Pakistan V India - 1st Test Match.

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41

** Saurav will miss first Test **

Multan: Rahul Dravid will lead Team India in the first Test against Pakistan, beginning here on Sunday. Regular captain Sourav Ganguly, who hurt himself fielding during Wednesday’s decider at the Gaddafi, is now hoping to be fit second Test (Lahore, from April 4) onwards.

“It’s a terrible feeling… It’s crushing… After all, the Multan Test is going to be the first in Pakistan for almost 15 years… Also, it would have been my first (as captain) versus Pakistan…” a dejected Sourav told The Telegraph late on Friday.

While the MRI in Lahore didn’t reveal any “abnormality,” the back pain hasn’t reduced. There’s some swelling too. Physio Andrew Leipus is, of course, working overtime (as usual) but Sourav has ruled himself out for Test No.1.

As of now, there are no plans to fly in a specialist from India. However, the board has told Sourav “necessary arrangements” can be quickly made — if required, that is.

“I’ll be speaking to Rahul and John (Wright) after dinner… The planning may have to be a little different as I won’t be taking the field,” Sourav, who flew in from Lahore earlier in the day, added.

Dravid, incidentally, will be standing in for the second time this season. The first instance was in Mohali, against New Zealand, when a boil-induced surgery forced Sourav to miss the action. As it was then, Yuvraj Singh is going to be his replacement in the XI.
**
Meanwhile, with the wicket having a somewhat green look, the Indian XI could see three quicks. If that does come about, Anil Kumble will be the sole specialist spinner.

One understands Lakshmipathy Balaji and Irfan Pathan aren’t short of support, within the thinktank, and the third slot may be a toss-up between Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar. The latter is coming off an injury, but Zaheer struggled in the just-ended ODIs.
**

It’s going to be a real tough call if, eventually, only two quicks are to be fielded.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040327/asp/sports/story_3053572.asp

Big blow for India. I hope Yuvi takes advantage of this situations and cements his place.If he does then this will help long terms plan of Ganguly of setting him as test match openor.

Another intresting thing is that..it seems Balaji and Pathan are first 2 choices for test match and 3rd one would be either of Agarkar and Zaheer.

I think they should go with Patah,Zaheer and Agarakr.
*

42

Oh no…
Ganguly is in my team :crying:
What should i do now ?? :help:

43

Edit your post and change it if you want.

44

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by fair_&_balance: *

Edit your post and change it if you want.
[/QUOTE]

I will, but in case of TIE i'll blame you :)
or faisal's rule will not apply here;)

45

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by fair_&_balance: *
I think India will play following team..

Akash Chopra,
Virender Sehwag,
Rahul Dravid,
Sachin Tendulkar,
Sourav Ganguly (capt),

VVS Laxman,
Parthiv Patel (wk),
Ajit Agarkar,
Irfan Pathan,
Anil Kumble,
Zaheer Khan

If Ganguly is injured then Yuvi will come at his place.
[/QUOTE]

f&b, on subcontinental pitches....very rarely does India play 3 pace bowlers.... unless Multan's pitch is like the one at Mohali....I suspect India might play Kartik/Powar instead of Agarkar.

46

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Some1: *

f&b, on subcontinental pitches....very rarely does India play 3 pace bowlers.... unless Multan's pitch is like the one at Mohali....I suspect India might play Kartik/Powar instead of Agarkar.
[/QUOTE]

Multan is suppose to be fastest of all pakistani wicket. So I am sure india will go in with 1 spinner and might use Sachin here and there.

47

Test matches are a different ball game: Moin](http://www.thatscricket.com/specials/ind-pak/test/news/2703moin.html)

Multan: The Pakistani bowlers may have failed to “surprise” the Indian batsmen in the One-dayers but wicketkeeper Moin Khan contended that their bowling attack could not be written off on the basis of just one series and it would continue to be their strength.

“What remains our strength cannot be changed in just one series. The known fact is that Pakistanis have always produced great bowlers in the history of the game. And against India, it has been mostly their batsmen and our bowlers,” Moin said on the eve of the first Test in Multan on Sunday.

The former captain admitted that the bowlers had planned to “surprise” the Indian batsmen in the One-dayers but failed to implement them against a formidable and in-form Indian batting line up.

