**Official** India v Pakistan

[Beleg]

Whenever Balaji pitched the ball full and noticeably outside the off-stump, the ball swung prodigiously (in contrast with the rest of series so far), moving away from the right-hander. Pathan also got a couple to jag back in sharply, though at his pace they weren't more then an annoying little triffle for the batsmen.

Now, unless you take swing to mean the ball sweeping a ten-foot wide arc on its course, there definately was movement in the air - It isn't conincidence Inzamam and Younis left a large part of balls bowled later in the evening session well alone. Balaji (and Pathan) just weren't able to maintain a testing line and length, evident by Pathan's preptual starying down the leg-side and Balaji's periodic half-vollies.

Sure they were balling flat. With the type of field Ganguly set, what else would you expect?

 

[Arjun]

Whenever Balaji pitched the ball full and noticeably outside the off-stump, the ball swung prodigiously (in contrast with the rest of series so far), moving away from the right-hander. Pathan also got a couple to jag back in sharply, though at his pace they weren't more then an annoying little triffle for the batsmen.

Now, unless you take swing to mean the ball sweeping a ten-foot wide arc on its course, there definately was movement in the air - It isn't conincidence Inzamam and Younis left a large part of balls bowled later in the evening session well alone. Balaji (and Pathan) just weren't able to maintain a testing line and length, evident by Pathan's preptual starying down the leg-side and Balaji's periodic half-vollies.

Sure they were balling flat. With the type of field Ganguly set, what else would you expect?

Balaji's awayswingers have been his main strength, but would have been more effective at the centre, than outside off. That's a waste of a good ball. Pathan got those moving in to annoy the batsmen, but let them pounce on some free-hit wide balls. Balaji didn't bowl too many lose ones, but Pathan's struggling to maintain a good pace, as well as line and length- he doesn't look match-fit, as many suspect.

As for Ganguly's fields, he's not going to win too many Test tournaments with them, so the least they could do is bowl on the stumps, which we have not seen.

 

[PAKMAN]

just as woolmer said they are fighting like punjabi tigers inzi the great
im lovin it lovin it.....

 

[thehellraiser]

INZI the Lion of Punjab. Pride of Pakistan. I was reading on Cricinfo that Pakistan has won 75% of the games where Inzi has scored a century and he is in the top 5 on the list of the players that have contibuted to their team winning the most matches when getting a hundered. A truly great match winner. The only indian on the list was Dravid. No tendlukar, no Sehwag. Tendulkar is perhaps the ebst in the world but again the same point is hammered home that he just has not won enough matches for his country.

 

[Anil]

great start by pakistan...another good day with the bat and they would put this match beyond india's reach...

 

[thehellraiser]

Pakistan are in a great position. They will not make the same mistake that the did in Kolkata and get more than 500. With the indians batting last and the Pakistan having three spinners Kaneria, Khan and Afridi - the series will be square.

Sqauring the test series and then winning the ODI series (most definately) this will turn out to be a pretty decent tour for the Pakistani's. A side that many people were saying would have no chance - a side that has shown that no matter that the team is inexperienced but the Pakistanis have tremendous hearts.

 

[Mecnun]

Well doen Inzy and Yk.. If the pitch doesnt deteriorate on day 3 onwards this looks to be a boring draw..

 

[shoot_me]

Wow this pitch is as flat as crap. India were lucky to have Pathan and Balaji pick up two early wickets because on this wicket, batsmen dont have to watch out for the bowlers, they just have to be cautious of self-destruction. I'm not trying to take anything away from Inzi or Younis Khan but it's not entertaining to see an utterly one-sided contest with batsmen whipping away helpless bowlers stranded on a dead track.

 

[Arjun]

Wow this pitch is as flat as crap. India were lucky to have Pathan and Balaji pick up two early wickets because on this wicket, batsmen dont have to watch out for the bowlers, they just have to be cautious of self-destruction. I'm not trying to take anything away from Inzi or Younis Khan but it's not entertaining to see an utterly one-sided contest with batsmen whipping away helpless bowlers stranded on a dead track.

