India Make History
Saturday, April 17 2004
Friday, April 16, 2004 will go down in history as one of the proudest sporting achievements ever accomplished by the Indian nation. For the first time ever, India exorcised their demons and defeated Pakistan in their own back yard.
After the 'perfect day' for India on day two, in which Dravid's masterful 270 helped India collect 600 first innings runs, it was Pakistan's turn to bat with the same powers of concentration and blunt out two days of test cricket in order to save the match and the series.
The ever improving and ever popular Lakshmipathy Balaji and the new sensation Irfan Pathan struck two crucial blows before the Rawalpindi sun set on day two, and were now back into the attack looking for India's first overseas test series victory since against Sri Lanka in 1993.
The day began in a sensational fashion for Balaji and India, as the gentle medium fast bowler uprooted the off stump of night watchman Kamran Akmal (23), and Pakistan were reeling at 3/64, still with over 300 runs to get in order for India to bat again.
Two old foes for the Indian bowling attack, Inzamam Ul Haq and Yasir Hameed made best of some luck and some wayward bowling from the Indian's. However the Rawalpindi test match was India's and Nehra struck with the all important wicket of Hameed for 20.
With the score at 94, Inzamam Ul Haq fell cheaply to the new unlikely pin up boy of Indian Cricket, Lakshmipathy Balaji. With Pakistan looking down the prospect of a home series defeat, Yousuf Youhana and Asim Kamal set about proving that this Pakistan team has more steel and fight then most expect.
The two putting up an impressive partnership of 85, before the veteran, Anil Kumble struck and had Youhana (48) caught off his own bowling. Sami fell the very first ball he faced and Anil Kumble had India inches away from an historic win.
The home town hero, Shoaib Akhtar strode to the middle with injured wrist and all and gave the small home crowd something to cheer about. Shoaib launched into the Indian bowlers sending them away for consecutive fours and then two huge sixes.
However, with still over 55 overs to go in today's play and 90 overs tomorrow, Shoaib could not be a hero with the bat as he tried one too many hoiks and Anil Kumble was the man who laughed last as Nehra caught Shoaib for a breezy 28.
Anil Kumble proved chief destroyer once again, as he grabbed his fourth scalp of the innings and that of Fazl-E-Akbar for just 12. However, it was India's most decorated player, Sachin Tendulkar who won the match for India as he picked up the last wicket of Danish Kaneria and finished off one of the most successful cricket tours of all time which just happened to go in India's favor.
India winning emphatically by an innings and 131 runs and taking the Samsung 'Jeet Lo Dil' Test Series Cup 2-1.
The man of the match was given to Rahul Dravid for his masterful 270.
Meanwhile, the man of the series award was given to Virender Sehwag for his sheer consistency with the bat in the test series which included his highest test score of 309.
That concludes one of the most successful and great cricket tours of all time. The intense passion and spirit the games were played in cannot be rivaled by any other two nations.
One must say, the good natured hospitality and love shown by the people of Pakistan was simply heartwarming and it is the cricket loving and peace loving public that have done the nation of Pakistan extremely proud.
Truly a brilliant series, in which sport surpassed politics, differences and stereotypes to bring two extremely similar nations closer together. This series heralds a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.
For Pakistan, hopefully a series loss will not mean rash selection moves and changes at the hierarchy. Pakistan need stability, and the less changes Pakistan make, the better it will be for their future. They have a young side, but are enormously talented. Yasir Hameed, Imran Farhat, Umar Gul, Shabbir Ahmed, Mohammad Sami are big future stars.
For India, it was once again Rahul Dravid who proved why he may be one of the greatest Indian batsmen and one of the greatest world batsmen of all time. His dedication and concentration were unsurpassed. We saw a gem of an innings from Virender Sehwag, and more fireworks at Lahore.
A young man by the name of Yuvraj Singh came of age and showed his class in dire situations. In the field, with the ball and most importantly with the bat, Yuvraj showed why he is one of the biggest rising stars in the game today.
Without the services of Zaheer Khan, the new poster boy's of Indian Cricket, Irfan Pathan and the ever popular Lakshmipathy Balaji showed character, heart and courage whilst leading the new ball attack for India.
Although they may not be the fastest bowlers in the world, they both have a lot of heart, are great learners and can swing and control the ball then many of the other young bowlers in International Cricket. Their brave showings and match winning showings in Pakistan have done many Indian fans proud, and they both are destined for big things in the future.
Brief Score Summary:
Pakistan (1st Innings): 224 All Out (Sami 49, Hameed 26, Balaji 4/63, Irfan Pathan 2/49)
India (1st Innings): 600 All Out (Dravid 270, Ganguly 77, Laxman 71, Patel 69, Shoaib Akhtar 3/47, Farhat 2/69)
Pakistan (2nd Innings): 245 All Out (Asim Kamal 60*, Shoaib Akhtar 28, Kumble 4/47, Balaji 3/108)
India won by an innings and a 131 runs
India Win the Samsung 'Jeet Lo Dil' Trophy and Test Series 2-1
Cricket Web Player of the Match: Rahul Dravid (IND)
Cricket Web Player of the Series: Virender Sehwag (IND)
Posted by Sangrah
Email Us
Forum
Mail Article
Print Article