“We had plans to surprise the Indian batsmen. But our bowlers failed to implement them. It was actually quite frustrating. But the ODI series is a closed chapter. Now, it is time to concentrate on the Test matches and remember the way we played at home and away against big teams like South Africa and New Zealand,” he said.

The stumper said the team would have to stick to its plans if it was to come good against an in-form India. “We thought that we had a superior bowling attack in the ODI series. But we all know what happened in the course of the series. Undoubtedly, the Indian batting has the depth and variety to counter the Pakistani bowlers, but we can emerge winners if we stick to a definite plan.”

Asserting that there was nothing wrong with tearaway paceman Shoaib Akhtar’s bowling, Moin said he was not well supported by the other bowlers that made his job difficult.

“Everything is right with Akhtar’s bowling. He is after all our strike bowler. His job is to attack. It does not matter how many runs he gives to the opponents, he is always looking to take wickets. But the rest of the bowlers in the team did not ball too well. They all wanted to get the Indians out and lost control in their bowling.”

Recalling the series-decider which gave India a historic 40-run win, their first on Pakistani soil, Moin said the failure of the top order to lay the foundation for the chase was the main reason behind their failure.

“The top-order failed to lay a foundation for the middle-order batsmen. In the end, we tried our best to stay in contention.”

“We could not collect that many runs in the first 15 overs. It was something the Indians did in the fourth match. In fact, in that particular match, the Indians lost wickets at regular intervals, but they kept the scoreboard ticking,” he added.

48

Pak to have special prayers before 300th Test](http://www.thatscricket.com/specials/ind-pak/test/news/2703pak.html)

Multan: The Pakistan cricket team will have “special prayers” before they take field against India in the first Test in Multan on Sunday which marks the country’s 300th Test.

Incidentally, Pakistan played its first Test against India at New Delhi in 1952-53.

“It is a great occasion for us and we will start the day with special prayers to Almighty Allah before entering the ground for our 300th Test,” said Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

“We will pray to Almighty to help us win this 300th Test. We have already won both the Tests played at this venue,” said Inzamam, a local of Multan who hit two hundreds in the two games hosted so far in Multan.

And one man for whom the 300th Test would be more special is coach Javed Miandad as he featured in Pakistan’s 100th Test and 200th Test as well.

The 100th Test is most remembered for Sarfraz Nawaz’s 9-86 that helped Pakistan beat Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 1978-79. Miandad led Pakistan to a draw in country’s 200th Test, against England at Old Trafford in the 1992 series and his contribution was 88 and 45 in a series won 2-1 by Pakistan.

“It is a great thing to be part of the team in the 100th and 200th Tests and now I am the coach in the 300th Test,” said Miandad.

Miandad hoped his side will make the occasion a memorable one by notching up a win.

“We have worked very hard for the match and I hope the boys realise the occasion is great for us. We would do our best to make the occasion a memorable one for the whole nation,” said Miandad, who hit a century in his 100th Test when India played at Lahore on their last tour in 1989-90.

Miandad holds the record of scoring most runs for Pakistan at 8832 in another record of 124 Tests. He also holds the record of taking maximum catches for Pakistan at 93. Pakistan has won 92 of their 299 Tests before the Multan game, having lost 74 and drawn 133.

49

Yeah man, this Test match is special for both Inzi and Miandad. It will be a great milestone to win the 300th Test match and the series overall.

But, still there are some flaws in the team selection. Wasim Bari wants Shoaib Malik and Razzaq to be in the side. And what is Misbah-ul-Haq doing in the Test squad? Since Younis Khan has been out of form in the ODIs, chances are bright for Misbah, and he should definitley replace him in ODIs. Kamran Akmal should have given a chance, as a backup keeper and batsman.

Shabbir Ahmed wasn't at his best in ODIs. I think it's more related to his bowling action than him being ordinary or pathetic. I'd go for Umer Gul; and I'd like to see, both, Saqlain and Danesh in the first Test match.

