The second Test match between England and Pakistan will begin from Friday, 6 August, 2010. The English side will go into the game with a 1-0 lead after they were clinical in their disposing of the opposition in the first Test match. The victory margin of 356 runs was a true reflection of how the English side dominated the opposition in the first Test.
However, the English side will be wary. After all, the Pakistani sides over the years have shown the penchant to exhibit a rather shocking method of fighting back, something that not too many other sides have. The example of the second test match between Australia and Pakistan at Headingley in the recently concluded series will be fresh in the minds of the English side, and hence, they will look at trying to continue doing their stuff correctly.
The problem that the side may face is with the form of Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook. Both the batsmen are struggling with their batting currently, and the runs are somehow not coming for them. One can be rest assured of the fact that they will be working hard enough at the nets, but with the pressure of the Ashes always existent, it will never be too easy for them. The Pakistani bowlers will look to exploit that chink in the English armours. 
Speaking of the Pakistani bowlers, they have been the shining light for their side. Mohammad Aamer has been especially spectacular, whereas Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul have done a decent job so far. Having said that, Danish Kaneria’s lack of ability to pick up wickets has meant that the side has released him from the side, and he will be replaced by Saeed Ajmal.
It is the batting that has confounded the Pakistani team. And one cannot just blame it on the lack of experience. This is because one gets the sense that the lack of form exhibited by Umar Akmal and the lack of big scores by Salman Butt and Shoaib Malik is also one of the reasons why the side hasn’t been able to get a move on.
Mohammad Yousuf’s entry into the playing eleven is in doubt, as is his arrival date. But one thing is certain, and that is if Yousuf does get to Birmingham before the game begins, he will be a certain replacement for the out-of-sorts looking Umar Amin.
One gets the sense that the English side will go into the Birmingham Test as favourites especially given that Pakistan has yet to win a single game on this ground in the previous six attempts.