During the first week of January, one thing that remained on focus was India tour of Pakistan. Billed as one of the most intense series, with more than billion eyes expected to watch the action unfold, some rated this series, as high as Ashes. Energised by the series victory against English at home, and Shoaid Aktar finding his rhythm in the company of Sami and Rana the series was heavily loaded against Pakistan. India, having beaten Sri Lanka fair and square in One day and test matches at home and drawing the series against South Africa, under the new leader Dravid and Coach Chappel were really geared to take up any challenge thrown at them.
During the run-up, Indians were warned to be prepared to take on the pace attack of shoaib & co on a green track at Lahore. The result is here for everybody to see:1089 runs scores in 220.5 overs claiming 11 wickets; Second world highest opening partnership of 410 runs between Sehwag and Dravid; 5 centuries and 1 double century and the match ending in a Draw.
Taking on the flake for preparing such tame pitches, the PCB sent its curator much earlier to Faisalabad, venue for Second test match. From individual skill, team strength and its strategy the focus shifted to 22 yard strip. Team selection for the second match test match, clearly showed who is gaining momentum in the series. R P Singh, left arm medium pacer was brought in place of Sourav Ganguly. Pakistan preferred Imran Farhat and Razzaq for their pacemen Rana and Sami. Indians were prepared to take agressive, bold decisions whereas pakistan preferred to be on "Safe mode".
With the pressure of preparing a track that to produce a much more competive game of cricket, the test match produced.....1702 runs in 426.4 overs claiming 30 wickets; 6 centuries and 2 near centuries; match ending in a draw.
With two placid tracks, batsman's paradise, bowlers graveyard......the end result is, boring game of cricket with series level at 0-0 and the team head to Karachi for the last test starting on 29th January.
After losing the home series in 2004, i expected a better fight back from Pakistan. But the kind of wickets that were offered, seldom gave any room for tussle between these countries. I came across a comment by one of the former cricketer in one of his news paper column, that this series is underlined for friendship and peace. I think the Pakistan Cricketers took this statement literally and wanted a win-win situation, what better way to acheive with series drawn. At the end of any series, we will have to pick a man of the series. I think this series deserves much more than that. So, i porpose to nominate the pitch curator and PCB for this years Nobel Peace Prize. I think they have earned this!
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