50

I would go with this team:
Imran Farhat
Taufeeq Umar
Yasir Hameed
Inzamam
Yousif Youhana
Asim Kamal
Moin Khan
Saqlain Mushtaq
Shoaib Akhtar
Mohammad Sami
Shabbir Ahmed

I have 4 front line bowlers and 6 specialist batsmen. I think it will be wise to go with 3 left-handers because Leg Spinners tend to have difficulties bowling to them and Kumble will be playing for India and he can be a trouble for the batsmen cuz he is somewhat better bowler on Subcontinent pitches. I selected Saqlian over Danish cuz of his experience of the past and Danish had tough time bowling to Bangladesh last year, and i dont think he will give much trouble to Indian top class batsmen.

Good Luck to Pakistan and I hope players/coaches dont make mistakes they made in the OneDay series.

51

As much as i wanna see the traditional 6 bastmen, 1 keeper, 4 bowlers balance in the first test. I suspect pakistan WILL include Razzaq at 6th and include both Saqlain and Danish OR they will include Malik at 6th and include three seamers plus danish.

so i suspect pakistan will go with this line up

Taufeeq
Farhat
Yasir
Inzi
Youhana
Malik/Razzaq
Moin
Shoaib
Sami
Saqlain/Shabbir

52

Spinners’ pitch compels Pakistan to change plans

From Waheed Khan

MULTAN: The Pakistan team think tank was put in a dilemma here on Saturday after one look at the dry pitch prepared for the first Test against India. If the pitch had some grass on it on Friday it was all gone this morning and in the sweltering heat of Multan it had a very dry look about it and the consensus was it would take more spin than usual.

Curators Andy Atkinson and Mohammad Bashir were unanimous in their view that it would play with an even bounce but would start taking spin later on in the match due to the hot weather.

“Usually, we have natural grass grown on the pitch but because of the weather we rolled the grass into the surface with the heavy roller. The pitch has some moisture in it but due to the weather it will develop cracks and help the spinners,” Bashir said.

If anything the dry pitch has now thrown the Pakistan camp into doubt as the plans were to play Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Sami and Shabbir Ahmed with probably Abdul Razzaq at number six as an all-rounder and one spinner.

But now with the changed appearance of the pitch, captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and coach Javed Miandad are pondering over the possibility of playing both the spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Danish Kaneria.

This would be a blessing in disguise for Saqlain and Danish since until this morning Inzamam and Miandad were not sure whom to play although Miandad said he wanted to give the off-spinner a try out in view of his experience and record against India.

But Inzamam had faith in Kaneria because of his skills and recent Test record against South Africa and in New Zealand.

The one piece of good news for Pakistan is that India would be without their captain Saurav Ganguly who is out of the Test with his back problem and that means they can expect less aggression from the Indians.

In comparison stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid is a more orthodox captain than Ganguly whose absence Inzamam said would be felt by the Indians. “Any team that loses its regular captain does feel his loss. I think it is up to us now to take full advantage of this situation. I think we hold the psychological edge over them now,” he said.

The Indians also have doubts about playing both spinners Murali Kartik and Anil Kumble since Ganguly is said to have little Test match confidence in the south paw Kartik. Kumble obviously is a certainity.

Inzamam, who is playing in his hometown also made it clear that he still believed Shoaib Akhtar and Muhammad Sami would be the match-winners for Pakistan.

“Shoaib can cause a lot of damage even on this sort of a pitch. He is capable of producing that one spell that can turn a match and we know Sami is in the same mould. They remain our strength and hope,” he added.

The last time Pakistan played at this ground neither Shoaib nor Sami were available and Shabbir Ahmed, Umar Gul and debutant Yasir Ali had done all the bowling with the first two doing all the damage on a helpful surface in that thriller of a match that Pakistan won by just one wicket due to Inzamam’s hundred.

“This match is an special occasion for me but the entire team is keen to do well as we would be playing against India in a Test match in Pakistan after 14 years,” Inzamam said.

Inzamam’s family on Saturday distributed free food among the poor and needy at a famous shrine in this city during its annual Urs and prayed for the success for Inzamam and the team.

Teams from:

Pakistan: Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Hameed, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq (Capt), Abdul Razzaq, Moin Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Danish Kaneria, Asim Kamal.

India: Virender Sehwag, A. Chopra, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Parthiv Patel, Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Laxmi Balaji, Murali Kartik.

