Comparing colossi

England’s cricketers came rudely down to earth in the rose-red sandstone of Lahore, and they remain in the old Punjab for another week as they endeavour to pick up the pieces in the one-day rubber which begins today. Less than three months after the heady Ashes parades they began the Test series as warm favourites, but after their batsmen wantonly surrendered a winning position in the first match at Multan they were seldom in the ball park as a suddenly vibrant young Pakistan team, under the shrewd guidance of English coach Bob Woolmer and serenely avuncular captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, grew into men in front of our very eyes. To be honest, the victory gladdened the spirits as it palpably cheered a country beset by so many recent tribulations, not least the ongoing aftermath of a gruesomely savage earthquake. The home players have given their entire match fees to the relief funds — and England, I fancy, might well be donating a few more batting collapses for the cause in this one-day series, for Pakistan with their tails up have always been terrific performers at the shortened game.