There was nothing ‘great’ in the batting effort of India or Pakistan in this test match. People were going gaga when Afridi and Akmal were making runs and some fans from India would be feeling the same currently. Memories of Chris Gayle’s knock and that India-Sri Lanka test match comes to mind.

In chess, when the opponents decide, a draw can be agreed upon. I think the same should hold good for test cricket. It is an option in the last hour of play. But why not in any period during the test match. Why have a dead rubber too after a series has been completed.

The Indian board was not able to accomodate a twenty20 charity match for Pakistan earthquake victims and proceeds of a limited overs match will go to them.

A twenty20 match or one dayer for charity would be much more interesting than cricket which has been played till now and that which will be played tomorrow.

There is so much excitement in the air - and its unrelated to any irrelevant media hype which has known to follow Indian cricket.

It’s a good time to be a test cricket fan. The Ashes, RSA in Australia have ended. Australia will tour South Africa next while England will battle it out in India.

We can forget all that for the next few weeks while we enjoy India versus Pakistan in a cricket contest. In the past 15 years or so of cricket watching, I have seen quite a few contests and memorable incidents in matches between the two countries.

Whether it was the jumping of Miandad in frustration at the antics of Kiran More in 1992, the catch of Rashid Latif and Jadeja going wild in Bangalore in 1996, Shoaib Akhtar in all his glory yorking Tendulkar, the mastery of Saqlain taking consecutive 5 wicket hawls, the anguish of Tendulkar at Chennai despite his mastery, the wonderful Sahara Cup low scoring contests or the whole India’s tour to Pakistan in 2003 which brought the two nations together like no cricket tour in the past probably did, we have all watched in amazement.

I can’t wait any longer!

Sunil Gavaskar has said that India sould play 3 openers versus Pakistan.

That would mean Yuvraj Singh and Ganguly both missing out from the test side. It is winter and the conditions are bound to be testing. So in that context Gavaskar has a point.

The laws are quite clear on this. The umpires have the final say on the pitch. Also if the conditions or the pitch, ground etc are not dangerous it is playable.

In a test match in India vs England play was stopped and the match abandoned because the ball was bouncing so awkwardly that it could cause serious damage to the English batsmen. Hussain was right to protest and the umpires were right to stop play.

But if the pitch is not dangerous, and its within the laws So what is the issue why so many English fans are disgruntled with the pitches provided to them.

A great team wins even in the most adverse of conditions.

The only way left is to boycott the Karachi one dayer. Miandad has requested fans to not go to the stadium to watch the match.

I certainly will not be watching the match on tv.

After the PCB agreed to the ECB’s demand of not playing a test in Karachi, the ECB, it appears, are not pleased at having England play at Multan either. The PCB has not succumbed on changing the venue from Multan to Rawalpindi though. Roebuck would be pleased like me to an extent on the stand I think though the displeasure at ECB not wanting to play in Multan would be mixed with it.

It would surprised me if some more unnecessary hassles do not come up before the first ball of the series is bowled.

Peter Roebuck rights about there being no shame in losing to Australia but ads a statement quite out of place in an article on the Ashes:

They must play cricket in Karachi and anywhere else. The world has shrunk.

I have stated my views on England’s decision not to play in Karachi earlier but it is good to know that my favourite cricket writer shares the same view.

Mianad in saying Pakistan should cancel the English tour of Pakistan has got it spot on. Should cricket teams cancel playing in Lords or other cricket venues just because there was the terrorist attacks?

Its sad Pakistan Cricket Board has not insisted on England playing in one of Pakistan’s trditional venues.

If you get a hold of Pundits From Pakistan by Rahul Bhattacharya switch over to the chapters where he describes the enigma of Karachi - the city. Switch over then to the pages which show the atmosphere after the Karachi one dayer in 2004. Jagmohan Dalmiya declares that when India next tours Pakistan, the first test match will be held in Karachi. This after India’s refusal to play in the venue.

Such was the brilliance of the match in which nearly 700 runs were scored in a day, described so aptly in this archived piece by Bhattacharya that I remember I started cheering for Pakistan beyond a point. And when Md. Kaif took that brilliant catch, and every one in Cafe Coffee Day rejoiced, I quickly sank back on my seat.

Now we have England refusing to play a test in Karachi. Samiuddin, who is fast becoming the young voice of Pakistan cricket, voices his anguish. It is more to do with the fact that people, not players, not PCB officials have done any thing when a lot could have actually been done.

My stand is simple. If India and Pakistan can play a one dayer in Karachi some time after Musharaff had life threatening attacks, England has no case. If Pakistan guarantee player safety, England have no case. If specific players wouldn’t like to play in a specific match, in this case a Karachi test for fear of family and self, they can be allowed to opt out but I doubt many England players will try to make a stance in a crucial series in Pakistan like some did in Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe when players opted out, though the scenario was different, and yet the English toured the country, the case brought up against Karachi is unnecessary.

Shoaib Akhtar has gained back the confidence of the PCB after abandonment from the squad for the tour of West Indies. The fitness level of Shoaib was questioned by Woolmer, the commitment in doubt. Shoaib has since then come with strong remarks of how he wants to give his best against the English.

After not being included in the 17 people who were initially given the Central contract, the latest news certainly comes as a new formed faith of the PCB. The contract is only for 6 months though. The last 6 months or so have shown Shoaib he is not indespensible and the team is always larger than the player.

More media news for what he does on field rather than off it in the future? Only time will tell.