Peaceful Strokes

Well played Pakistan Congratulations.

The good thing for India is that Sachin hit his groove.

Well, I have a thought...

Why don`t we make a seven-game series of one-day 50-over match between India and Pakistan. Apparently, they are very evenly matched. The winner will be the four games out of seven. And here`s the catch: whoever wins 4 of 7, India or Pakistan, gets all of Kashmir as part of their country. That way everyone`s happy, no continuing bloodshed, the losing team congratualtes the winning team, and the spectators go back to their usual everyday work, social, and domestic problems. Another day, another rupee. No?

A great match again....

Congratulations to both the teams....

This time we made the career of Shahid Afridi.. (just like we made the careers of Lance Klusener and Hayden)

(I desperately hope the Indian bowling improves in the coming matches)

- Avkrishna

While I believe in hospitality, I think Pakistanis maybe going overboard:

``A miscalculation by television umpire Asad Rauf could also have played a role in Pakistan`s five-run defeat in the first one-day international against India in Karachi, a media report said at Rawalpindi on Tuesday.....

``When Mohammad Kaif took that brilliant catch to dismiss Shoaib Malik with the total on 340 on the fifth ball of the 49th over Moin had crossed over from the non-striker`s end and he should have taken the strike on the final ball of the over instead of the inexperienced Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan,`` (http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2004/mar/16ump.htm)

Pakistan wins this one....

Ind 317ao 48.4 ovs Pkn 329-6

Congratulations!

Ras

India closing in but will they prevail?

Live: Pakistan v India

India 314-8 (48 overs) v Pakistan 329-6


Ras

Pakistan in a strong position in spite of Sachin`s brilliance...

Live: Pakistan v India

India 284-8 (46 overs) v Pakistan 329-6
Full scorecard


Ras

HE: I assume the match will be played at the rawalpindi club grounds. Is that right?

ironman #71 Yes indeed. Romair does seem to come up with a good observation once in a while (in between his ongoing lecture series on ``Politics, Economics, War and Everything Else as Determined by Romair``).

Re: Plats8

Ditto.

The 2nd game should be a doosie. ODIs are such crapshoots to begin with and then add to that two evenly matched teams and the baggage that goes with the Indo-Pak fare and you have a very unpredictable series indeed.

Earlier I gave a slight edge to Pakistan in both ODI and Test just because I think they are a little bit more talented overall than the Indians but based on the last two ODIs played between these two now you really have to wonder. I think that the intangibles of mental toughness and professional outlook may be with the Indians enough to overcome the talent gap and the home field advantage. Take a bow, John Wright!

And these are just ODIs, as far as I am concerned this is pajama cricket. The real deal starts on 3/28 and all of these issues are multiplied manifold in the tests.

It now looks as if the Indians will have Zaheer, Agarkar, Pathan, Kumble & Tendulkar as their bowling lineup in the tests. This is a disciplined line up that will plug away, induce mistakes and get wickets against Pakistan. The big question is how will the Pakistani attack deal with Indian batting. Shoaib and Sami are the key performers because there is nothing to suggest that Shabbir, Razzaq and Kaneria can make many inroads against this insane Indian line up. The only way is to try to blow the Indians away.

So how will Shoaib and Sami do? If they are going to waste their short bursts and spray it all around like the last two ODIs Chopra, Dravid & Tendya will gladly let it all go by and then boy will there be hell to pay from Sehwag, Laxman and Ganguly! This is not the India of old where if you got lucky and ripped thru Tendya the others folded like a cheap menu. This lineup is so talented that it involves one of the great attacking batsmen of all time in a consolidating role!

Somebody needs to knock some sense into Shoaib and Sami before the Indians pull off a giant kill here. Where`s Miandad`s bat?

