Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
Dude..It is simple..
It is much easier to bat on first and 2nd day when wicket is new anf there is no wear and tear. With wear and tear it becomes difficult.
Even if you dont understand now then consider this. Why would Inzi bat first in both tests after winning toss.. Samajh me aaya !!!
Now add to it pressure of 600 runs. I wanted you to differentiate between what happened in Multan,Lahore and Faislabad. All flat wickets. See where was result. Then notice who was batting 2nd. :D
Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
Wahi to hamne kaha na..world class batting with one batsman shot, played in 2nd inning, under pressure of 588 runs and still crossed 600.. This is called world class.
Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
The fact remains that India took this match from Pakistan on the third day when India was 281 for 5 down… and I blame the captain’s inane tactics to rest Shoaib for 3 hours when he could have mattered most.
This match was Pakistan’s for the taking – kudos to the Indians who capitalized the opportunity and chugged away towards a draw.
They are not a batsman short instead they have always played with an extra batsmen. Transformation of Pathan to an allrounder gave them the room to balance their team.
Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
I have worked out the reminder of this match. Pak should make a further 180 runs before lunch and declare. Leaving India with 300+ to win in 62 overs. And then, my friends, we have a run-chase-to-remember on our hands.
Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
I would definitely have to say that this is another missed opportunity by Pakistan. If Afridi would have faced the first new ball of third innings, there was a huge possibility that the run-rate would have increased expotentially, and the final score could very well have peaked past 200, if not 250.
The statistics from the current happenings in this test match indicate that in each of the first session of the first two days, Pakistan have scored at an average of 137 runs. Add this to the current total, and we are 11 runs short of 300. I would expect alot more flamboyant stylish batting tomorrow morning, especially from a duo that is known to make dents in opposition bowling (but haven't done so for one reason or another) and a defensive total of 350 on this wicket after being put into bat just a couple of overs before lunch would certainly save this test match from another mockery.
Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
For a successful run chase (based on your theory)…480+ runs would have to be scored in 1 day of the test match. Not sure if that has ever happened before.
Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
Even chasing a total of right around 250 (pre)/post lunch session can turn things very interesting for both sides. A shorter total might force the batsman to go for the runs, hence, will provide a chance on the other end as well to grab wickets.
But that would mean very aggressive batting by Pakistanis. That is exactly the reason for my theory of sending Afridi as an opener. Oh well, we will see in a couple of hours.
Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
I agree that Pak should declare when they reach a little over the 300 mark and they should do so before lunch (dunno how possible that is) - anything more than 350 would put the opposition in defense mode... between 300 and 350 would psychologically seem "gettable" and we'll have the same flair to the last day of the match as if it were a limited overs one-day... a disgrace to the test format really, but please let's have some real competition for a change!
Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
I doubt Pakistanis will take any chances on this wicket. The wicket is so dead, there is nothing for the bowlers even after 4 days. You'll see some balls turn or keep low here and there but it's still batting paradise.
Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
Just for a change, I would really for Pakistan to get the runs as quickly as possible in tiniest amount of time, and put the opposition into bat before lunch. Any total outside of 300 would seem very less likely for the batsman to score (at least from my point of view). A strong lead between 250 and 300 seems a defendable score, and will force the batters to go for a hitting, providing chances to Pakistan in return as well.
Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006
That is precisely the reason why I am suggesting to put the batters in just before lunch (a couple of overs). A strong hitting in, let's say, 5 or 6 overs will definitely turn the tide (at least for a short while) and will make the game interesting afterwards.
Furthermore, I strongly think that Dhoni should be promoted at the top of the order for this innings, solely because of the reason he played Akhtar. There is no doubt that if the situation does come through like most of us have been predicting, his fierce hitting will definitely come in handy. I would really like to see an opening duo of Sehwag/Dhoni. Let Dravid come two down, after Tendulkar. He can always play the anchor role if top-order fails (hence going for the draw), but the first priority should always be a win, and that is by taking risks. Pakistan failed to capitalize on their opportunity to send in Afridi as an opener, and it would be extremely useless if India also manages to do the same.