Fletcher accepts series is beyond England’s reach

ENGLAND coach Duncan Fletcher has accepted his team are almost certain to suffer their first Test series defeat for two years.

Fletcher’s Ashes heroes have been unbeaten since their last visit to the sub-continent when they lost 1-0 to Sri Lanka - but after a demoralising third day of the final Test at the hands of Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf there appears to be no way back.

Yousuf (183no) was the principal reason for England’s suffering. But Kamran Akmal (115no) played his part in a record sixth-wicket stand, and the tourists’ only success was the wicket of nightwatchman Shoaib Akhtar as Pakistan powered into a first-innings lead of 158 on 446 for five.