Match Report on First Test Match at Chennai

A great match and a very good match report. To be honest, I turned the commentary off when SRT survived a stumping/run out chance by Moin and hit 4 fours. I was sick and couldn`t have afforded that nerve wrecking loss. After the match was well over I logged in again and got the news which I was waiting for last 12 years. I have no doubt in my mind that SRT played a very brave and courageous inning but was that good enough to earn him a MOM award? That is questionable. He should have stayed a little longer to finish the job. The excuse that he was in pain is a load of.... you know what I mean. He could have asked for a runner like Afridi did. His knock was not any better than Afridi`s. As a matter of fact Afridi`s inning was more applaudable because Afridi played an inning against his nature. Plus Afridi lacks the confidence and experience which SRT has. And what about Saqlain? He was the man of the day, man of the team and certaily man of the match. How could Pakistan have won this match without Saqlain. Bottom line is that it was a politically motivated MOM award. Just to soothe Indian fans. Atleast I think so.

Well now 1st test is over and 2nd test is only 24 hours away, one has yet to see how Indians are going to face the duo of Mushtaq & Saqlain. I M still debating whether Akram and Miandad will keep Waqar in or replace him with Shoaib Akhtar?

Absolutely amazing! The first test match is over and who won and who lost?

Pakistan did not win, but common sense, tolerance and an appreciation for decency won. India did not lose either, but emerged victorious in the quise of sportsmenship, and best of all, the Indian crowds at Chennai won through their immpecable spectating discipline. The Indian crowds`unbridled love for the game, which they refused to be tarnished by the pith of politics, made this match even more unforgettable.

The greatest singular honor accorded the Pakistani team was the standing ovation of the Indian crowd on their victory.

The Indian crowds have set a high precedent for future test matches between India and Pakistan. I can only pray and hope that when the Indians return to Pakistan, Pakistanis crowds can up live to the high standards set by the Indians at Chennai.

To all, Indians and Pakistanis alike, bravo!!!

Sounds like a great victory for Pakistan, its absolutely amazing considering how corrupt and dilapidated our system has become. Of course my opinions are based on what I infer from what I read.

All of that aside, can someone tell me what happened to Azhar Mahmood, he seemed (to me) like someone who could be a better all-rounder than Shahid Afridi?

Great article. Creates a picture of the spirit

and emotions on the field which is lacking

from CricInfo`s commentary.

And what a win...this is indeed a historic

moment...something that will be talked about

for a long time...Sydney, Headingly, Bangalore,

and now Chennai!

A great start on CHOWK was made here as many had the opportunity to read about the game in Chennai
and express their views.
One thing that would help in future is to open
just one channel of communication per game
or series at a time and to keep it on top of
the article listings till that game is over.

Three channels were opened and a time distortion
was faced with people having to choose between
``Ready to Rumble``, ``The Pakistan India War 1999``
and this excellent ``Match Report``.
This is just a suggestion.

Mofeez, an excellent report series. I loved the
superb closing paragraph here.

Ras

I was all drained and spent after following the match. Then I slept late and had a relaxed day to recover. So now I look up Mofeez`s report and I am all drained and spent again. Editors take note - the Day 4 report needs to come with a disclaimer: above and beyond what happened in the match, Mofeez`s report itself can be hazardous to your emotional stability.

I have taken Mofeez`s recommendation faithfully and am patiently awaiting the video to materialize at the local Indian grocery. But I can`t imagine the images will be deliver more than Mofeez`s words.

Brilliant, my friend. Just brilliant.

Saad

One of the greatest matches in the history of Pakistan cricket has been concluded.

First of all, both teams were great. In the end, Sachin Tendulkar lost it for India when it was his for the taking.

I had suspected SRT would do his best and score a hundred, but the odds favoring Pakistan would still be hard to overcome. Tendulkar did do his best, but his best just wasn`t good enough. Nevertheless, since nothing endures like a tragedy, the 136 against Pakistan at Chennai will probably be canonized at Tendulkar`s finest moment.

