Pakistan have their work cut out when they face England in the second ODI on Sunday. The team is short of confidence, and good bowlers. While the batting has been a problem that has continued to hurt them throughout the summer, the bowling offered some solace. But the loss of Mohammed Amir and Mohammed Asif to spot fixing allegations has hurt the bowling department and now the bowling looks as weak as the batting.
For all the hype that young Mohammed Irfan created, he did not live up to it. He was targeted by the English batsmen in the first one dayer and he succumbed to the pressure. 
The one good thing is the return of Shoaib Akhtar who was excellent at Chester-le-street but wasn’t rewarded with wickets.
The batting also was decent and looked compact for a change. Pakistan would welcome Kamran Akmal’s return to form. The wicket keeper batsman who has so far had a horrendous summer, batting woes on the pitch and match fixing allegations off it, finally got his first half century. Fawad Alam and Umar Akmal had good outings as well.
England would want to keep the momentum going. Though the spot fixing allegations have taken the sheen of their successes this summer, nothing can take away the fact that they are a wonderful side in making. Steve Davies played a lovely innings and fitted in perfectly in the absence of Matt Prior and Craig Kieswetter. England however, would have been worried about their catching. Kamran Akmal was offered two lives off two balls and he went on to score a half century.
Pakistan need to win this game for multiple reasons. The win would restore some confidence and would also help to clean its image which has been tainted by the allegations. But it is hard to fancy their chances. Mohammed Irfan injured himself during the game and did not complete his spell. Umar Gul was hit all around the park and had 67 runs scored off him in six overs. Wahab Riaz had a horrible time in the second T20 game and also has an enquiry next Tuesday regarding the spot fixing scandal.