Sportolysis – The World Sports Blog

I haven’t had a big match feel like this since the India-Pakistan World Cup 1996 Quarter Final. India and Pakistan had not met each other for a while before that game and the tension before the game was unreal. They had a nice montage with a players taking part in the game talking about the game before it started in the then Prime Sports. It is a time and tested format and I have seen it in many American broadcasts, it was perfect, a sharp contrast to the millions of bytes on the television we see today in the trillions of news channels.

Coming to the game, I did see Pakistan closely in their game versus Australia and they played like a team. They were motivated, united (despite Akhtar being dropped in the last couple of games) and had a jazba about them which tells you this team is dangerous and means business. Afridi captained really well, opening the bowling with the miserly Abdur Rehman, who was turning the ball far more than characteristic from him (which also showed Afridi had read the wicket amazingly well among other things). Pakistan dropped Rehman after that which shows their strength and conviction. The most important aspect was Pakistan was not bowling wayward in the game at all. Not many poor deliveries bowled, some thing so uncharacteristic of the Pakistani team.

Given all of this, I do think Pakistan has a better chance. They may not be the better team on paper but are the far more prepared team, by the looks of it. Imran Khan had the motivation of building the hospital. This Pakistan team seems motivated to do it’s part to revive Pakistani cricket after the visit to the dark ages in the last couple of years.

Reports are saying this will be a batting track but I don’t think any one can say it won’t have the traditional Mohali bounce. The bounce has usually favored Pakistan (they have never lost an ODI in the ground versus India) but with Indian batsmen more adept at facing quicker bowlers now, the edge here might lay with India. Pakistan SHOULD play Shoaib Akhtar to balance this, more so as Wahab Riaz might not be experienced enough for a big game like today.

Usually, I have a good idea which team might be stronger but this is placed so beautifuly, you have no idea which way it is going to go. I am nervous and think Pakistan has the slight edge (India is NOT the favorites despite what Afridi or the bookies might tell you). In the end it might all come down to Tendulkar. However, given how in a tight game, it needs more than just an individual performance to win a game, it may, as it should, depend on which team pulls more weight and has more resources to keep punching back at you.

After a big climax, it can turn out to be a damp squib too like the Pakistan-Australia 1999 final. Let’s hope it is a game which tests the nerves though. A few champagne moments like the Rashid Latif catch, Jadeja flourish, Sohail-Prasad encounter would be great to remember another memorable India-Pakistan encounter with.

The win in the series versus India after the series win versus England means Pakistan is on course to be the undisputed number 2 team in the world. They have the challenge in England later this year which I await eagerly.

What if India defeat England in India and then England beat Pakistan in England? We do not have a clear number 2 then.

Meanwhile Uttar Pradesh with solid performances from Piyush Chawla, Kaif and Raina in the match and a crucial first inning lead means that we will, barring some miracle, see Kaif hold aloft Uttar Pradesh’s first Ranji title. Another likely feather in the cap for the guy who held aloft the under-19 world cup trophy what now seems ages ago.

I had the feeling in the first session. Thoughts came back of this match. Jagdish seems to agree.

At National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan has suffered just one loss. In the last 10 tests here, 8 matches have provided results. India has never won here (losing twice and drawing thrice). Inzamam averages above 70 here. A lot more facets here. Inzamam and Akhtar face injury worries and there are soft mumblings that they may not be as effective even if they play.

The grass is unlikely to be shaved off the wicket as it would mean backlash. There has already been a lot of frustration among fans and media after the first two tests. In these circumstances Pakistan has a slight advantage. A combined effort from India though could see a memorable win. It can be safely said that most people are praying that this match does produce a result. I am hoping that we see some brilliant cricket in the match and a superb inning from Tendulkar, at a ground he returns 16 years since he made his debut, which shuts a portion of the people who feel he is past his best for good.

It is game on!

Dr. Saeed Durrani in Daily Times letters suggests Rakhi as the name for the India-Pakistan series. While Ashes symbolises destruction, Rakhi is the symbol of bonding. I like it.

Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal love to bat versus India. They know how to play the Indian spinners very well. Pakistan can make quick runs and put India under pressure tomorrow if they are brave enough to go down that road. With only 1 wicket for Pakistan, they find themselves in a position to decide the possible course of the match. A draw does look the likely outcome even if both teams intent to play for a win from the current scenario.

That’s what has seems to have happened all the three cricket matches from glance at the scorecards. Inzamam and Afridi ensured Pakistan went over 4 runs an over for the day. Even 10 years ago that would have been unthinlable in most scenarios. I am very happy with India playing five bowlers. It is not some thing which is unusual. India has played Prabhakar as the 5th bowler in the 90’s for example. The first necessity to win a test match is to take twenty wicket. India look more likely to that with a 5 man attack.

Bengal, surprisingly as far as I am concerned, have a first inning lead over Baroda. The unlikely hero has been Subhomoy Das. Subhomoy Das who? The same guy who averages a mere 35.84 in First Class matches. He is also the guy who’s 83, along with Jhunjhuwala’s 139 were instrumental in taking Bengal to the semis. Kudos to Shib Pal for putting Bengal in a position to take a first inning lead. But the batting collapses in the past have been all too familiar. In that regard the efforts of the young guns like Das and Jhunjhwala (even though he has made a duck in this match) and of course Rohan Gavaskar have to be commended.

Uttar Pradesh has taken their first inning lead versus Mumbai after bundling them for 199. Kaif, Raina and Rizwan Shamshad have been instrumental in that.

Now the question is – can India, Baroda or Mumbai script a resurgence.