#77 by plats8

+++
Among the real quick ones, I personally find Brett Lee and Shane Bond to be
far more menacing than Shoaib. Perhaps it is just a matter of discipline. In fact,
Sami seems more impressive than Shoaib; just give the kid a couple of years.
Perhaps bringing Shoaib in as first change is a better strategy
+++

I agree. Shoaib has still not really understood that ODI bowling is about ``control first, venom later``. McGrath, Kapil, Imran, Garner and Wasim bowled at 80% of their top speed during ODIs precisely for the same reason.

On another note, the toss will be very important for Rawalpindi as well as the two Lahore matches. These are day/night matches. The team batting second usually enjoys a considerable advantage because Pakistani grounds get a lot of dew during the night. The dew helps the ball swing a little bit more, but its also makes it difficult to grip the ball. As a result, fast/medium bowlers are unable to control the movement... and spinners are unable to spin the ball. Batsmen enjoy plenty of wides and lollipop deliveries. On the brighter side, the wet outfield makes it hard for batsmen to score boundaries. Nevertheless, conditions still favor the side batting under the lights.

These factors became evident during the 4-nation tournament in Lahore during 1998 when South Africa & Sri Lanka successfully chased huge totals posted by Pakistan and West Indies under the lights.

I am betting that the toss-winning captain will choose to bowl first in Rawalpindi.

Impressions/HisExcellency,

My estimate is that both the teams walk away from this with comparable levels
of comfort. From the Pakistani side, they realised that in the absence of Harbhajan
/Kumble, the 4th and 5th Indian bowler can be picked at ease.

From the Indian perspective, the fact that Shoaib/Sami/Naved sprayed all over
is not really relevant ; that is not why they won. The fact is that they could bat with
complete ease against the best Pakistani attack. Seldom did the batsmen look
like they were under pressure - I`d think this is a good feeling to go away with.

Among the real quick ones, I personally find Brett Lee and Shane Bond to be
far more menacing than Shoaib. Perhaps it is just a matter of discipline. In fact,
Sami seems more impressive than Shoaib; just give the kid a couple of years.
Perhaps bringing Shoaib in as first change is a better strategy.

``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.``

Add Laxman to that list.

I will root for Pakistan for 2nd ODI. Just to make series interesting.

Re: 67 His Excellency,

I can’t really disagree with much of what you say and I also don’t see how you disagree with my analysis.

My point is, after that game it’s hard to see how Pakistan came away with a psychological advantage. The phrases ‘psychological advantage’ and ‘moral victory’ are appropriately used in case of draws where there was no clear winner. In a game that India won fair and square, how the hell did Pakistan get the psychological advantage? Does India have problems and were they highlighted? Sure! Who’s denying that?

But only schtickmiesters like Romair can conclude that Pakistan got the better of India in the psychological battle. In fact according to every Pakistani expert who has cared to opine on this, the biggest reason for Pakistan’s loss was indeed between their ears.


Re: 72 Gujjubannia,

‘Dude’, homoerotica aye?
Now I get it.
All you need is a good schtoinking by a Pathani schlong right up your yinyang.
Then you’ll know Gandhi who.

Gujjubania,

Since you clearly state that you have no time for cricket, why not leave this
board alone and create one to discuss your own fantasies.

Romair,

I think subcontinental cricket has in general become more egalitarian - good
to see it being reflected in the composition of the Pakistan team. I think this
has added more street-fighting instincts in general; even someone like Ganguly
who comes from a priveleged background has it.

I do not think India won. As a Bania I should know. This was just a time filler.

Feel gooooood from all ends.

Hathi has two sets of daats. One we see. One that are used for.... Are our friends from across the border saying.....Om Shanti Om?? eh?

Hamidm 12345. You are really hillarious... I would, if I could, teach you how to love hing.

My prediction..... Naaaah wish. Let Pakistan win ...Cricket.

Yogiraj Patil

tahmed32 #68,

``Romair #65 I didnt realize the humble backgrounds of so many players in the Pakistan team.``

Truth do ye speak, Sir Tahmad.

Just the other day Inzi was holding his head in both hands looking sullen. Probably wondering why he wasn`t born rich instead of handsome.

;)