Surprisingly, they're playing on a pitch which even the STATE association would not choose to play their team's home FC matches. That clipping on the previous page says it all. First BCCI make a mess about the TV rights issue and finally hand it over to Trans World International- the worst known broadcasters of the game. Then they spend a really long time deciding the venues, then pick one not even fit for a Ranji match! Bowling inadequacies notwithstanding, this shows how badly BCCI is run. Won't Jagmohan Dal-mein-kaala ever improve?

 

[shoot_me]

Won't Jagmohan Dal-mein-kaala ever improve?

Dude I've been whining for a few years now and believe me, it's a hopeless case.

 

[Arjun]

The least the BCCI could do is ban Trans World and Sony! Then again, you have someone like IS Bindra who knows what's good for the game in the country, and isn't bothered about his constituency in the state legislature, unlike all-terrain Mahendra.

 

[biased indian]

INZI the Lion of Punjab. Pride of Pakistan. I was reading on Cricinfo that Pakistan has won 75% of the games where Inzi has scored a century and he is in the top 5 on the list of the players that have contibuted to their team winning the most matches when getting a hundered. A truly great match winner. The only indian on the list was Dravid. No tendlukar, no Sehwag. Tendulkar is perhaps the ebst in the world but again the same point is hammered home that he just has not won enough matches for his country.

if u count the centuries rather tha look at the % i think tendulakr must ahve won more games when scoring a century but since he has 34 and the other two 21 and 20 it favours them

 

[marc71178]

Is it, just been to few Derby's in Bombay, No.7 Horse me thinks.

Thanks - when I find out what horse that is, I'll stick some money on it!

 

[marc71178]

At least 10 overs could have been given to Sehwag to get a different result.

Because Sehwag has such a great record with the ball doesn't he?

What makes you think that he'd succeed where good spinners didn't?

 

[mavric41]

Pakistan are in a great position. They will not make the same mistake that the did in Kolkata and get more than 500. With the indians batting last and the Pakistan having three spinners Kaneria, Khan and Afridi - the series will be square.

Sqauring the test series and then winning the ODI series (most definately) this will turn out to be a pretty decent tour for the Pakistani's. A side that many people were saying would have no chance - a side that has shown that no matter that the team is inexperienced but the Pakistanis have tremendous hearts.

While they are in a good position, I wouldn't count on winning after day one.

 

[Duncan]

I can't believe people are predicting a draw already. ANYTHING can happen from here. Pakistan can easily collapse to 400 or go on to score 600+ and that will give the confidence on bowling to India. So far Pakistan performs well one day out of a five day test... it happened in the Australia tests and the first two Indian tests.They will need to dominate India for another day or two if they want to win this.

 

[Sehwag309]

Thanks - when I find out what horse that is, I'll stick some money on it!

Have u seen Let it Ride

 

[cricket player]

whether it is dusty pitch or green pitch or dry pitch or yellow pitch or brown pitch,or anything,You cant take away anything from younis khan and inzimam,They have batted superbly and put pakistan in a decent enough postition for a chance to win this game.

 

[Sehwag309]

Offcourse, whatever the Pitch, one has to still score runs. I think, the only point is it's easier than other pitches and batsmen friendly ...thats all.

 

[Sehwag309]

I can't believe people are predicting a draw already. ANYTHING can happen from here. Pakistan can easily collapse to 400 or go on to score 600+ and that will give the confidence on bowling to India. So far Pakistan performs well one day out of a five day test... it happened in the Australia tests and the first two Indian tests.They will need to dominate India for another day or two if they want to win this.

I think Pak will score a big one, and then have all the confidence to attack India. There will be a partnership for sometime but won;t last long.

If anything, the only miracle would be a performance like Lanka when Jayasurya scored a triple and mahanma a double to go over Indian total.

But I dont see that happening here, interesting game ahead...moresover a delight for Pak fans