***Official*** India in Pakistan

[Sanz]

Pakistan wins this test match by tea on 4th day.

 

[jack_sparrow]

It would be delightful to see an afridi special tomorow. That is ofcourse, if he gets a chance. The Y's are doing great.

There were also lots of words between players, you can hear through the microphone. I know cuz I translators sitting next to me.

 

[Mecnun]

Pakistan wins this test match by tea on 4th day.

I refuse to make predictions on a Pak India match but if there is any team that has the batters to chase down a 350-400 score in the 4th innings , it is India. And Pak still has to score those runs in the first place. It is still too close to call but I am glad of one thing and that is the intense competition given that we had a competetive wicket conducive to a result. Both teams even so far as I can see. This is what an India v Pak match should be.. Any of three results still possible.

 

[Jono]

To be honest, I would rather see Pakistan win this very competitive test than have seen a third straight crappy draw due to the pitch. If a draw does somehow occur (lol), and it be a result of a brilliance performance or two, than that's a different matter of course.

That being said, win India damn it

 

[honestbharani]

I've never been happier to be wrong!

I kinda knew that. Bad bad batting by India. To lose a test after having the opposition of 39/6 simply speaks of incompetence at its highest degree. I know hindsight is wonderful blah.. blah blah... But I think the stupid Indian move (triggered by whoever) of sacrficing a specialist opener when both contenders were in decent nick is backfiring big time now. Dravid did well on a flat track but on a seaming track, I think someone who has been doing the job for a while might have done better. And honestly, I haven't seen Kumble bowl this badly for years now. Ever since his shoulder operation, he has looked good almost everytime he bowled. But in this series, he has been toothless. Most astoundingly, he has lost his discipline, the very thing that COULD have got him wickets on those flat tracks. When the field is set 7-2, he bowls flighted deliveries on leg stumps. And I have NEVER seen him bowl so many short and wide deliveries either. AND he is SUPPOSED to be our best bowler. Harbhajan was nullified by the conditions but Kumble could have done better, because he HAS done better in such conditions before.


And I think the folly of playing 3 left arm seamers is shown up again. Generally, I don't mind the best 3 medium pacers playing in the side, but when all of them are just medium pace and all of them rely on a bit of swing, it does create a sameness to the attack and the batters really get used to it. I think India are missing Balaji more than anyone else. His ability to bowl inswingers from a full length to left handers and getting them LBW (almost like a right hand version of Pathan) is missing. We saw how both Pak openers kept plonking their front foot down right across the stumps. In fact, Ganguly got one of them in that manner. I think Balaji, bowling a similar line and length but around 10-12 mph quicker, might have done well for India.


As far as this test goes, it is going to take a BIG BIG effort for India to win this. At this point, only one result looks probable and unfortunately for INdia, it is neither an Indian win nor a draw.


PS: How long is it going to take for Sourav to realize that he is not good enough at hooking balls? He looked good for a 60 or 70 at least.

 

[honestbharani]

The way Farhat is playing seems he is the most suitable player at that spot currently, i have serious doubt if they will bring back malik for tests.

Why is Woolmer in love with Shoaib Malik anyway? Pakistan have a lot of good potential specialist openers. I guess he likes the fact that Malik is a good fielder and a decent offie who CAN bowl a doosra.


BTW, I do think Farhat will be fount out by Hoggard and Co. in England though. Perhaps Yasir Hameed would be a better bet. And Akmal should definitely bat at 6. And Inzy should bat at 4 incase of a collapsse of the top 3. MoYo is not good in those conditions.

 

[Pratters]

Did you even check the links ??

Why is it necessary when we you read my second statement - on comparison career wise.

 

[Pratters]

Before the start of this series, he was averaging 43..

I knew it was skewed because of the performance vs minnows but didn't know it was that skewed.

Any way I understand your logic in preferring Prabhakar over Pathan. I would prefer Pathan despite the stats. Pathan has a young career and hopefully his stats will improve in the latter stages.

I will be surprised if Pathan's bowling average except minnows is worse than 37 by the time his career ends though.

 

[marc71178]

Good solid start from Pak. Bowling wise I was disappointed they did not get them earlier but Indians batted well to even out the 1st innings honours. If Pak can get a lead of 320-350 it would be a hell of a match and will test the famed Indian batting line up but first thing first Pak need to bat sensibly and score some runs.