53

**Slow Multan track disappoints Inzamam **

MULTAN: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is not satisfied with the pitch prepared for the first Test against India in Multan. He made it clear this morning that he had been looking for a hard and bouncy track so that Pakistan could play to its strength - the fast bowlers.

“We asked for a hard and bouncy track with some grass on it. But I don’t know what they have in mind. This pitch is too dry and should break up and assist the spinners. We have to think on those lines now,” he said.

Clearly, the pitch has now become a decisive factor in the Pakistan team’s planning as home team pacers were looking to have a go at the Indian batting with its pace attack from the start,

“It is always good to make a winning start to a series. I just think we will now have to forget about the pitch and try to perform to our best and try to force a positive result,” he added.

Pakistan has already lost the one-day series by 3-2 to India and their last hope of restoring pride is to win the Test series. Sources in the Pakistan team said that Inzamam would be speaking to the Board officials about the preparation of pitches for the remaining two Tests as he was worried that Pakistan should not give away the home advantage to the Indians.

“He is concerned because the Indians have a strong batting line-up and are capable of running up big totals on such dry pitches,” the source said.

54

**One-day loss keeps fans away from Multan Test **

From our correspondent

MULTAN: For all the hype associated with the India-Pakistan series, Multan, the hometown of Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and the venue for the first Test starting Sunday, is far from excited.

Multan residents, dejected by the defeat of the home team in the one-day series, have bought only 4,000 tickets for the Test so far, when the capacity of their stadium is 28,000.

If sales do not pick up today and during the five days of the Test, it would mark a stark contrast with the one-day series, which saw capacity crowds at all venues.

The organisers admitted they had not sold more than 4,000 tickets so far and added it would not be easy to get people to attend. “It is very hot here and it is going to be difficult to sustain the interest of the people for five days after the nerve-wracking one-day series,” said Chaudhary Zafar Gadazi, a local leader and cricket fan.

“Nobody likes to watch their own team losing, especially against India. The Pakistani players have disappointed the general public and I don’t think the result will be any better (than the one-day series),” said Liaqat, a college student who lives close to the stadium.

Multan’s son Inzamam is expected to be under pressure to perform. He has already won considerable criticism in the country after the ODI series defeat despite his two fighting hundreds.

An unforgiving media at home has hounded him with uncomfortable queries. However, he is hopeful he will of doing well on his home ground. “Playing in your home town always means more pressure but it can also be a big motivating factor to turn in a special performance,” Inzamam said.

55

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by saby: *
As much as i wanna see the traditional 6 bastmen, 1 keeper, 4 bowlers balance in the first test. I suspect pakistan WILL include Razzaq at 6th and include both Saqlain and Danish OR they will include Malik at 6th and include three seamers plus danish.

so i suspect pakistan will go with this line up

Taufeeq
Farhat
Yasir
Inzi
Youhana
Malik/Razzaq
Moin
Shoaib
Sami
Saqlain/Shabbir
[/QUOTE]

it seems as if both Saqi and Kaneria will be playing after all, saby bhai.

56

^^ then Razzaq will most likely be playing alognwith saqlain and Danish as support.

57

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by saby: *
^^ then Razzaq will most likely be playing alognwith saqlain and Danish as support.
[/QUOTE]

oh no. please God no. I can't bear any more of those floaters that Razzaq serves up for the batsmen to smash in any direction of their choice. :(

58

Here is the team ...

1- Taufeeq
2- Yasir
3- Inzi
4- Youhana
5- Asim
6- A. Razzaq
7- Moin
8- Saqlain
9- Sami
10- Shoaib
11- Danish

59

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by sambrialian: *

oh no. please God no. I can't bear any more of those floaters that Razzaq serves up for the batsmen to smash in any direction of their choice. :(
[/QUOTE]

yeah i know sambs.. he will play because of two reasons. Shoaib specially will bowl in short bursts, sami might be able to bowl in some 7-8 over bursts but shoaib wont be able to bowl such long spells in this heat and to support him Razzaq will be playing IMO.

*Earthquake * Imran Farhat wil play for Asim Kamaal and will open with Taufeeq in all likelyhood.

60

I sincerely hope that Shoaib Malik is not played either. I love the guy but his bowling is barely upto the mark in ODIs, in tests he falls well short. I wanna see specialist spinners if the pitch is indeed a turner not "all-rounders".