Related Links

By Ashwat Ramani

Yet another India- Pakistan match, yet another clash between arch-rivals. Always that tension, that excitement, that passion and that glory of Cricket at its very best!

Easily the match of the tournament, simply because of the magnitude of the class displayed by both these teams, and the hype surrounding every match between these two teams… Pakistan went into this match with its ego very badly hurt from its sore loss against the Lankan Lions. They needed to win this match against all odds against India to stay in contention for a berth in the finals. India had to guard their own skin against the hungry Pakistan team. They could afford to lose this match but that would only make matters worse. It was the first time that India and Pakistan were clashing at the Premadasa.

Flip Of the Coin

There was no Toss Ka Boss from any corner to help Sourav win the toss. The coin rolled according to Inzy’s tune and Pakistan were going to bat first. Pakistan retained the same XI that played against Sri Lanka. India lost Laxman who was struggling with his knee and Anil Kumble was brought back. The Indians played 5 bowlers, after quite a long time. For the first time ever, Harbhajan was playing a ODI against Pakistan.

 

Pakistan's Batting

Pakistan were off to a bad start as they lost Imran Nazir in the very first over, plumb in front to Irfan Pathan. The Pakistan Coach - Bob Woolmer, decided to experiment with Shoaib Malik at No. 3, as this move had turned out to be quite successful with players like Klusener and Boje when he was the coach of South Africa. Shoaib Malik came in and went hammer and tongs at the Indian Bowlers from ball one. Pathan was very difficult to hit at one end, where as at the other end, Balaji was gifting runs in the form of wides and loose balls. The pair of Hameed and Malik went on to add 103 runs for the 2nd wicket. Anil Kumble was introduced into the attack and Yasir Hameed tried to upset the bowler by coming down the track but eventually got bowled after the ball hit Yasir's pads and rolled on to the stumps. The Captain came in to the crease at the fall of Hameed's wicket and got into the groove immediately. He along with Malik hit some lusty blows to the boundary especially of Harbhajan and Kumble. The first six came of Inzamam's bat as he danced down the track to Harbhajan and hit him straight down the ground. Eventually, Harbhajan took sweet revenge by dismissing Inzamam, with Yuvraj completing a fine catch at square leg. Youhana came in next to partner Malik who was going strong at the other end. Malik reached his century (his 4th in ODI's) of just 95 balls in the 37th Over. Thereafter, there was no stopping him, as he hit Balaji for a huge six over long on and set the tone for a huge total for Pakistan. Kumble then dismissed Youhana for 29 with Pakistan at 234/4. Then wickets fell at regular intervals, as the Pakistani tail failed to wag. Shoaib Malik eventually got out for a match-winning 143 of just 127 balls, which included 18 fours and 1 six. Pakistan's Innings finally ended at 300/9 of 50 Overs. Sachin Tendulkar took 3/28, and Pathan ended up with 3/52.
 

The Indian Chase

Just a few days prior to the Asia Cup conditioning camp, Sehwag made his desire to score a double hundred in ODIs. And what an irony it has been, Sehwag has not even reached 100 runs in the 4 innings he had in this Cup. Shabbir Ahmed, who was given the new ball instead of Sami, justified the move by removing Sehwag in his 1st over. That was a major setback for India chasing a huge score of 301 and with Sachin not at all keen on exploiting the first 15 overs, it was all the more difficult. Ganguly was brutalized by Shoaib Akthar, who was hurling the ball at consistent speeds of above 150 kmph in the rib cage. But Ganguly showed the courage that is expected at this level and stood up to the challenge. An inside out lofted cover drive for 6 off Shabbir from Sourav got things moving. Tendulkar was playing with caution and playing those delicate leg glances. Md.Sami who replaced Shoaib was fiercely cut by Ganguly; but soon Ganguly (39 in 45 balls) was bowled with the ball deflecting from his thigh pad onto the stumps. In form batsman, Rahul Dravid had a short stay at the crease as he was beaten by a sharp inswinger from Razzaq and India were now in trouble at 94/3 in 16.0 overs. Yuvraj partnered Tendulkar and the two played well to take India to 139/4 before Yuvraj fell to the slowness of the track, caught and bowled by Malik for 28. Kaif was run out to dash India’s hopes of winning the match. With Irfan Pathan joining Tendulkar, it was the most boring part of the match with runs not at all coming. Sachin Tendulkar was just taking the 1s and wasn’t making any effort to hit the big shots. When Sachin finally felt like scoring some quick runs, he was out, caught at mid wicket off Shoaib Malik. Sachin got out to 78, which took as many as 103 balls. Irfan Pathan’s innings ended soon at his personal score of 38 from 75 balls (his highest score in ODIs) and India at 233/8. India somehow scraped to 241/8 to take the bonus point.

India take on Sri Lanka in a must win situation on 27th July for a summit clash with the same opposition at Premadasa. That will be the semi final for India literally!

 

Top of the Page