I'd say that anything over 300+ chasing will be very difficult - history says that it doesn't happen that often.

 

[Jono]

I can't see India scoring too many over 300 in the 4th innings. If it were to happen, it'd take a wondeful knock from one or two batsman. That being said, India being set a target of 280-350 would really make this match great with a mouth-watering chase. What I think is likely though, barring a very good, in fact scratch that, barring a brilliant bowling performance tomorrow, is that Pakistan, with all the time left in this match, will set India something around 400-450 for a victory. I mean they legitimately bat to 8, and their number 8 can be either Akmal, Afridi or Razzaq. With only 2 wickets down and 170+ on the board, they're not only in the driver's seat they've got the keys ready and the mirrors adjusted. First session tomorrow will tell us which way this game is going IMO.

 

[Sanz]

If Pakistan gives us a target of 375+, I am sure pak wins, but anything less than that , I will bet on an Indian win.

 

[danish]

I kinda knew that. Bad bad batting by India. To lose a test after having the opposition of 39/6 simply speaks of incompetence at its highest degree.

It wouldn't be the first time that India have lost to Pakistan after being in such a dominant position. I recall India having Pakistan at 44-6 a few years ago and they lost that match

PS: How long is it going to take for Sourav to realize that he is not good enough at hooking balls? He looked good for a 60 or 70 at least.

WHAT was Ganguly thinking playing such a rash shot like that. He may have lost his place in the ODI team, but he was in such good nick and well on course for a decent score. If I were him, I'd be committing hara-kiri this very moment for playing that shot.
Unless he wins the game for India/makes a triple century in 1 day, it is doubtful whether he will be seen on a Cricket pitch ever again. Still, I'm not complaining...

 

[TIF]

I would say that India, does have the batting to chase down a 500+ score on this pitch. I very well know that it has never happened in the past, never in the 125+ years we have had of test cricket, but seeing the increase in amounts of big run chases in the last few years, India has looked to be one of the teams that can chase down a 500+ score. Other likely team which can pull this off is Australia. India, always has has a knack of winning from totally unexpected situations, anyone remember Kolkata 2001, that VVS Laxman 281 or Adelaide 2003, that Rahul Dravid 233 or in bowling wise, remember Mumbai 2004, when we defended a lowly target of 107 on a absolute turner of a pitch.

This pitch, is easing down considerably for the batting and the batting today was a lot easier than what it was yesterday. It will ease out further over the next 2 days and a solid start chasing a 500ish score in the 4th innings, something like a 200/2, might put India in the drivers seat.

It still looks be anybodys game though, like yesterday, But today, Pakistan do seem to have that advantage. A big score and a over 500+ lead can put the pressure on India, but still India should not be affected by that as we have the batting to chase down a 500+ score. Also, if the Indian bowlers, can manage to pick up a few quick wickets tomorrow, then that will give the advantage back to India, otherwise Pakistan do look like having the edge.

A run chase for India and a thrilling 5th day irrespective of who wins this test, will make people forget all about the "boring" 1st 2 test matches and they will start calling this series as one of the best series they would have ever seen. This match, has been a lot interesting till now.

Also, before you reply/quote this post for that "500+ chase bit", excuse me if I was a bit optimistic about a 500+ chase being possible. Those were not just my thoughts, but the thoughts of most people around here in India.

 

[TIF]

Uhh.....hang on.......I am suggesting they use Dhoni's batting and Ratra's keeping. By these plans, Dhoni stays in the side a lot longer. If they're lucky, Ratra or any other keeper can sneak in. That may be a better option than replacing a batsman with a bowler, since you don't know whether that will work out.

Munaf shouldn't be a stupid-sub. Rather, he should form the first XI. His batting will come VERY useful for the side, so you're not using him fully if you have hi on the bench when the team is batting. Someone like RP Singh or VR Singh (not an all-rounder by any means) would be a better choice for that position, but the stupid-sub rule is most effective when used least.

Arjun, you never suggested it in that post. There was no mention of Ratra or any other wicket-keeper at all in that post. If Dhoni, has to play in the ODIs, then he must play as a part of the 1st XI, irrespective of whether we are batting or bowling. He has to do both the things, bat and keep as well.

