Will be posted here.
Karina's Day One
On a glorious and sweltering day in Multan the real test between Pakistan and India started off with a bang, courtesy Virender Sehwag who was still at the crease at close of play.
Stand-in captain Rahul Dravid started the feel-good proceedings by winning the toss and electing to bat. On a pitch that will suit spinners as the days wear on, he will gamble on his batsmen putting up a big total in the first innings and the bowlers putting enough pressure on Pakistan to enforce a result. The first part of his plan is going well, with India racing to 356/2 and looking good for at least another 200 runs if the batsmen motor along sensibly. The game however, is open to all, and it’s anybody’s guess what the scorecard at the end of day three will look like.
The day belonged to Sehwag who played some sublime strokes interspersed with brutal whacks that left the fielders standing in place. A score of 228 is rarely reached without giving a couple of chances to the fielders, and Sehwag was lucky to be dropped twice before he’d reached his hundred: the first by Sami off Saqlain, and the second by Saqlain off Akhtar. It really was an agonizing day for Pakistan’s bowlers in more ways than one!
Special credit must go to Akash Chopra, the test find of the season. Phlegmatic and over-protective of his off stump, he is the perfect foil for his cavalier partner at the other end. Chopra plays test cricket from a bygone era, when batsmen wore down bowlers with sheer obstinacy. Seeing him and Sehwag together is like seeing the perfect blend of old and modern.
The Pakistan bowlers did a good job of keeping the extras down. Saqlain was targeted for some special treatment by Sehwag. It would not be surprising if it was a deliberate ploy to upset his rhythm and make his teesra go awry. It might have been a good idea to pick Kaneria for the test, if only for the surprise value.
It’s been a good day for India but it will all go to waste if batsmen fall to reckless shots tomorrow. Judging from the body language of Sachin and Sehwg, though, they are looking to dig themselves in for a long partnership.
saby's Day One
Pakistan has the tendency of relying on past reputations rather than following aussie approach of 'horses for courses'. Cricket pundits all over the world stay confused as to why such a talented bunch of cricketers does not produce results more often. One reason is the uncalled for uncertainity and confusion often exhibited by pakistani think tank.
If Shoaib Akhtar protested on the pitches made for the Bangladesh series last series, today he had the right to go on a hunger strike after seeing the pitch in Multan. Its beyond common understanding who transformed this sporting pitch into a gift for one of the strongest batting lineups. To top it off, pakistan dropped the most successful bowler from SA test series, danish kaneria and included four seamers on such a pitch. Decisions like these are as mind boggling and only the decision makers can explain it after such domination by opposition.
Sehwag and Chopra dominated the early spirited bursts from Shoaib and Sami. Sehwag was at his savaging best throughout the day. He ruined the early efforts of Saqlain and hit him out of the attack everytime he was brought in the attack. Pre lunch session saw barrages of mis-directed boucners from pakistani pacemen. After lunch Sehwag went berzerk and runs started flowing at a breezy speed. Saqlain, making his come back tried ot make an impression by dismissing chopra was slightly on the impressive side in his first 5-6 overs. Sami who is usually such a safe fielder did not help the case when he dropped a sitter and Sehwag made it count big time.
Indians are in such a strong position that we can expect them to totally out bat pakistan out of the game unless any bowler produces an inspired spell early tomorrow morning and bring any semblence of fight back into picture. As thigns stand now, Pakistan mustbe ruing dropping Kaneria from the team and catch offered by Sehwag.
Karina:
Day 2
India’s declaration at 675/5 stranded Tendulkar on 194*. It must have left millions of fans shocked, but such is their faith in Dravid’s honesty that no house will be blackened in rage.
The pitch being benign, the Indian think must have reckoned that the bowlers would need extra overs if they were going to get a break through. Normally 10-14 overs before stumps is enough to test the opposition in fading daylight. The decision would have been hailed as a good one if a Pakistani wicket had fallen, but now it seems stupidly cruel to have deprived Sachin the chance to reach 200 in Pakistan.
Records tumbled on the second day as Sehwag and Sachin batted on and on. Sehwag’s mother had demanded a triple century from her son and the plea must have touched Pakistani fielders for they messed up slip catches and an easy run out. When Sehwag lifted a Saqlain delivery into the stands to reach his 300, it seemed as if Hayden’s record was within reach, but Taufeeq held onto a catch finally, dismissing Sehwag for a magnificently wrought 309.
Pakistan’s openers started off well, playing Irfan Pathan and the new ball watchfully. Pathan’s swing looked more dangerous than Shoaib’s pace, but it remains to be seen how the young bowler holds up tomorrow if faced by rampaging batsmen. One important advantage that India has over Pakistan is in the spin options, with both Sachin and Sehwag able to give Kumble a rest in between long spells.
