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Looking Ahead : India vs Pakistan 3rd Test at Rawalpindi

A Preview on the 3rd Test by Venkat     

     As the sun finally sets on the historic India vs Pakistan cricket series, the last few days of these enthralling, entertaining, absorbing matches will be spent at Rawalpindi, which hosts the third and final test of the Samsung Cup Test Series. This test match is quite a memorable one, as its noted to be the Golden Jubilee Test Match between India and Pakistan and also that one of Pakistan's cricketing legends, Waqar Younis, will be felicitated by the PCB for his contributions to the country's cricketing glory over the last decade. Both teams in the series, have shared even honours, with Pakistan making a spirited comeback and all in all, this, the Third Test match looks to be a perfect finish to redefinition of cricket between India and Pakistan. So who will break the deadlock, and take away the glory...Cricketfundas.com brings to its readers an exclusive preview ahead of the "Grand Finale".

Pitch:- 

     After the calculated risk taken by Pakistan to produce a bowler-friendly pitch, which ultimately paid off for the hosts, the Rawalpindi wicket does look to be somewhat similar to the Lahore one. One thing that may suggest that this track could be a bowler friendly one, is the speculation over Pakistan playing 4 pacemen. There is little to say at least for the moment, as to how good will this track be for batting, but to sum it up...a bowler's backyard on Day 1 and due to the climatic conditions, one feels that it will be easier to bat on Day 2,3 into Day 4. A hard surface might take some while to crumble, but it will indeed take some spin on Day 4 into Day 5.

Team Analysis

India:-

      India was out bowled by their opponents at Lahore. They did indeed pay a heavy penalty for their complacent attitude and not living upto their statements which "expected the Pakistanis to come hard at them". The Indian batters looked in a state of resignation while facing the Pakistani pacemen without respecting their abilities and then it looked an ominous task to even have a percentage chance of coming back. Although, the umpiring looked ambiguous and sub-standard, it was the lack of intensity and looking-forwardness that let the Indians down. With speculation and hints of Yuvraj Singh opening the batting with Sehwag, Akash Chopra has no options but to sit out as regular skipper Saurav Ganguly comes back into the line-up. Ashish Nehra could replace the rusty and lackluster Ajit Agarkar and by far the only changes as far as the XI is concerned. With the top order buckling down to some good intensified pressure by the Pakistani bowlers, its time for the likes of Laxman and Dravid to put their hands up and be counted. India's bowling looks formidable with novice Irfan Pathan and Laxmipathy Balaji in good form and Anil Kumble, who looked rather impotent at Lahore. If any test will bring out the true character of this team, it is this one at Pindi. But will they pass this hurdle with ease....its time for us to wait and see!

Pakistan: -

     After the blues at Multan, it took nothing short of hard work and character for Pakistan to overcome the formidable Indian team. But, the days in between matches have made Pakistan worry rather than celebrate their success. Umar Gul, the hero of Lahore will not be playing at Pindi, moreover Shabbir Ahmed, another pacemen, has been ruled unfit. Speculations over Mohammad Sami’s fitness grow by the minute as the team doctor has ruled him “fit” for the match. With senior players like Abdul Razzaq and Moin Khan already ruled unfit, these injuries just a few days ahead of the game might come as a huge loss for the home team. Shoaib Akhtar seems to have gathered some momentum after the 2^nd Inning haul of 3 wickets and an added advantage for him to go flat out is that he is playing in his hometown of Rawalpindi. Their rather inexperienced and underestimated batting line-up surprisingly has backed the bowlers well. Inzamam Ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana have been in scintillating touch since the Multan Massacre, but this match is what will test their true tenacity and character. Pakistan have for sure got the momentum ahead of the third test, but will they make the best of it?? A question perhaps Inzamam and co could only be the right ones to answer.

     At the end of the day, we hope that this game goes down to the last ball of the fifth day, unlike the tradition of a 4day or a 5day and 2 overs finish we have been used to in this series so far. Multan and Lahore will be termed as “history”, but will Rawalpindi prove to be a historical venue for India’s first series win in Pakistan ?? Will India pull the chains on the Rawalpindi Express in his own station ?? The answers to these questions will be out on the 17^th !