Till now, only Munaf looks to be a real contender for a super-sub. Having a RP Singh as a super-sub, will make no use as it will be a total waste if we bowl first. Another contender of a super-sub, can be Ajit Agarkar for the same reasons as Munaf Patel. Agarkar, can also bat a bit and he has won us a few ODIs with his late order batting and on a few instances, taken us to within 5 runs of the win, we lost those matches by only less than 5 runs despite having the required run-rate over 8-9 an over in the last 5-6 overs.

 

[Sanz]

I would say that India, does have the batting to chase down a 500+ score on this pitch. I very well know that it has never happened in the past, never in the 125+ years we have had of test cricket, but seeing the increase in amounts of big run chases in the last few years, India has looked to be one of the teams that can chase down a 500+ score. Other likely team which can pull this off is Australia. India, always has has a knack of winning from totally unexpected situations, anyone remember Kolkata 2001, that VVS Laxman 281 or Adelaide 2003, that Rahul Dravid 233 or in bowling wise, remember Mumbai 2004, when we defended a lowly target of 107 on a absolute turner of a pitch.

This pitch, is easing down considerably for the batting and the batting today was a lot easier than what it was yesterday. It will ease out further over the next 2 days and a solid start chasing a 500ish score in the 4th innings, something like a 200/2, might put India in the drivers seat.

It still looks be anybodys game though, like yesterday, But today, Pakistan do seem to have that advantage. A big score and a over 500+ lead can put the pressure on India, but still India should not be affected by that as we have the batting to chase down a 500+ score. Also, if the Indian bowlers, can manage to pick up a few quick wickets tomorrow, then that will give the advantage back to India, otherwise Pakistan do look like having the edge.

A run chase for India and a thrilling 5th day irrespective of who wins this test, will make people forget all about the "boring" 1st 2 test matches and they will start calling this series as one of the best series they would have ever seen. This match, has been a lot interesting till now.

Also, before you reply/quote this post for that "500+ chase bit", excuse me if I was a bit optimistic about a 500+ chase being possible. Those were not just my thoughts, but the thoughts of most people around here in India.

 

[TIF]

Is using these smilies necessary? What was the point in your smilies. If you want to disagree with that post, then write it and we can have a discussion. I am still online for some more time.

 

[godofcricket]

Why is Woolmer in love with Shoaib Malik anyway? Pakistan have a lot of good potential specialist openers. I guess he likes the fact that Malik is a good fielder and a decent offie who CAN bowl a doosra.

BTW, I do think Farhat will be fount out by Hoggard and Co. in England though. Perhaps Yasir Hameed would be a better bet. And Akmal should definitely bat at 6. And Inzy should bat at 4 incase of a collapsse of the top 3. MoYo is not good in those conditions.

Yeah thats the main purpose, otherwise Malik just looks silly whenever he opens the innings. If farhat does perform in tests, then not only will Malik find it difficult for a place in tests but also the ODIs. And as far as yasir hameed is corncerned i think he has a very slim chance of coming back, the current situtation in the Pak team means that only the opening slot is unsettled, they will definetly be giving Malik/Farhat/Salman more chances until they bring players like Hameed.

 

[godofcricket]

If Pakistan gives us a target of 375+, I am sure pak wins, but anything less than that , I will bet on an Indian win.

Well even if Pakistan gives a target of 300, it will be awesome to watch, anything beyond 340 will mean a Pak win.

 

[no1_gangsta_786]

I think Pakistan will be needing a score over 400 to really play for the win. With three days left we should really look to bat the whole of the third day get a lead of 400+ and then have two days at the indians...but we need to get early wickets again....especially Virender Sehwag.

 

[godofcricket]

I think Pakistan will be needing a score over 400 to really play for the win. With three days left we should really look to bat the whole of the third day get a lead of 400+ and then have two days at the indians...but we need to get early wickets again....especially Virender Sehwag.

Well its very easy to just say what score they should score but we need to remember that anything can happen in tommarrows first session, if india gets a couple of wickets in the first hour then Pak can manage around 300, which i think would balance it out. But if Pak scores a hundred with losing at max a single wicket then pak would atleast want to play as much as they can and score to leave indian chances to a very minimum. Its 70% in pak favour currently, so india would really need to play well from now.