng 50-1
Strauss hits a lead edge miles into the air and to safety, adding a couple to his tally before he is beaten by a doozy of a leg-cutter from the redoubtable Shoaib. Even at 35 he's steaming in with more puff than a Flying Scotsman. Some unorthodox butchery from Strauss, backing away to leg before pummeling Shoaib back over his head for four. Effective but not what one would call aesthetically pleasing. And would you Adam and Eve it, Irfan's fluffed a regulation catch straight into the bread basket at short fine leg. There's no way you can hide this boy in the field.

8th over - Eng 44-1
Mohammad Irfan's height reminds me of a story involving a former housemate's grandmother. After catching an eyeful of my semi-tall other housemates, she promptly declared we would be the right boys to "go apple picking with". I'm 5ft 10. On reflection, she was about 4ft something so even Prince would be a giant in her eyes. Irfan maybe the right man to go apple picking with, but he's also the right man to keep a rein on England's stroke-making antics too, beating Strauss outside his off stump before conceding a solitary single.

7th over - Eng 43-1 Wicket Davies ct Kamran b Shoaib 26
Dismissive from Davies, lustily flicking Shoaib off his hips past deep square leg for four, before beating the lumbering Mohammad Irfan at short fine leg with a leg-side tickle for a second successive boundary. But the Pindi Express produces a beauty outside off stump which Davies nudges to Kamran Akmal. Not much he could do about that.

6th over - Eng 33-0
Ah Miggins, you've returned - would you mind awfully refreshing your web browser to see who's writing this gubbins? Ithangyou. Mohammad Irfan, EH? Surely he should be playing centre for the Detroit Pistons than bowl semi-menacing left-arm seam down to this left-handed opening duo. Davies punches a spectacular drive down the track, the four is just about to go in the book when Saeed Ajmal dives full length - a la Gordon Banks 1970 v Brazil - to prevent the boundary.

5th over - Eng 31-0
More steady singles from the England openers, this game is shaping up nicely. Davies clips Shoaib from off stump through cow corner, safely, for four - and having served as text commentary pinch-hitter once more, I'm going to hand back to Pranav for the rest of the game. Enjoy...

From Amir Mir on 606: "Mohammad Irfan looks taller today. His dad, mother, sister are all taller than him - the great Waqar Younis said so!"

4th over - Eng 24-0
Strauss goes for an extravagant pull, Pakistan appeal loudly for a catch behind, but umpire Nigel Llong shakes his head. Strauss indicates that he feels the ball grazed his hip, and TV replays vindicate the skipper. No review system in place for these one-dayers, remember. Single from Strauss, then Davies joins him in double figures by flaying a four through the covers and lifting a single over the leg-side infield which reaches the mid-wicket sweeper on the bounce. Strauss nicks the strike again, but he is the captain after all...

3rd over - Eng 17-0
Lovely cover drive brings Strauss four against Shoaib, which prompts Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi to remove the solitary slip fielder and plug the gap at extra cover. The England pair scamper a quick single to rotate the strike for the first time, then Davies takes one hand off the bat as he turns a single off his legs. Strauss pushes Shoaib, who's bowling over 90mph, for a single off the last ball and England should be happy with this start.

2nd over - Eng 10-0
Mind your heads - Mohammad Irfan, all 7ft 1in of him, will share the new ball. Some good work by Asad Shafiq at point keeps Davies on nought for the first half of the over, but the Surrey man eventually opens his account by pulling a short ball through mid-wicket for two. Umar Gul sprints round the boundary like a man possessed to cut off the four. Irfan is a little short and wide at this stage, and Davies punishes him with a powerful square cut for four similar to that employed by his captain.

1st over - Eng 4-0
Shoaib's width strays with his second ball, and Strauss punishes him with a savage cut for four. But England hearts are in mouths when the skipper gets a genuine edge to the next delivery, which falls just short of slip. Strauss negotiates the over.

1428: Ladies and gentlemen, the Rawalpindi Express is now departing from the Kirkstall Lane End... Shoaib Akhtar is taking the first over. The giant Mohammad Irfan is in at leg slip, somewhat bizarrely.

