Peaceful Strokes

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May the best team win...

Go Pakistan......


Ras

This is one of the greatest ODIs I have ever seen. A high scoring game, tons of sixes and fours, no crowd trouble, continuous tension and some really superb fielding. Sehwag`s square cuts and backfoot glances were a treat to watch. Tendulkar looked far tentative in comparison and almost got himself caught (off a no-ball). Pakistan bowlers bowled rubbish. 38 extras! Even the offspinner Shoaib Malik bowled a no-ball. Basically Pakistan bowled 6 extra overs. I felt sorry for Dravid. He really deserved that 100. Ganguly also played a responsible knock after a string of poor performances. The expression on his face when he got out said it all. With a little experience, Kaif could become another Azharuddin for India. He has the technique. Just lacks the aggression. The pre-lunch session belonged entirely to India.

Shoaib and Sami need to take the cue from disciplined Indian bowling. Balaji and Zaheer bowled at a good length throughout, instead of trying to bowl fast. India dominated this game until the 25th over of Pakistan`s innings, both in morale and fielding/team work. But even a combination of these cannot stop an Inzamam in full flow. Pakistan`s Mr.Consistency usually gets out in 40s or 50s. But this time, he really stamped his class in a chanceless display of batting. I thought Youhana should have reached 100 as well. And Younis Khan needs to improve his footwork. Nehra and Kaif were eventually India`s heroes. Unlike the heady days of Kapil and Gavaskar, the current Indian team actually puts in the extra effort when it matters most. A spectacular catch and a spectacular over saved the day for India.

This is one game that I didn`t feel bad about Pakistan`s losing. This was a fight to the finish... not a meek surrender by the Pakistanis. I hope the remaining matches are as exciting.

#60 by impressions

I disagree with your analysis. Indian batting was helped by 38 extras bowled by Pakistan and 6 extra overs. As Sanjay Manjrekar and Navjot Sidhu commented during the lunch break, a score of 349 means that you have won 90% of the game already. The fact that Pakistan`s batting (which was considered to be brittle) took the game so close is a serious concern for India.

India`s bowling revolves around Zaheer, Nehra, Balaji and Pathan. Three of these bowlers are left-arm seamers. This means they can`t play in the same game. This also means India will continuously have to experiment with Kartik, Powar, Ganguly, Yuvraj, Tendulkar and Sehwag as their 4th and 5th bowler. None of these (except perhaps Powar) can stop the flow of runs like Harbhajan or Kumble.

Zaheer/Nehra/Pathan and Balaji may be able to concede just 120-140 runs in their 30 overs. But the 4th and 5th bowlers are more likely to concede 130-150 in their 20 overs. This means Indian batsmen will continuously have to post totals in excess of 320 which won`t be easy if Shoaib, Sami, Shabbir and Razzaq cut down on their extras in the remaining games. At least 3 batsmen out of Tendulkar, Sehwag, Ganguly and Dravid must score in every game for India to win. If 2 fail, India will be doomed.

Romair #65 I didnt realize the humble backgrounds of so many players in the Pakistan team. The credit is all the more to these team members for seeking excellence despite lack of facilities. And to the Pakistan cricket selection board for going strictly by talent!!

Is there a ``Spinner of the Post-Match`` award? Guess who is an obvious nominee..

There is something interesting about the Pakistani cricket team:

It is one of the few areas, in Pakistan, where those in an elite position (in this case cricket players) are actually represented by the common Pakistani. Nearly every member of the team is from the middle or lower middle class. This is why they cannot speak English and some can barely speak good Urdu. This, to me at least, has always been the sign of a merit-based system in Pakistan, i.e. a system not dominated by an elite minority. This is why none of us on Chowk are on any kind of a elitist sporting team. While many of us are in all kinds of other elitist jobs, positions, political parties, businesses etc. This shows can utilize our influence there, but not in a merit based system.

I don`t know how much of the following is correct, but from what I know:

- Yosuf Yohanna is a Christian. Easily the most prominent Christian in Pakistan, and is going to be next Captain of Pakistan. I don`t know of any other profession in Pakistan, where a Christian can reach such a high-profile position. He has already defeated South Africa as a Captain. He has always been my favorite player on the team, from the day he started. Calm, composed, always smiling, non-controversial, bats at any spot he is asked to, and one of the top five 1-day batsmen in the world. His father was a sweeper for Wapda, from what I know. Yosuf could never have risen to prominence in a non-merit based system.

