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From the Cricket Journal

It was indeed an absorbing day of cricket we had from the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan - cartographically, Peshawar. It was a case of swinging pendulums off and on, but as the end reveals, it swung towards Pakistan not without a paper (Duckworth/Lewis method) attached to it. With 18 runs needed and 18 balls left, many emotions might have left their mark on individuals - delight, dejection, doubts and indeed satisfaction. But, the implications would be stronger. Does this loss to Pakistan raise another finger over the Chappell-Dravid combine ? Or does it mean we weren't good enough to get 'em ? Or the scars of previous matches are still lingering over the Indian minds ? There are many such questions this game has raised, and indeed the next four matches will try to provide us with suitable answers one hopes.
 

Try asking any Indian fan about what he thinks about the outcome of this game, and he'd answer you skeptically. To an extent, I do reflect his opinion, but another way of sorting this would be to objectively look at the situation and react to it. Pakistan looked the more comfortable side on display today, and deservedly were awarded the game. This brings me to a question concerning venues. How on earth did the PCB decide on playing at Peshawar at this time of the year, when the sun sets early, and with virtually no light there ? I am not a fan of the 'rotational' policy the cricket boards adopt to give various centers a good enough look-in. It would have indeed been a better idea to have all these games under-lights as it masks the advantages and disadvantages of an external factor like the D/L Method coming into play. Even though this game does not provide a good case, matches played in New Zealand in the winter are severe examples of win-the-toss, bowl-first, and while chasing and get Duckworth and Lewis into action. Lets not call it an excuse or a cover-up for India's follies, but something worth a think for the cricket authorities i.e. the cricket boards and the ICC.

Apart from the Duckworth/Lewis method, another new visitor made his way into the scoresheets - a dismissal by the name "Obstructing the Field". Inzamam-Ul-Haq was given out obstructing the field, when he tried to protect himself from a Suresh Raina throw from mid-off. It was really weird to see a batsman get out in this fashion. Unlucky he might consider himself to be, the wicket really spurred Indian hopes at that point, only in dismay. If my memory serves me right, Rameez Raja was the first ever batter to be dismissed and now has Inzamam for company. In accordance with the law, I feel that 'obstructing the field' and 'handling the ball' are the most bizarre forms of dismissals ever known in the game. Nobody complains, as long as it adds a tinge of thrill to the drama.

It is always a good sight, when one sees youngsters perform. And, there is no bigger platform for a youngster from either India or Pakistan than a cricket match between these two countries. Today it was the A and B show - I think I got it right ! - Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt showed the world, what difference sticking to basics can do. Mohammad Asif, however inexperienced he may be, masked it all and bowled, what I consider as one of the best ODI performances in the last one year. His 3/30 off 9.4 overs paved the way for Pakistan to strangle the Indian advance to end with, and his impeccable line and length posed many a question to the Indian batsmen, which they simply failed to answer. This lad is here to stay folks.

Another nemesis of the Indians, Salman Butt was on the prowl again. He did more than a reasonable job with his 101, setting the contest up in Pakistan's favour. I quite enjoyed his delightful strokes, his straight drives were too good for a line and the composition of the knock was exemplary. He was cautious at the beginning and as he discovered the lopsidedness of the Indian attack, stepped on the gas, and carved his way to the century. A key factor that Rameez Raja brought on commentary was competition. It is really intriguing to see what competition can do to an individual - motivate you to perform better, or just deflate you and hang up your boots. With Imran Farhat breathing down his neck, a brilliant performance was required, and Salman was upto the task. It is also interesting to know how certain players have a liking towards certain bowling attacks. Salman seems to have his hands full on the men from across the border. All his hundreds have been against India (Kolkata, Jamshedpur and now Peshawar) and seemingly followed Saeed Anwar's footsteps - the knack of scoring biggies against the Indians. Coincidence or what ! I hope in the coming matches, Salman plays well and keeps us fans entertained with his wristy drives.

That's all for now, will be back before and after the Rawalpindi ODI.
 

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