1424: The only recent time I've been mistaken for someone in a cricketing context was at the start of this year in Cape Town, when I was up on Table Mountain (having taken the next cable car after the one containing Graeme Swann, Alastair Cook, Luke Wright and their partners). A couple of young England fans excitedly asked me "are you the Barmy Army trumpeter?" and were quite disappointed when I wasn't, even though I don't look like him, and I certainly wasn't carrying a trumpet... We're nearly ready to begin England's reply, with Cap'n Strauss and Cabin Boy Davies striding to the crease.

From Richard Carpenter, Camberley, TMS inbox: "I was once confused for George Michael in a bar in Osaka! The group of flustered Japanese ladies had several photos taken with me, whilst my onlooking colleagues stared agog! My similarity to George Michael is akin to Sir Boycs' similarity to Stuart Broad!"

1418: England's fielding errors, as Alfie notes below, are getting plenty of airtime on the television replays. Their fans will hope today is an aberration rather than a retrograde step. Meanwhile, as the county chat continues on TMS, you can read a full preview of the County Championship climax on the BBC Sport website - which will also be your one-stop shop for the final round of games, with live text commentary, a special programme on BBC 5 live sports extra with reporters at all the significant games, and as usual, BBC local radio commentary on the majority of games.

From alfie on 606: "England have done well to keep them under 300 (just) after the opening stand, on this pitch. (And despite some strangely off colour ground fielding.)"

1406: Some good chat on TMS at the moment about county cricket, featuring Kevin Howells, Vic Marks (wearing his Somerset chairman of cricket hat) and others. Vic is explaining what a good signing Murali Kartik has been for them.

From Geoff, Welwyn, via text: "Further to other mistaken identity stories; about five years ago I was taking the last train from London, and was approached by a gentleman asking me to talk on his mobile to his girlfriend a 'huge fan' of mine. I was perplexed, he insisted I was Morrissey. He got the right hump when I told him I wasn't. Now, at the time, I had a similar haircut (I had hair then), and he's a good looking man, which is flattering, but at the time I was only 25, and Mr Morrissey was in his mid-40s."

1355: Afternoon to you. While Pranav heads off on his scavenger hunt, I invite you to manually refresh your page (pressing F5 or whichever method you prefer) - not only will you see a change of byline above, you'll also see England's victory target appear above.

1348: One is ravenous, one will scavenge for semi-edible remnants of sustenance under artificial lights from any form of catering outlet on this campus. One will return shortly but one leaves you in the capable hands of Sir Mark of Mitchenershire.

50 overs - Pakistan 294-8:
With little option but to thrash, Alam does just that, swatting the penultimate ball over point and down to the boundary for four before drilling a single to mid-off. Good fightback from England after the tourists dominated the early stages. Pakistan would probably have taken that total before the start of the match, but they really should have had at least the triple ton on the board following their impressive start.

49.4 overs - Pakistan 289-8: WICKET Ajmal ct Strauss b Broad 4
The stocky Saeed Ajmal wafts two down to deep square leg off Broad before giving Alam the strike with four balls to go. Fawad shifts across his stumps with the intent to loft the ball over short fine leg, but he's fortunate just to evade the Sussex all-rounder and keep his wicket. But Broad has a wicket from the next delivery as Ajmal swats a simple catch to Strauss at cover.

49 overs - Pakistan 285-7:
Bres finishes off the batting powerplay with another yorker, which Alam can only drill straight back to the bowler. That's 39 from the five-over period, along with four wickets.

48.4 overs - Pakistan 284-7: WICKET Gul bowled Bresnan 3
Lovely crisp drive from Gul which has sufficient wheels to reach the boundary had it not been smartly cut off by Andrew Strauss at mid-off. And Bres cleans up the number eight with a beaut of a yorker, right at the toes. Pakistan's powerplay is turning into a bit of a nightmare.

48 overs - Pakistan 282-6:
Well, the 300 had been on the cards with Afridi still wielding his sizeable willow, but instead five singles are scored from another tidy Anderson over with Umar Gul joining Fawad Alam.

47.2 overs - Pakistan 278-6: Wicket Afridi ct Strauss b Anderson 9
Afridi goes inside out to a full-bunger from Anderson, but toe-ends his stroke high into the air, giving Strauss enough time to take a safe catch over his shoulder.

