Ramiz Raja: India's lethargic approach helped Pakistan

[jacky007]

Ramiz Raja: Well, finally for the first time in this series, we saw Pakistan challenge India with a fightback that will be remembered for a very long time. The [Kamran] Akmal-Misbah [ul-Haq] show had tenacity, flair and quality. They mastered the demons in the pitch and the Indian spinners with ease. Both hundreds were special for different reasons. If Akmal had not scored runs, he would have lost his place in the [playing] XI in Bangalore and Misbah's hundred, being his first, will always be precious, because he got it under a lot of pressure. Such demonstration of grit can work wonders for a team that has been forced to take a secondary role in this series so far. India, after a highly successful first session, surprisingly went flat in the last two. [Anil] Kumble released the foot of the pedal when Akmal and Misbah got going. With runs to play with, he could have easily managed a few more fielders around the bat when the two batsmen were ruling the passage of play. Zaheer [Khan] was unlucky when Akmal was dropped by Munaf [Patel] off a bouncer. Zaheer bowled intelligently on a pitch that was excruciatingly slow. Even with all the wear and tear on the pitch, the ball surprisingly did not jump from the business area for the spinners. Its slowness also allowed Misbah and Akmal to play the spiners off the back foot, which spinners generally hate. India did not look too engaged in the proceedings, probably because of the history of the Eden Gardens pitch. It [usually] remains good for batting even though optically, it gives you the impression of a war-zone. The lethargic approach [of the Indians] in the middle period helped the Pakistani players shrug off the pressure of the pitch and of the opposition. India looked happier reacting than pre-empting the situation. Kumble could have used [sourav] Ganguly for a few more overs with the new ball as Akmal had struggled against him, just before the second new ball was taken. Kumble could have also gambled with Ganguly because he had the support of the local crowd. Pakistan is still a few runs short of its first target - to save the follow-on. The debate for India will be [whether] to enforce the follow-on - if it comes to that - or bat and insert Pakistan on day five; because I don't think India would want to chase a target on the last day. But the balance has shifted and even though Pakistan still look vulnerable, they've done enough to earn the respect of their opposition. Such a fightback will help them recover ground, not only in this game, but will also make them mentally stronger for the last Test in Bangalore. If they can draw this, it will be counted as a win.

[fineleg]

Ramiz Raja: India, after a highly successful first session, surprisingly went flat in the last two. [Anil] Kumble released the foot of the pedal when Akmal and Misbah got going. .

Yep - unfortunately we we let the foot off the pedal :eyedance: Hopefully we can put in a spirited effort day-4, session-1

[kumble_rocks]

Rameez Raja is certainly an expert Monday morning quaterback. Moron speaks from hindsight all the time.

[Bumper]

Rameez Raja's insights are nothing more than what you cannot decipher from the score card yourself.

[The Outsider]

Post match analysis threads on this website are more interesting to read than the crap dished out by supposed expert, Rameez Raja. I read the above article twice to try and find out something which a casual cricket fan like me would not have noticed and noted and only someone with an experience of 20+ years in international cricket would have managed to convey.

[Guest Hiten.]

Its pretty funny cuz Pak fans blame Rameez of being 'pro' indian while commentating and we indian fans blame rameez for being 'pro' retard.... guess only way out for rameez is to quit commentating :giggle:

[Captain of Bhangra]

If they can draw this' date=' it will be counted as a win.[/quote'] As was Mohali '05. Striking similarities. Not good. I will (again) be devastated at anything less than a series win, and extremely annoyed if we don't win this match...

[fineleg]

CoB, We definitely should be annoyed if we let them draw here. There are some ICF ers who get annoyed if I express my frustration right away, so I will wait for 2 days for this Test to get over before I say too many things here. Our team better win.