Pakistan v England: Stuart Broad cuts loose to put tourists in the driving seat One possible solution would be for batsmen to practise, then play, in the kind of thin, moulded pads wicket-keepers wear. The smaller target area would not only be harder for bowlers to hit but would force batsmen to use their bats more often and in better ways, without compromising tried and trusted techniques. Obviously a problem is presented when a fast bowler is on at the other end, but it would not be long before somebody came up with pads that could be reduced in size with a swift tug at the Velcro. Broad would not have needed them as he came out with the plan of putting bat to ball, and then succeeding in ways that might have surprised even his dad, Chris. Broad junior scored 169 against Pakistan at Lord's in 2010, on a seamers" pitch, but this was a complete contrast being against chirruping spinners and close fielders. But if the shots employed differed, the controlled aggression behind them did not, as he and the tail gave England their precious lead. It was apparently England's intention to play shots form the outset on Friday, but only Broad rode the tiger without looking vulnerable. Had Pakistan been able to catch, Matt Prior and Ian Bell would have both been out in the first two overs of the day. Unlike them, Broad managed to play with enough freedom to strike boundaries (six fours and a six) without looking as if he was risking the crown jewels, though much of that insouciance probably came from not being considered a bona fide all-rounder, at least not yet. England could play five bowlers every time if he shifted to seven in the batting order and Prior went up to six, but expectation tends to reduce choice among batsmen not increase it. England will probably want to leave things as they are after the last four wickets added 100 runs. Since the start of 2011, their tail has averaged twice as much per wicket as the next best team, New Zealand, though that could be seen in two ways. Graham Gooch and Andy Flower work hard at improving England's lower order batting and deserve a share in any plaudits, but you could argue that England's tail might not need to excel if the top order were doing their job. With only Jonathan Trott to offer some sort of reciprocity with the ball, England's batsmen have to find other ways of helping the bowlers most notably in the field. With so few dismissals coming from catches they have been under-utilised, though Kevin Pietersen had the chance to make amends by running out Shafiq when the batsman was on 26. Charging in from extra cover his underarm throw missed the stumps from five yards, though he did manage to break the stumps after tripping over the diving Shafiq. He left the field for treatment and did not return, but all signs are that he is fine and ready to play the innings on Saturday that will enable England to hopefully level the series.