47 overs - Pakistan 277-5:
Stuart Broad's slower bouncer is coming along a treat, although Fawad Alam slaps one through backward point, past the diving Paul Collingwood, for a welcome boundary. Good wheels from Broad, ramping up to 90mph and stinging the gloves of Alam, who manages to eke a single. Batter up! Afridi slugs Broad straight back over his head for an arrogant six, the type of bludgeon you would see at Yankee Stadium rather than at Headingley. The magic 300 mark is still on.

From Dwight, Wiltshire, TMS inbox: "12 years ago, a group of young 'ladies' in a Tenerife nightclub refused to believe that I wasn't the BBC's very own Trevor Nelson and insisted on having their photograph taken with me despite my protestations. Apart from sharing a skin colour and 'hair' style, and a similar(ish) taste in music, Mr Nelson and I have, as far as I'm aware, little or nothing else in common. Indeed, he has a London twang versus my Mancuncian accent but they were insistent and wore me down. I imagine they were convinced once they had the photos developed though!"

46 overs - Pakistan 264-5:
Anticipation reaches fever pitch as Afridi takes guard after Alam nudges a Anderson full-toss into the leg side. His first delivery is greeted by a chorus of shrieks - and it was only a mis-hit aerial drive. Imagine what would happen if he really gets one off the screws... However, he can only add one more to his total as Anderson hurls down a very tidy over towards the business end.

45 overs - Pakistan 259-5:
New man Fawad Alam steals the strike with an aerial pull, which means Afridi has yet to face a delivery.

44.5 overs - Pakistan 258-5: Umar Akmal ct Davies b Broad 28
"Boom Boom Boom, let me hear you say Shahid - SHAHID!" Out comes Afridi, although the captain is at the non-striker's end as Umar had crossed with Shafiq. And the junior Akmal unleashes three successive boundaries - the first over extra cover, the second fed through point and the third is a little belter, opening the face of the bat to run the ball fine through slip. But Umar perishes attempting a similar shot from a shorter-pitched delivery, edging into the grateful gloves of Steve Davies.

44.1 overs - Pakistan 246-4: Wicket Shafiq ct Bopara b Broad 50
The powerplay is signalled - but calamity for Pakistan as the well-set Shafiq top-edges a slower-ball bouncer from Stuart Broad to Ravi Bopara, who takes an excellent catch at backward point despite running into captain Strauss moving around from cover.

From James Clack, TMS inbox: "Rain delays and watching Gary Sobers (40 overs) - losing the archives was, in my opinion, the greatest loss of cricket moving from BBC to commercial networks. Adverts, 'jargon buster' and the hyperbole-fuelled Mark Nicholas were all annoying, all the more so during the inevitable rain-delays when commentators were desperate to fill the hours. A rain break following an inevitable England middle-order collapse (probably involving Messrs Hick and/or Ramprakash)? Slap on the West Indies during the 70s/80s, job done."

44 overs - Pakistan 246-3:
A tight single off James Anderson brings up Asad Shafiq's first one-day 50 off 57 deliveries, top knock from the 24-year-old from Karachi. Must be powerplay time now, surely?

43 overs - Pakistan 241-3:
Wonderfully placed square drive from Umar Akmal, opening the face of the bat and guiding Tim Bresnan for a wonderfully timed boundary, greeted by a blast of Marina and the Diamonds' Hollywood. Wonderful song - "Oh my God you look just like Shakira, no no, you're Catherine Zeta". She does as well. Four singles - including two leg-byes - and it's all looking good for the tourists.

Duncan Fletcher on TMS: "It's going to be very important how these two use the batting powerplay - they can't just leave it all to Afridi."

42 overs - Pakistan 233-3:
James Anderson is left frustrated as a half-hearted lbw appeal squirts past Steve Davies and down for a fine boundary - all leg-byes - as Pakistan mount their final assault. Still no batting powerplay taken, so expect that to be utilised very shortly.

41 overs - Pakistan 226-3:
Sir Bres of Nan mixes up his deliveries, but Umar and Shafiq are a savvy duo, spotting the variations and adjusting their strokeplay accordingly. Five more to the total and anything short of 300 would be wasteful with this sort of start. I can't imagine Shahid Afridi is encouraging his players to nurdle singles in the dressing room right now.

40 overs - Pakistan 221-3:
New man Umar Akmal joins the antics, but he's merely a spectator as Shafiq shifts down the track and slaps Graeme Swann high over his head for a huge straight six, his follow-through nearly clatters into his backside, which evokes memories of Sir Gary Sobers (well, what glimpses I caught of the great man during rain breaks at Edgbaston during the 1980s).

