England's Test season has been given an unexpectedly high-octane finish as they head to Lord's trying to reassert their authority over Pakistan and prevent the visitors pulling the series back to 2-2.
While a remarkable turnaround of this sort was never dismissed as impossible - Pakistan have built a reputation around being unpredictable, after all - few would have backed the visitors after they were thrashed by 354 runs and nine wickets in the first two Tests at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston.
Mohammad Yousuf's Lazarus-like return to Test cricket was a catalyst for last week's fittingly dramatic four-wicket scramble to victory at The Oval, but Steven Finn insisted: "having Yousuf in the team doesn't make them a different team at all". His impact, though, was clear.
As important as the runs Yousuf scores his calming effect on the batsmen around him - Azhar Ali being a prime example - should not be underestimated. His 56 in the first innings set up Pakistan's first total over 300 this summer and when he departed for 33 in their second innings chase the panic and indecision that have plagued the visitors' young batsmen came flooding back.
For England, Lord's offers a chance to throw off the creeping doubts that have hung around despite a successful run in the past year which has included regaining the Ashes and drawing in South Africa. Despite all the talk of focussing on the task at hand the looming Ashes rematch has been a constant sub-plot to the season.
Can Kevin Pietersen can get his strut back? Can the seam attack show their mettle when wickets cannot be picked up at will? Has Alastair Cook's Oval renaissance marked an end to his recession or is he heading for a double-dip? Still lots of questions, and just one Test left.