After seeing Pakistan’s appalling fielding and the disastrous results reaped by it, it is imperative that Indians not be caught napping on the field if they are to put any pressure on Pakistan. Under a merciless sun and around a dead pitch, it will be easy for the mind and reflexes to become sluggish. It will take all of Dravid’s adroitness to save this match from becoming another batting exhibition. It is the least he can do after declaring like a man missing his train.
saby:
*Day 2 *
Pakistan held the most number of records in world crickets some three-four years back but since then, pakistan has provided others the opportunity to score records against them. Today, on the second day of cricket test match, sehwag surpassed several records but could not surpass the biggest magical figure of 380 and pakistan avoided further embarrassment.
The day started with some whole hearted efforts of Shoaib, Sami and Shabbir but every time they ran in, they faced determined yet belligerent Sehwag and resolute yet classy Tendulkar. Sehwag rightfully eyeing maiden triple ton by an indian was extremely cautiuos in the first hour yet runs flew in at a rapid pace. By lunch, Indians made sure that no collapse is in sight and india cannot lose this match. Every time some real effort by a pakistani bowler resultant in a mistake by Sehwag, Pakistani fielders negated it and made sure he stays there for his triple ton. Shabbir was the unluckiest bowler. During one single over, two catches were dropped behind the stumps and Sehwag duly dispatched subsequent deliveries to the fence just to rub it in. After his dream triple ton against Pakistan. Sami who was probably the only bowler to consistently peg batsmen back and create troubles was rewarded when sehwag edged a rising delievery to slip and Taufeeq Umar surprised everyone by holding on to this knee high chance. Tendulkar, Laxman and Yuvraj continued the run feat to further sap the morale of pakistani bowlers and fielders alike and finally Dravid ended the agony at 25 runs short of one hundred. Taufeeq and Imran Farhat successfully saw out the remaining overs.
Pakistani fielders were at thier horrible best and dropped at least half a dozen chances and missing runouts. Its hard to recall a worse fielding performance from this pakistani side. Bowlers were not far behind either. Only Sami had something to show for his efforts, rest could blame on their indiscipline, dropped chances and pitch. But fact remains the same; this test series was billed as contest between indian batting and pakistani bowling and Indians have set the tone in a perfect manner, no matter how unsporting the pitch was. It would be interesting to see if paksitani batsmen play with same ease or not. They have a daunting task to bat out three days not to win, but to save the match and show some character and the whole nation is in for three uncomfortable days.
saby's summary:
*Day 3 *
Pakistan showed some semblence of resistance on third day but things are far from secure at the end of third days. The day was full of fluctuating fortunes and indians finally wrested the initiative and one wicket too many tilted the balance towards the determined indian team.
The day started with Taufeeq Umar struggling to find the touch that made him such a successful test opener and was soon on his way. Imran Farhat stroked few elegant boundaries before being out done by Balaji's delivery. Two in form batsmen for pakistan, Inzi and Yasir joined together to provide pakistan an important partnership that put pakistan on top for the first time in the match. Inzi who never seemed like getting out, was patient for the loose balls putting them away in disdainful fashion. When he is batting with such ease, you often wonder if Imran Khan has always been right about him not realizing his true potential. Today it seemed there are only two ways he was going to be dismissed; a run out or a mistake by umpire and the later case exactly happened when Simon Taufell misjudged a decision in India's favor. Yasir was at his free flowing best and his contest with Irfan Pathan was an intriguing sight; two new potential stars of world cricket were fighting it out and trying to wrest the initiative. Yasir executed quite a few deleciuos strokes on both sides of the wicket off Zaheer and Irfan but in the nineties he got a bit tentative that resulted in his dimissal. Yousuf youhana played a re-assuring innings of 30-odd runs before becoming victom of another wrong decision by Taufell. These thigns happen but Youhana looked in fine touch after all this hoopla about him the main reason this pitch is so benign. Razzaq showed us his dogged resistance after his devestating hitting in onedayers and he will carry the major load of hopes on his shoulders when he resumes his innings tomorrow. Moin Khan who always seem to just score runs in such situations was outdone by a masterful googlie by Sachin. Moin's frequent gutsy knocks are becoming more and more sporadic and he will have to answer his critics with a bang, like he always does. It would be intersting to see if he still has what made him the fighting tiger as we all know him.
With the pitch already showing some variable bounce throughout the third day, pakistan's task is becoming more and more difficult with each falling wicket. Can Saqlain stick around with Razzaq long enough to see pakistan through the safe mark? We shall know tomorrow.
karina's take:
Day 3
As Tendulkar bowled the last ball of the day, a nervous Moin failed to read the wrong one. The off break nipped his stumps and a joyful Indian team leapt up, knowing that they had Pakistan on the back foot at last. It was a terrible blow for Pakistan, for if anyone was needed to keep one end up with Razzaq, it was Moin. The Pakistan tail now finds itself in the unenviable task of fending off the follow on, with unpleasant memories of the last match at Lahore still fresh in their mind. In that match the tail had capitulated meekly when they were a mere 45 runs away from India’s total of 293. Tomorrow the target is 112. Can they do it?