39 overs - Pakistan 212-3: WICKET Yousuf ct Davies b Broad 46
Woeful, truly woeful fielding from England. A double misfield this time as the ball bobbles out of James Anderson's grasp before Ravi Bopara fumbles the pick-up running in off the boundary, Broad is absolutely livid. Seething. And he reaches bursting point as MoYo saunters down the track to swat him over midwicket for a dismissive boundary. However, Broad channels his anger in the right fashion and gleans an obvious outside edge off MoYo's bat and into the gloves of Steve Davies.

From Tony, text 81111: "I once had to produce my passport to convince a couple i was not the guy convicted of robbing them."

38 overs - Pakistan 204-2:
The Swannage returns and concedes a solitary single.

From Greg, Churchtown CC, text 81111: "You're use of the word 'marmalised' has taken amateur cricket by storm. Its replaced the outdated 'slog' and 'cow corner'."

37 overs - Pakistan 203-2:
Horrid aerial swipe from MoYo, but he gets sufficient willow to clear point for a couple off Stuart Broad. First play and miss for eons before a potential run-out, but Colly fumbles at backward point, allowing both batsmen enough time to return to their respective creases. Shafiq capitalises on a short and wide delivery outside off stump, threading the ball through backward point for his third boundary and bring up the Pakistan double ton.

36 overs - Pakistan 195-2:
Shafiq heaves Bresnan mightily over long-on for a once-bounce four before expertly guiding a single down to third man. A powerfully struck MoYo square drive brings up the 50 partnership in just 56 deliveries. Very impressive - and with further pyrotechnics to come from Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi, Pakistan could either finish with well over 300 - or all out for 200.

From Mark Gardner, TMS inbox: "Amateur Photographer comes out weekly on Tuesdays."
Aren't you the lead singer of former shoegazing band extraordinaire Ride?

35 overs - Pakistan 186-2:
Shafiq is rotating the strike like a seasoned pro, dabbing Yardy here and there while MoYo plays a couple of expansive drives, some more convincing than others, but with England's field spread to all parts of Headingley, there are doubles a plenty.

34 overs - Pakistan 180-2:
Better over from Bres, who has another lbw appeal turned down, probably a fair decision too. Just two runs added.

From Simon in sunny Wiltshire, TMS inbox: "I was once approached by an elderly couple in a theatre foyer who were convinced I was their son. Subsequent meetings with them at the same theatre, when they produced photographs of their son, showed I did indeed have a striking resemblance to him, but I still think they should have known their own child."

33 overs - Pakistan 178-2:
Wallop! Unbelievable tekkers from MoYo, sauntering down the track and marmalising Yardy high over long-on for a sumptuous six, a stroke met by a shrill chorus of banshee-like wailing from the green and gold faithful. But what was more amazing about that shot was it was all wrists not brawn, awesome, awesome shot. He follows that up with a subtle sweep for three. The Yards looks like someone has nabbed his unread copy of October's Amateur Photographer from the dressing room.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan on TMS: "If they want to post 300 plus, one of these two players has to score 80 to 100."

32 overs - Pakistan 167-2:
Tim Bresnan returns for a joust and immediately has a confident lbw appeal turned down by Dr Doctrove and yet again replays suggest the ball would have clattered into the stumps. However, there was a double noise which suggests bat-pad, but Hot Spot indicates it was the other way around. Harold Bird, no relation to basketball legend Larry, is in the Headingley house as Pakistan eke four more.

31 overs - Pakistan 163-2:
MoYo launches a mis-hit sweep off Colly high into the air but Eoin Morgan can't quite cling on to what would be the catch of the summer. MoYo and Shafiq merrily plunder away.

30 overs - Pakistan 158-2:
All you crazy stats fans, that was the highest first-wicket stand ever by Pakistan against England in a limited overs match. Yousuf attempts a reverse sweep off Swannage but the ball deflects off his arm and into the face of wicketkeeper Davies, who does well to evade a face full of leather.

29 overs - Pakistan 154-2:
Shafiq gets in on the boundary-hitting exploits, smearing Colly over backward point for four, as well as a couple through cover. This pitch has absolutely no demons in it, flat as a Dutch pancake.

