The resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan has already done its bit to improve political relations between the two countries. Pakistan is scheduled to tour India next year, and once these two great nations start playing each other on a regular basis, one can be sure that the passion, hysteria and quality of cricket an Indo-Pak series will generate, would leave cricket’s celebrated ‘rivalries’ like the Ashes or the Frank Worrell Trophy far behind.
The One-Day series was a real humdinger. Pakistan were let down by poor bowling.
The astronomical number of extras that they conceded proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Full credit to India for coming back after being 1-2 down.
It was obvious after watching the One-Dayers that the Indian batsmen, all of whom are in outstanding form, would murder the Pakistani bowlers in the Tests unless the latter improved their line and length. Unfortunately, the Pakistani bowlers continued with their undisciplined ways on the first day of the Multan Test.
One of the earliest cricketing lessons I learnt was that the bouncer was a ‘shock’ ball more than a ‘stock’ delivery. It had to be used as a surprise weapon, only then would it be effective. It was disheartening to see the pacemen send down too many short-pitched deliveries that were either left alone or punished, particularly by Virender Sehwag who was a revelation. Shabbir was the only one who bowled in the right areas, but Shoaib, Sami and Razzaq were far too short.
The difference in the body language of both sides was all too conspicuous. Sehwag, even in the final hour of play, was running swiftly between the wickets, while the Pakistanis had dropped their shoulders in the first hour itself.
A team that comprises so many youngsters is expected to be bubbly and enthusiastic on the field even in the most adverse of situations, but the Pakistanis seemed to be going through the motions.
Having said that, it could well have been a different story had Sami and Saqlain clung on to the relatively easy chances that Sehwag offered. But the fielding and wicketkeeping was quite poor and these are areas in which they need to improve.
As of now, it seems that the Indians have batted their opponents out of the match. Pakistan will have to put in a much more disciplined show tomorrow, or else, the Indians will go for the kill.
