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From the Cricket Journal

Karachi played host to what was an expected outcome. After seeing 10 days of test cricket in the lurch, Pakistan for one showed the world how a home series should be played. Defensive, their strategy might be called by many cricket analysts including me, but at the end of it all, they might just flaunt their result to prove its effectiveness. As an Indian, most of my readers from across the border might feel as though it's just another sulk, but as a cricket lover, a result - no matter who got it was all I was waiting for. Let's hand it over to Pakistan for all they did in the last four days to demonstrate how Test cricket should be played.
 

Credit should go to the deserved, and in this case it was the Pakistani think-tank. To be very fair and frank, the batting credentials of the Pakistani team was never in doubt, except maybe for the openers, but the way the men-in-green came out and batted surely deserves a great mention. They were indeed stung by the brilliance of an Irfan Pathan hat-trick first thing in the morning, but overcoming hopelessness into a position of strength, largely to Kamran Akmal's continued heroics by and large shows the faith and the mental attributes of this team. It seems a ready outfit now, raring to have a crack at tougher opponents and ready to grab success by the first knock on the door. The second innings was where Pakistan showed their true colours. No one ever doubted their talent, but finding the right time convert it into performance was the key, and they made sure to knock India out of the game by the earliest, eradicating that one ray of hope that could turn into a miracle, as its happened in the past. And, this was the future of Pakistan cricket on display. The Mohammad Asifs, the Kamran Akmals really stood up to the challenge, when most of us doubted Pakistan's chances due to the absence of skipper Inzamam. All that one can say after seeing this performance from Pakistan is, that the future holds good and continuing this rich vein of momentum into the future would be the biggest challenge for Woolmer and Co.

These India-Pakistan series provide a great scope for some horses to turn into heroes. This time it was the turn of Mohammad Asif. This Sheikhupura-born lad reminds me of a fully hair-grown Laxmipathy Balaji steaming to bowl in 2004. The lad has the potential to be one of Pakistan's best emerging talents. The subtle deception in pace that he has, along with the nagging line and length he bowls surely had some Indian batsmen searching for their off-stump and it is about time that he is given more exposure and experience in this form of the game. But, it will be upto him to transform himself from an unknown quantity to a strike bowler ala Irfan Pathan. If he can keep his recent success in check and use it as a precedent to move forward, nothing... I repeat nothing can stop this man from becoming a top-bowler in International cricket. For all one can see, it's early days in his career and I hope he doesn't fall into the Mohammad Sami school of cricket.

For now, the whites can go for a much deserved wash. Both teams, especially India need to gather some positives quickly to move into the ODI series. If Ashes is all about tests, an India-Pakistan series is surely all about ODIs, however the purists may pose the "TEST CRICKET IS THE REAL THING" theory. Yes, both teams are playing good cricket but besides the usual attributes of pressure, competition and on-the-day performances, it will now be a different challenge for both teams to adapt quickly to this form of the game. The team that does it earlier surely holds the edge. India, one hopes will turn into a totally different unit, with fresher pairs of legs on the way while Pakistan have to do repeat the right things over and over again to make sure they do not lose the contest. I do not know who to give the edge in this contest, as it seems too close to call. If I have to make a call between both teams, I would go for India to bag it, on a purely intuitional basis rather than analysis, but in my good cricketing senses, I would surely put Pakistanis as the heavier weight between the two. If India do win this series, all will be forgiven for the Test series loss, but if it goes the other way, I am sure the country will be back with their theories and opinions about the team. So, India has everything to play for - the Hutch Cup, Pride and reinforcing the faith of them being a quality side.

This post may seem Pakistan-centric, but carries the true sentiment of a cricket writer, however biased or unbiased as it may be!

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