28 overs - Pakistan 146-2:
Some lady stopped me in the street this morning and stared at me for a good three seconds before mumbling an apology about mistaking me for someone else. Anyone else had a random person stop them in the street for absolutely no reason whatsoever? Pakistan add three more off Swann.

27 overs - Pakistan 143-2:
In comes new man Asad Shafiq in only his third one-day appearance for his country. Awful, awful fielding from the hosts, some of it has been a little too village at times - and not in a funny way either. Delicate from Yousuf, opening the face of his bat to guide Colly fine through the vacant slip region for a couple. Add those to four singles and you don't need to be a genius to work out that's six from the over.

25.5 overs - Pakistan 137-2: WICKET Hafeez bowled Swann 43
Swann breaks out the "The Steaming Teapot" move as Yousuf's deft late cut evades the dives of Stuart Broad and substitute Luke Wright running around from third man. Wonder if that will make a Tweet later doors. Four more runs for the most hirsute man in world cricket. But Swann eventually snares the breakthrough, bisecting Hafeez's breaches with a flatter, faster delivery.

25 overs - Pakistan 130-1:
The singles jamboree continues as Pakistan trudge along merrily without too many issues. Colly's off-cutters are turning more than Graeme Swann's off-breaks.

From Tom, London, TMS inbox after watching Brian Close against Michael Holding: "Personally, having watched, I prefer the one that was popped up at the end...Cricket hurts."

24 overs - Pakistan 126-1:
Green star on a green cap? Madness, I did of course mean yellow. Ooooh! Mohammad Yousuf is thoroughly fortunate to be at the crease as William Doctrove (as his mother might call him if he hasn't done the washing up or not put the dishcloth back on its place on the radiator) turns down a very confident appeal. Replays show the ball would have hit the top of leg stump as Yousuf sweeps a straight ball.

23 overs - Pakistan 123-1:
New man Mohammad Yousuf eschews a helmet in favour of a green cap decorated with a yellow star, nudging a Colly off-cutter through midwicket for his first run of the day.

From Wayne Davey, Cornish Pirates Rugby Club, TMS inbox: "A group of us in the 'Pride of Paddington' pub in London , watching the match in Leeds. This evening they have a Pakistani Elvis impersonator on stage - Amaal Shukkup. What a great name."

22.2 overs - Pakistan 121-1: WICKET Kamran lbw Collingwood 76
Colly works wonders as he traps Kammers in front attempting to sweep a ball which strikes him just in line with his off stump. Billy Doctrove, who turned down a couple of decent appeals earlier, points skywards. Top knock though, thoroughly entertaining.

22 overs - Pakistan 121-0:
Better over from Swann, rationing the galloping Pakistani duo for a mere two runs.

21 overs - Pakistan 119-0:
Akmal cuts the ball from under his eyes, slicing the ball past backward point for four. The green and gold faithful are absolutely loving it - to be fair, after the summer they've endured, who would begrudge them? PS I meant to say "into a popular video-sharing website" after Holding. Really, do it.

20 overs - Pakistan 111-0:
More runs, four of 'em, as Kammers gleans the finest of deflections to guide the ball past Steve Davies. There's another Yorkshireman, Brian Close. If you're too young to remember that name, type in the words "Brian Close Michael Holding" into a popular video-sharing website and marvel. Close was 41 at the time he faced possibly the fastest over known to man. And wearing no helmet.

19 overs - Pakistan 105-0:
Ray Illingworth's beverage of choice has drawn derision from the man to my left, who insists it was lager. Surely not? A Yorkshireman only drinks bitter, no? Kammers plants his front foot down the track and smears Yardy past deep square for delectably swept four. The boy is on fire this morning.

18 overs - Pakistan 97-0:
No turn for Swann to play with so far, allowing Kamran to dispatch him with a peach of a late cut past gully for boundary number nine, while another misfield - England have made more mistakes in the field this morning than the whole of the Test series - allows the opener to add another single to his tally. Finally, some turn for the off-spinner as Kammers opts for another late cut, but is fortunate just to land the ball a couple of feet in front of Eoin Morgan at point. Former England captain and not particularly successful selector Raymond Illingworth is among the glitterati in the crowd, sipping some form of hops-based beverage.