India started the morning session well by getting the wickets of Yasir Hameed and Taufeeq Umer. But it was Inzimam who was always going to be a threat. Much like in the old days, when the opposition said ‘get Sachin and you get the match’, is the feeling reserved for Inzimam. He frustrates the bowlers completely. Say whatever you will about his captaincy but as a batsman he is crystal clear that his wicket does not go cheap. He added a rock solid 160 in partnership with Youhanna and for the first time it looked as if the Indian bowling was about to go to pieces. His dismissal was unfortunate and underlines yet again the need for ICC to make the game fairer. Of course in the end one can say it all cancels out, that no country or player has gone unscathed, but that explanation provides scant comfort to a public growing increasingly intolerant of ‘human errors’.
Having said that, quite a few marks should go to the Indian team for displaying far more discipline and hunger than the opposition. It’s not an easy wicket to win on, but the bowlers stuck to their task as if it was. They did not stray often. The fielding was athletic, and the seniors constantly encouraged the junior players to keep their chin up.
So now the big question is: will Dravid enforce the follow on if Pakistan fails to avoid it? Either way it will be interesting to see the second act of this match!
Karina's:
Day 4
The fat lady has started to clear her lungs. It’s all but over for Pakistan, and the ruling bodies of Pakistan cricket can take a bow for bringing Pakistan cricket to an all time low.
The fourth day of play highlighted all that is good about Indian cricket, and all that is dank about Pakistan cricket. Today Pakistan played much like the India of old, when players capitulated without a whimper, when centurions stood tall only in losing causes, and when the board and management refused to blame themselves for the rot. Even the fans have reacted like Indian fans of those days: taking consolation in a century here, a brief but tough stand against the bowlers there. It is almost painful to see the reverse side of a team that once defined what battle was all about.
For some time now the new India has been modeling itself on Australia. Get the best coach, the best physio, the best psychologist: the best anything that can change the attitude from loser to winner. Having studied and played Australia quite a few times recently, the Indians realized that discipline and team spirit ranked above talent. The lessons have been learnt. The implementation started. The first test win in Pakistan has been made to look like a cake walk.
At the end of day’s play Yousuf Youhanna stood like a wall between India and victory, at 107*, and India needing just one wicket for a historic win. Once more the Indian bowlers proved what a long way they have come. Supposed to be the weak link in the Indian team, they have made the Pakistani greats look like teddy bears in comparison. Irfan Pathan bowled a tight line and swung the ball both ways. Anil Kumble flighted his deliveries and troubled the batsmen the most. Zaheer Khan was unlucky to have injured himself before the start of Pakistan’s second innings, and thus it is even more incredible that India’s slim bowling attack managed to make steady inroads into the Pakistani batting. All credit to Yuvraj Singh and his magnificent fielding. If catches win matches, a run out leads to a rout. Once he ran out Inzimam for a duck the end was in sight.
Yesterday, Inzimam had shrugged off suggestions that Pakistan needed a bowling or fielding coach. Perhaps it is time for him to have a rethink, or else it might be too late to save the series.
saby's:
Youhana delays a historic defeat for Pakistan
If third day's play showed some determined cricket from Pakistan, fourth day's play was full of resignation and capitulation. The only silver lining, if one wants to see it, is the return to form for yousuf youhana.
First ball of the day from Pathan was no where near a loosener and the day could not have started on a worse note. Pakistan was relying on Razzaq to see them through to safety mark and he departed first ball. His dismissal made frustrated Saqlain and Shoaib to play some insane shots. But shabbir and Sami showed the way with a determined partnership at the end. But it did not last long enough and Pakistan followed on.
Second innings was full of horrors for Pakistan. Counter attack is a word not found in Pakistani think tank's dictionary and incredibly defensive approach in face of some disciplined bowling was a frustrating sight. After some 15-odd overs, Pakistan had lost two openers and then the biggest horror of the match happened. Inzi, who runs so well between the wickets these days was sluggish in takinga run and yuvraj's splendid throw did the trick for india and match was as good as over. Youhana held one end and wickets kept falling at the other end. If Javed Miandad's comments spurred Irfan Pathan to perform better, Imran's similar comments regarding kumble proved to be a disaster. He was at his nagging best today and Pakistanis did not know how to play him. Razzaq, Moin, Sami were back in the pavilion with virtually nothing on the board. Youhana started attacking the bowling with some lusty blows and as a result shoaib defended confidently on the other end. Youhana was under pressure to perform after the rumors that he was the man responsible for removal of grass from the pitch and he did. He held the one end remarkably well and late in the day he made sure along with shoaib and shabbir that Pakistan lives to die another day.
Innings defeats are hard to digest but to see such a humiliation is more difficult to digest. India deserves all the applauds because thy have outthought, out batted, out fielded and out bowled Pakistan in this match. Some serious soul searching is required, no need for whole sale changes but change in approach is needed. We cannot expect a worse come back from saqlain and similar performances from Shoaib and Co. The only way to go is up and all depends on how long Pakistan takes sitting at the bottom and contemplating how to avoid a series defeat. But kudos to kumble and pathan, Indians must be thinking that this is the series they will win outside their home in sixteen years or so after this first win on Pakistani soil.