I think with the opposition batting last this may be Pakistan`s closest victory margin yet.

Too much.

Commiserations to our Indian friends. Mubarakbad to Pakistan fans. Finally, after a long drought, some heroes are born.

Saad

Oye SS, Ras, Afrasiyab.

You`re all up too??

What a match! I am still dazed.

OK. I am not done yet.

This has been an absolutely incredible match.

12 runs. I still can`t believe it.

India are 6/2 and then 82/5. Its all over isn`t it. So say Safwan, Saad and Umair anyway.

Then Mongia and Tendulkar happen. Moin misses a sure shot stumping of Tendulkar as their partnership nears 100 and as both batsmen come out of their shell - Tendulkar hits Saq for 4 fours in an over. Wasim and Waqar return and are manhandled straight away, so that Waqar is replaced by Saqlain after just 1 over. Mongia hits Saq for a 6 to reach 50. And then.... Akram gets the breakthrough. But its only 54 runs for India. Too late? How about at 254/6 with Joshi looking rock solid and Tendulkar still there. Only 16 runs behind pakistan. Its all over. Time to finally turn off the browser? 16 runs to get; 4 wickets in hand. Tendulkar at 136. Joshi who was
not out at 25 in the first innings has hit Saqlain for a six to get to 7....Too late again?

And then...Saqlain gets Tendulkar. Each reload of the commentary page is physically painful
after that. But there weren`t too many refreshes required. In the next 4 runs Saqlain and Wasim get the tail out. Saqlain bags 10 for the match.

12 runs. Can`t believe the sides are so even, ones batting strength and poor bowling canceling the others brittle batting and top-ranked bowling. Even if the result cannot be enjoyed by all fans, the match was an utter treat. I finally realized why Test Cricket is beyond compare. Its the slowness that kills you. Slow, tortuous suspense.


And now since there are still a few nagging minutes left to Sunrise, I think I will go and watch the video of Saeed Anwar`s record setting one-day innings.

re: Saad
SRT is finally out 136 with the score at 255 16 runs from victory. You have to watch the guy to believe it.
Now, I shall concede that Pakistan has won.
Till SRT is out there with heap big fire in his belly No one dare predict otherwise.

ok SRT out on 254/7 , India 258 all out. oye buloody helll.

I need to go mourn now.

Oye SRT kitthon art thou now ? 16 runs away.....alas

Congratulations Pakistan !!!!

It is 3:30 AM California time. A Great bowling
effort by not only the W`s but the big S
(Saqlain).
Looking forward to Tendulkar in the next match too. The teams appear to be almost evenly matched.

Ras

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Pakistan by 12 runs.

Tendulkar n.o. at 106. India need about 80 to win. Wasim and Waqar are (finally) back in the attack. Too late? Personally I think so.

So Moin just missed a clear stumping chance for Tendulkar off Saqlain. From Cricinfo:

``Saqlain Mushtaq to Tendulkar, no run, comes down the track!....
misses but Moin Khan makes the costliest mistake in his life misses the ball, and... this could be too damn costly``

Incidentally T. just hit Saq for 4 fours in that over.

To all who think Moin should be in the team over Rashid because Moin is a better bat...lets talk after Akram makes his concession speech tomorrow morning.

Hmm...

I thought it was over at 82 for 5 but its 145 for 5 now at Tea. Unless the Partnership is broken in the next 25 runs, the advantage goes back to India. I want to see Akram back. I still think its going to be him or Waqar who will get the breakthru.

I was planning on turning but it looks now like its going to be a long night.

Anyone else up??

Pakistan beat Tendulkar and won the match on the 4th day. Test cricket won at every moment. A great match.

IMO Pakistan deserved to win after they bowled out India in the first innings. Kudos to Akram for bringing back the Pakistan team from the living dead.