17 overs - Pakistan 91-0:
Chance of a run out as both openers stutter mid-pitch off Yardy, but James Anderson throws at the wrong end and the half-opportunity is snuffed out. Kammers brings up his 50 in as many balls with an off-side push, while Hafeez rolls out an expansive cross-bat drive-type shot, all effort and grace but earns only one run for his efforts. Time for drinks.

16 overs - Pakistan 88-0:
England's fielding, which has been as crisp as a fresh orchard apple this summer, has been horrendous this morning, exemplified by a misfield by Paul Collingwood during Graeme Swann's first over. Good start from the tweaker, whose introduction is greeted by a chorus of "booooooos" from the clearly sizeable Pakistani contingent, leaking just three. Strap yourself in folks, we're into the middle overs. Forgive me if I snooze off at any stage...

15 overs - Pakistan 85-0:
Broad continues and serves up a juicy half volley outside off stump, but Hafeez drills the ball to the off-side sweeper for a single, much to the opener's chagrin - that was a boundary ball if I've ever seen one. Still nothing to trouble either opener so far, clearly celebrating Eid ul-Fitr with a run feast in Leeds. About time too.

From Andi in sunny Taunton, TMS inbox: "Seems like the first time we've heard any Pakistan supporters at a match! Adds nicely to the atmosphere, I think."

14 overs - Pakistan 82-0:
As expected, on comes Michael Yardy. I had a conversation with Ben Dirs and Tommy Fordyce about trying to describe Yardy's left-arm bowling without using the word "darts". Impossible. I said it was like trying to describe Jack Russell's batting without using the words "dogged" and "unorthodox". Anyone have any plausible suggestions? Meanwhile, Kammers plunders four more with an authoritative aerial drive over mid-off.

13 overs - Pakistan 74-0:
Better line from Broad, taking the pace off the ball and pitching it up, allowing neither batsman the opportunity to unfurl the cross-batted stroke. However, a couple of singles and a push through the covers allows Pakistan to glean four. Unbelievably, for probably the first time this summer, Pakistan are batting with composure and intelligence.

12 overs - Pakistan 70-0:
More tekkers from Kamran, once again utilising his supple wrists to thread the ball past backward point for four as Anderson's line starts to err. Two wides follow and it's time for captain Strauss to start searching for bowling alternatives. Pakistan are as comfortable as a Frenchman living next door to a boulangerie.

11 overs - Pakistan 63-0:
Hafeez throws the full gun at a full delivery outside off stump, but a rather large outside edge earns him a fine boundary past the helpless Steve Davies. Poor bowling from Broad, digging in a short delivery but the ball just loops off the pitch, allowing Hafeez to rock on to his back foot and smash the ball past deep square leg for his fourth boundary of the morning although the opener has to dive at full length to get back into his ground after he is sent back by his partner following an ill-judged call for a quick single. Pakistan are rolling along at a rate of knots - more hovercraft than pedalo.

From James, Tunbridge Wells, text 81111: "Wise words Pranav. I am Kloot or Weller were more deserving winners [see 1014], but The Corals album is even better. Expecting a full-on Pakistan batting collapse on a par wit United's defence in Fergie time yesterday."

10 overs - Pakistan 55-0:
For some reason drinks are summoned for the Pakistani batsman. Thirsty? THIRSTY? IT'S ONLY 40 MINUTES SINCE WE'VE STARTED! It's not even hot, it's Leeds. Billy Doctrove turns down another lbw appeal, a close one too, but replays confirm the West Indian official's instincts as the ball would have bounced over middle and leg. Kamran fashions a couple down to third man with a well-directed steer, while a misfield from Yardy, actually, more a brutal bobble as he attempts to gather, earns Hafeez a single.

Former England coach Duncan Fletcher on TMS: "One area that Pakistan will be concerned about is that Hafeez is playing out too many dot balls - he needs to rotate the strike more and get Akmal on strike."

9 overs - Pakistan 50-0:
Hafeez notches his first boundary with yet another wristy flick over square leg for four off Broad, following that up with a well-timed push past the bowler and the rather lazy slide from James Anderson at mid-off, a four which brings up Pakistan's 50 in chop-chop time. Broad, who likes to cut stares that could cut through bank vaults at offending fielders, eschews giving Anderson, probably England's most consistent fielder, the eyes.

8 overs - Pakistan 42-0:
Like an 18th century military general, Hafeez has yet to get his hands dirty, preferring instead to leave the cut and thrust blood-curdling action to his opening partner. He nurdles a single off Anderson, who continues to be tighter than a gnat's pocket while his bowling brethren are profligate.