- Danish Kaneria is the most prominent Hindu in Pakistan, and is the top spinner in the country. There aren`t too many other prominent Hindus in Pakistan
- Azhar Mahmood used to be welder. And worked in a welding shop in Pindi.
- Abdul Qadir`s father used to sell vegetables in Juma Bazaars
- Shoaib Akhtar`s father was a carpenter
- Inzamam couldn`t understand English when he started playing. Still cannot speak it. So he probably isn`t even close to the Chowk crowd

I would say nearly all the other players are probably from a very middle class background. My guess is that Imran Farhat, Shahid Afridi, and maybe a few others are the only ones from a well-off background.

I have noticed that in professions where the results are immediately in front of everyone, merit seems to rule. I have seen this amongst my friends who were in sports (squash), fighter flying, and a few other places. One cannot make it thru these on the basis of contacts.

There is something interesting about the Pakistani cricket team:

It is one of the few areas, in Pakistan, where those in an elite position (in this case cricket players) are actually represented by the common Pakistani. Nearly every member of the team is from the middle or lower middle class. This is why they cannot speak English and some can barely speak good Urdu. This, to me at least, has always been the sign of a merit-based system in Pakistan, i.e. a system not dominated by an elite minority. This is why none of us on Chowk are on any kind of a elitist sporting team. While many of us are in all kinds of other elitist jobs, positions, political parties, businesses etc. This shows can utilize our influence there, but not in a merit based system.

I don`t know how much of the following is correct, but from what I know:

- Yosuf Yohanna is a Christian. Easily the most prominent Christian in Pakistan, and is going to be next Captain of Pakistan. I don`t know of any other profession in Pakistan, where a Christian can reach such a high-profile position. He has already defeated South Africa as a Captain. He has always been my favorite player on the team, from the day he started. Calm, composed, always smiling, non-controversial, bats at any spot he is asked to, and one of the top five 1-day batsmen in the world. His father was a sweeper for Wapda, from what I know. Yosuf could never have risen to prominence in a non-merit based system.

- Danish Kaneria is the most prominent Hindu in Pakistan, and is the top spinner in the country. There aren`t too many other prominent Hindus in Pakistan
- Azhar Mahmood used to be welder. And worked in a welding shop in Pindi.
- Abdul Qadir`s father used to sell vegetables in Juma Bazaars
- Shoaib Akhtar`s father was a carpenter
- Inzamam couldn`t understand English when he started playing. Still cannot speak it. So he probably isn`t even close to the Chowk crowd

I would say nearly all the other players are probably from a very middle class background. My guess is that Imran Farhat, Shahid Afridi, and maybe a few others are the only ones from a well-off background.

I have noticed that in professions where the results are immediately in front of everyone, merit seems to rule. I have seen this amongst my friends who were in sports (squash), fighter flying, and a few other places. One cannot make it thru these on the basis of contacts.

Although Mr. Wadia from Bombay, Jinnah`s grand son, was the State Guest - the TVs did not show him.

Priyanka has a very pleasing demenour.

And Gangoli is a smart sharp-witted youth.

While Inzamam needs to do a course in spoken english - and also look more interested in what is going on around him.

Please folks. Sure Pakistan got trounced by the Indian batting.

At the start of their innings, Pakistan were underdogs with that huge total to chase. The match was for India to lose. And for Pakistanis to show heroics. The Paksitanis showed heroics and that will not augur well for the Indian side.

Imran Farhat is a also a Bandana Buoy. Which is very good news.

Some more observations.

ROMAIR. I guess you saw the match yesterday. So I will not bore you with the details. Sure pak played well. HOwever, I would suggest that read IMPRESSIONS post in detail. And also do an analysis of the bowling over by over and you will see that after Pak were 32 for 2 in the firts 10 overs, had to get in bowler 5 and the results are there. No Pak with a full bowling line up made a bad job of the game. Anyway here is a post (from a site made up of cricket writers, players etc) which makes sense:

Start_quotation{
Look back to the game yesterday. Both Balaji and Khan had pakistan on the ropes they had pak 32 for 2 and were leaking at some 3 or 4 runs an over.

At this rate the game would have been over in a few overs. Ganguly taking in the spirit of the detente started the ball rollling with his over and India start leaking runs.

Guys look back at the whole game. What I would suggest is go throu cric-info commentary for this expt. And just go to the pictures +- 2/3 overs before the bowling changes.

Naaaahhhhh. India won the game yes. They also won the mental game yesterday. Ganguly is becoming a good man and coming into his won here.

