Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad *Jan21 - Jan 25 2006*

[fair_balance]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

Any target with more than 4 runs/over on last day of game is dangerous. Give indians a target of 250 in 62 overs, They will do it. :D

[Captain1]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

@dhobi_bhai

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.

Around 32-33 overs will be available before lunch tomorrow, if Pakistan can somehow manage 5-6 runs average we can add 170-200 runs (but that is big task to do) plus 130 lead already means leaving around 300 target for India. You spoke my mind about India going with Sehwag and Dhoni as openers, when both of them fall before reaching target India can always go back in the turtle shell with Laxman, Dravid, Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Irfan, Harbhjan.

[brahmachari99]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

I sincerely hoped Mohammad Asif got some wickets in this test. Everyone knows how well he bowled, but without wickets to show for it, some screwed-up higher ups in the PCB might want to replace him with Mohammad Sami in the Karachi Test.

[brahmachari99]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

@Captain1

Around 32-33 overs will be available before lunch tomorrow, if Pakistan can somehow manage 5-6 runs average we can add 170-200 runs (but that is big task to do) plus 130 lead already means leaving around 300 target for India. You spoke my mind about India going with Sehwag and Dhoni as openers, when both of them fall before reaching target India can always go back in the turtle shell with Laxman, Dravid, Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Irfan, Harbhjan.

Remember South Africa just lost a Test to Australia after setting them around 300 to win on the last day.

[sherrybaba]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

@Some1

All of you...who think India will try to chase anything above 250 after lunch...are kidding yourselves.

In the best case scenario, Sehwag will play his aggressive self and make the target seem gettable for the other batsmen.

However, if Sehwag falls early, I have no doubts India will withdraw into a shell.

like it or not...this test match is 99.99% DRAW.

Not only that,assuming there is no batting collapse, Pakistan will not give a target anything below 350. Inzi's approach is usually defensive so he will make sure his team is atleast guaranteed a draw and hope that a 5th day pitch can cause a collapse in the indian batting lineup. With so much in stake I doubt any team will be willing to take a chance.
Atleast with the Aussies you could have expected an exciting finish. There is a reason they are a number one team.

[skhan]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

According to Inzi's interview last night on Geo, he said Pakistan will make another quick 150 runs before declaring. That's just a target of 280 odd, and with the confidence the Indian batting has right now, they can achieve it easiliy even in 50 overs. I would be very surprised at such an aggressive declaration. There is still 1 test match to go, I don't see any reason why we should let Indians go 1 up in the series.

Even when South Africa declared recently it was because it was the LAST match of the series and they were one down.

[brahmachari99]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

@skhan

According to Inzi's interview last night on Geo, he said Pakistan will make another quick 150 runs before declaring. That's just a target of 280 odd, and with the confidence the Indian batting has right now, they can achieve it easiliy even in 50 overs. I would be very surprised at such an aggressive declaration. There is still 1 test match to go, I don't see any reason why we should let Indians go 1 up in the series.

Even when South Africa declared recently it was because it was the LAST match of the series and they were one down.

Inzi never makes aggressive declarations. There's no way they'd set a target of 280 and invite India before lunch.

[The_Curmudgeon]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

It will be a miracle if India can chase anything over 200 on the last day. The team has amazed me that they chased 600 monster targets and met them twice in a row with Shoab breathing fire. I will not count on Shoab and Kaneria to be ineffective a 3rd time.

BUT....it is time for miracles! Go India!

[nikhil25]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

wtf....Sehwag down with food poisoning

i blame ISI

[skhan]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

what a yawn, and we were talking about a declaration?

[dhobi_bhai]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

Very unfortunate news. Shoaib Malik's father has passed away, as Waqar was the first one to point this out during the first over of this morning.

In-Na-Lil-La-Hee-Wa-In-Na-Elaihi-Rajeon. May Allah give him support and strength to cope with this massive tragedy. Truly a great loss, indeed.

[Jazba_pk]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

Man I think if we can get a lead close to around 300 give or take 10-20, by lunch i say put em in! if u remember in banglore i think sehwag got out just b4 lunch and most of our damage was done after lunch! no way this match can be compared becaise of momentum but i always think you should b agressive

[Sehar]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

@dhobi_bhai

Very unfortunate news. Shoaib Malik’s father has passed away, as Waqar was the first one to point this out during the first over of this morning.

In-Na-Lil-La-Hee-Wa-In-Na-Elaihi-Rajeon. May Allah give him support and strength to cope with this massive tragedy. Truly a great loss, indeed.

Inna lilahi wa inna elaihi rajioon.

[Jazba_pk]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

n e 1 who is watching, what does it look like, are they just seeing off intial overs before attacking, or are they just looking 2 b really careful!

[dhobi_bhai]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

What a slow start by Pakistan this morning. I (like Waqar) was expecting some fireworks, and got turtle-shells instead. The crowd is going nuts and the atmosphere is similar to that of Pak/Ind '96 Quarter-Final. They need to step up to the plate, and make runs quickly and efficiently (damnit, I am still frustrated at them of not sending Afridi to open - big loss).

[_Zaalim]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

@Umar Talib

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.

I am glad someone finally said that. I don’t remember if he was bowlnig Rzzaq or Asif at that time, but I was going insane that he wasn’t bringing Shoaib back into attack. Not becuase Asif or Razzaq were bowling badly, just that Indian tail enders would have found it harder to handle Shoaib’s pace. Upper order batsmen aren’t always intimidated by extra pace, but lower order batsmen ARE! It’s no use bringing Shoaib back once the batsmen have already settled in.

[dhobi_bhai]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

@Jazba_pk

n e 1 who is watching, what does it look like, are they just seeing off intial overs before attacking, or are they just looking 2 b really careful!

As or right now, both attacking bowlers (RP Singh & Irfan Pathan) have maintained a pretty good line and length, and have beaten Kami's bat a couple of times with excellent deliveries. There were a few that were straying down leg-side, and were punished accordingly, but so far, Pakistan is looking to be on the defensive side (at least Kamran is looking to open his arms more than Younis).

[nikhil25]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

@dhobi_bhai

What a slow start by Pakistan this morning. I (like Waqar) was expecting some fireworks, and got turtle-shells instead. The crowd is going nuts and the atmosphere is similar to that of Pak/Ind '96 Quarter-Final. They need to step up to the plate, and make runs quickly and efficiently (damnit, I am still frustrated at them of not sending Afridi to open - big loss).

what? i only saw a couple sections in the stands that had dense population…otherwise most of the stadium looks to be empty.

[Jazba_pk]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

i see the odd boundary is coming so thats good, being an internal optimist i really do believe we can win!

[dhobi_bhai]

Re: Pakistan vs India 2nd Test Match @ Faisalabad Jan21 - Jan 25 2006

Kamran Akmal gone, caught by Anil Kumble off of Pathan.