From Mark on a train, text 81111: "Poor planning again for transport no taxi's and a lack of publicity over trains to the ground. Must be about 300 at the train station waiting to get up to the game."

7 overs - Pakistan 41-0:
On comes SCJ Broad, son of BC Broad, another cricketer in the "my second name is my first" school of thinking, like IVA Richards and CG Greenidge and RC Russell (hang on...). Broad serves up a juicy half-tracker outside off stump, launched high towards deep point for four by Kamran before a sweetly struck aerial drive over extra cover, his seventh boundary of the morning. Looks like this is a belting track for batting. And for what feels like the first time this summer, I hear the strains of "Pakistan Zindabad!"

6 overs - Pakistan 33-0:
Still plenty of people bustling in queues outside the ground, which is annoying (if you're waiting) or encouraging (if you're the ECB and Yorkshire CCC). Another tight over from Anderson, who almost snares Kamran with a short delivery but the wicketkeeper's mis-hit pull just about evades midwicket for a single.

5 overs - Pakistan 31-0:
Kamran continues his boundary-smashing exploits with another stellar drive through the covers before a fine leg glance, via a deflection off his thigh pad, squirts past the diving left glove of Steven Davies. He finishes off the over with a beautiful drive on the up, pushing gently on the up past the astonished Bresnan - the ball was by no means there to be driven - for the third boundary of the over.

4 overs - Pakistan 19-0:
No buffet bowling from Anderson, so Hafeez puts away his extra large plate in favour of a straight bat. Maiden over.

From Anon, text 81111: "Just hope your cricket chat is more intriguing than your lazy music review."
Hang on, are you Ollie from The xx?

From Timothy Heap, TMS inbox: "Pranav, a kiss at the end of a text to a friend is mandatory regardless of gender. Call it bromance if you feel uncomfortable. The problem comes when through force of habit you start leaving hugs and kisses at the end of messages to your boss..."

3 overs - Pakistan 19-0:
Kamran latches on to a shortish Bresnan delivery with another wristy flick, but this time with a flat bat through deep square for four. He follows that up with a sumptuous on-drive for a second successive boundary. A class shot worthy of the MCC coaching manual. Strong start for Pakistan.

From Lee in Durham, TMS inbox: "Re 10:14 XX is perfectly acceptable. General rule is: x is polite, xx is friendly, xxx and your in trouble. xxx"

2 overs - Pakistan 10-0:
Rubber wrists from Kamran, casually flicking a stray James Anderson delivery off his hips and down to deep square for the first boundary of the day. Our Kammers hasn't been in the best of nick this tour, but that was a shot straight out of the sub-continent school of flickery. Umpire Billy Doctrove turns down a huge appeal for leg before - quite right too, with the ball drifting down leg, but apart from the first ball from Bresnan, there has been zilch movement. The sun is belting down over Headingley, although the temperatures aren't quite as high.

1 over - Pakistan 6-0:
Tim Bresnan, on home soil, dishes up an absolute ripper first up, moving considerably off the wicket as Kamran attempts an audacious drive through the covers, but making contact with nothing but fresh Yorkshire air (best'n worlt). Better from the opener, pushing a couple through the covers while a wide and a leg-bye get the extras off and running.

1015: Out come openers Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez. Game on.

1014: Having bought The xx album and pretty much ignored it since its release, I gave the long player another spin this week fresh from their Mercury Prize-winning exploits and have concluded that I was right the first time around - three good songs and the rest are a bit meeeerrragh. Tangentially, I received a text message - from a man - this week that ended with "xx". Is that right?

1010: Still don't understand why Pakistan have ignored Abdul Razzaq. Answers on the back of a supermarket receipt please.

1004: So England, fresh from a 24-run win in Chester-le-Street on Friday, are unchanged. "It's pretty dry and we'll try to put on a decent score," says Shahid Afridi, a man who speaks with the alacrity of Fernando Alonso's Ferrari at full pelt, at the toss. And the tourists are unchanged too.

Michael Vaughan on Twitter: "Just on my to the Home of cricket...headingley... Expecting to see Cows,horses, superman, buzz light. Year and the Queen in the crowd.."

0954: Hello you, and you - oh, you're here too. Best get on with it - Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat.