The npower 2-Test Series between Pakistan and England was drawn after some breathtaking excitement. Now what's in store with the two hopping over to the NatWest ODI Triangular with Australia? Well nothing less than a cricket funfair!

While Australia's been pampered by cricket media worldwide as undisputed favorites, one should not lose sight of the glorious uncertainties of cricket. We all know it's a strange and awfully startling sport, one day it raises a team to the summit and then hurls it down without notice. The unpredictable nature of Pakistan, which at times works to its advantage, is well known but what about England?

After the impressive victory at Lords England looked like having conquered every mountain but fell flat at Old Trafford. Could anyone have ever imagined England's good lower order collapsing miserably twice in a match losing 5 wickets for 9 and 4 for one run? Pakistan's proverbial 'unpredictability thus denying England the honor of winning the opening series of the new World Test Championship as well as depriving them of a record 5th successive test series victory.

That's what cricket is all about. Records, statistics and reputations can wither away if conditions are not favorable, the team loses concentration for a while or lady luck looks away and its often mayhem on the field. So let's defer our opinions and assessments for the time being.

Pakistan and England meet in a day/night curtain raiser at Edgbaston on June 7. It's a 10-match competition in which each team faces the other thrice followed by the final, we'll need to wait till at least round one is over to know which way the storm is blowing.

Both England and Australia were the exponents of forming separate teams for tests and one-dayers but this idea did not really bring astonishing results. Perhaps considering this a trend, Pakistan too has followed suit. Three players were replaced out of the test squad and the likely team for this contest may pinch-hitter Shahid Afridi coming in as the opener with Saeed Anwar and Shoaib Akhtar taking over from Azhar Mahmood.

Afridi, who holds the world record for the fastest ODI century is certainly very talented and apart from his ability to hit a six with the mere flick of his wrist, he's also a useful leg spinner. Shoaib Akhtar, however, needs little introduction, well known enough for his ambition to break the world speed record, for suspected and cleared bowling actions, frequent physical break-downs and a jet-setter lifestyle. After the long guidance session from Dennis Lillie and Darryl Foster, it will be more of a trial series for him. Whether he routs out the opponents or breaks down himself, only time will tell!

No doubt Australia is a well-balanced side in all departments but the thoughts expressed lately, that England wobbles at their very sight or Pakistan is scared may not be true. Both the Aussie's opponents have their strong points, while England enjoy the home advantage Pakistan has rejuvenated with morale up and fighting spirit restored after the Old Trafford victory.

Pakistan may have come out of the dreadful shadow cast by Caddick and Gough, it's now England's turn to counter the Wasim, Waqar, Saqlain and Shoaib battery with courage and look after its tail, they don't need it to twist again and again.

If we consider the short Test Series as a yardstick, the two teams are very evenly poised for the opening contest at Edgbaston. While England will depend on Graham Thorpe, Vaughan and Trescothick for their terrific batting form, Pakistan will depend largely on Inzamam and Youhana, hope for Saeed Anwar to regain form and expect Shahid Afridi to put the stadium on fire.

From all counts, it's expected to be a very exciting affair. With both sides knowing each other so well, the attacks and counter-attacks will be really worth watching and may the best team win.

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