}Endquotation

Some Observations:

Romair, you said:

``I think psychologically this will favor Pakistan. Since India actually bowled as well as they could have. While Pakistani bowlers bowled very poorly. Yet the match was still close.``

``I think the Indian think-tank will be a bit worried after this match, since they must be trying to figure out how such a high total was chased (twice)``.


Are you out of your mind?? How did you surmise that India bowled as well as they could have? Only a hopeless buffoon would conclude that after that match Pakistan walked away with a psychological victory.
Both sides had some positives and negatives. India showed themselves that they can pile up a big total against the front line Pakistani attack and Pakistan showed that their batting will match up well against the Indian bowling and that any total is worth a shot. India showed that with some discipline their seamers could perform well under pressure but have to worry about their 4th and 5th bowler. Pakistan realized once again that their front line attack is made of immensely talented bowlers who would be consistently lethal if only their IQ was more than their ages.
After Miandad`s last ball sixer against a hapless Chetan Sharma, there was a period of good five years when India and Pakistan would find themselves in a real tight situation and Pakistan would always find a way to win those games, somehow. If this match shows anything its that those days are long gone. This Indian team will not be getting pushed around and intimidated and if you had to bet on a team wilting under pressure you would have to go with Pakistan.

``Indian think tank will be worried``. Yeah right, and the Pakistanis having had their spearheads` heads bashed in and having lost a historic match from an eminently winnable position will be relaxing with a `psychological advantage`. Sure, now go play battleship.



Gujjubania, you said:

``But I do know a few million $$$ from Indian sponsorship and Indian visitors + nostalgic tourists to Pak, are going into the Jihad coffer for Hizbul Mujaheedin and Jaish-e-Mohammed.``


How do you know that? How many assassination attempts on Musharraf will it take to convince you that the Jihadis are now well and truly against the mainstream Pakistani establishment?

How many stories of the warm and gracious treatment that Pakistanis met out to Indians who visit Pakistan will it take to convince you that the common people of Pakistan don`t have horns on their heads?

Learn to respect other people, their faith and their nation and don`t use that nick. You are insulting Gujjus and banias. Gandhi was a gujju bania.

#28 by rkhan,

``could you please show me how do you throw by bending your arm ``almost 90 degree`` backwards? Needs a freak to do that? isnt it?`


You`re kidding, right?! I mean, even a paki can`t possibly be this dumb.

Check this:
http://www.advantageathletics.com/stevens.html

And let me know what you learn about bent elbows and throwing.

If you`re in north-america, you should probably be given a clip over the head as well. ESPN has baseball pitchers on TV day in and day out. Nobody can miss their standard bent-arm throws.

- - - - -

On the topic of baseball, perhaps you may be knowing that these pitchers can throw 100 mph balls with a SINGLE-STEP ACTION...no long run-ups required here. How come?

The secret is elbow-snap...which is ALLOWED in baseball (and javelin off course), but not in cricket.

- - - - - -

Even in India at club levels we have `chuckers` who disguise their chucking with ultra-long run ups. But none of these guys make it above club level.

re:#40 by Romair
``Why did Priyanka Gandhi`s husband look so bored, throughout the match? As well as Priyanka herself and her brother?``
Chowk Marshal must have been sniffing cocaine when he missed the last over of the match. Go to the following URL:
http://sify.com/news/imagegallery.php?cid=2496&type=E&idx=&id=13428474
Click on the last photo of Priyanka Gandhi. It shows her (along with the other 2) thrilled moments after India won. I would not term it as bored. May be they acted bored when Pak was on a scoring spree. I would do the same too.
Sridhar

``God bless the two cricket teams and the sporting cricket fans``..........

............i am amazed and dismayed at the sissification of pakistan .......... i can understand the unconverted vegetarians going on about cricket like school girls who have just discovered breasts but, for god`s sake, we are the proud meat-eating half-breed descendents of qasim, ghauri and ghazni! ......... no wonder babur wanted to be buried in kabul, far away from the dust plains full of ugly ignoble weaklings who would betray their forefathers at the toss of a coin .................

.............. i think we should replace the border guards at wagha with hijras from karachi and delhi ..........every day at sunset we can gather around and watch the painted ladies dance and intimidate the ``enemy`` with their lethal pointy ten rupee bras before lowering the flags ..........

I liked this part of the game best: ``Another pleasant feature of the match was that scores of Indians waving their country`s flags mingled with Pakistanis in the stadium without fear or acrimony. `` (from Dawn).

Hats off to the fans - Indian and Pakistani - for behaving in such a mature and sportsmanlike manner!!