Pakistan seek killer punch

MANCHESTER, England, July 26 (Reuters) The first test between England and Pakistan resembled a bout between slow-moving, soft-punching heavyweights. Neither ever looked likely to land a knock-out blow.

Old Trafford may serve up more of the same -- plenty of runs and not enough wickets -- when the second test begins tomorrow.

Andrew Strauss's England certainly look short of the firepower required to twice dislodge Pakistan's talented batting line-up.

English fans spent most of the past week praying for the rapid return of captain and all rounder Andrew Flintoff to add bite to the bark, but he is now heading back for another ankle operation and three more months on the sidelines.

To add to Strauss's problems, fast-medium bowler Liam Plunkett was also ruled out with a side strain yesterday.

Pakistan are also hampered by injuries, with strike bowlers Rana Naved-ul-Hasan missing the entire tour (groin) and Shoaib Akhtar still unfit after a stress fracture . All rounder Abdul Razzaq is also complaining of a sore back though he is expected to play.

The return of a batsman rather than a bowler, however, may yet tip the advantage their way in Manchester.

Younis Khan, apart from being a perfect foil for Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf at the top of the Pakistan batting order, is a specialist slip fielder. Had he played in the first test, he would surely have held on to a string of catches that Pakistan shelled in that position to allow England to post 528 for nine declared in the first innings.

Ultimately the Manchester pitch, which is expected to offer good pace and bounce, will hold as big an influence on the result as it did in the opening game.

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