Pakistan vs India 2nd test Kolkata 16-20 march

[Zainub]

I'm actually something of a Sami hopeful my self too you know, he's been in the past very unlucky, and I've talked to Rach many times about him, but I just can't help it, in this series, he's just bowled poorly, very poorly

[Paoli]

Thats what you needed. Hopefully cleaning up the tail for less than 400 will give you a chance

Stumps Called.

[Zainub]

I'm an iternal optimist, I'm hoping to skittle them out tomorrow for less then 350

[Shaka]

Losing Dravid is a massive blow for India. I would say that they shouldn't reach 400 with the new ball available but the way we have bowled with it I'll keep my mouth shut just yet It strikes me that if we could get a couple of wickets with the new ball in these games we could really get into the Indian batting but we keep getting them off to a flyer. This is going to be a very interesting test match, Pakistan can bat well enough but India have four genuine wicket-taking bowlers so it will be hard work. Should be a good match.

[Maranello]

That's an excellent summary Shaka. A great afternoon for Pakistan, four wickets, including Dravid with the last ball of the day. Two wickets in the first two sessions was not so good - in all three of their innings, India have managed opening stands of 80+. I don't think Gambhir and Sehwag are that good; its out new ball bowlers who seem pretty ineffective. We are missing Rao and Shahid Nazir, and leaving them both out and including one-day specialists was not a sensible move, as I stated at the time.

India's tail (nos.8-11) is actually the strongest around in terms of their average. The usual foursome of Pathan + Harbhajan + Kumble + Zaheer averages more than any other last four. In the current Test, the no.11 Zaheer has been replaced by Balaji, who seems a better bat (just ask Shoaib Akhtar!). Hence I would not be surprised if these guys manage to stick around for the whole first session tomorrow morning. We do not have good new ball bowlers or even someone who can reverse it progidously. Kaneria and Afridi might be a better bet, but we shall see. I would be delighted if we do get them for below 400 though.

On a true batting track, against a weak bowling attack, batting first after winning the toss - I think 400 is probably below par. Should be a good Test, the fact that India have four good, attacking bowlers, and that we are batting fourth against Kumble and Harbhajan are what place India slightly ahead after Day 1, but after Mohali, it would be unwise for the Indians to take Pakistan lightly!

[Zainub]

Yes, I think I agree with both of you, India have got bowlers that are inform, but I also think its vital to remember that the wicket is very flat, I'm not expecting Balaji and co to swing the ball as much here as they did in Mohali, differnet conditions these, much more batsmen friendly.

On the subject of the new ball, on the evidence of

A)Sami's inability to utiliize it to good affect so far in this series (and may be over his career as well too) and
B) Razzaq's diciplined bowling throughout the day and ability to swing the ball somewhat

Don't you think it would make sense for Inzi to give new ball to Razzaq and Khalil (who was at least better then Sami)? However poorly he will bowl at least he'll be better of then Sami, who clearly at this point in time is taking it for granted that Pakistan will continue selecting him just 'cause he can bowl 140 ks plus, he need IMHO to be brought back down to earth, otherwise a potentially world class fast bowler will be lost

Another fact that also needs to be considered is that Inzi is suffering from a bad back, I think he might have hurt him self taking that catch of Sehwag. Younis Khan was in charge of the troops in the last session, I wonder how this is going to affect Inzi's batting. Last time he had back problems in the middle of a match it was in Perth in Aus and geesh he played terribly, made 1 and 0 and got bowled both times, I hope (desperatly) that this time its not anything serious

[Shaka]

I think Inzimam had stomach cramps and not a bad back...apparently he was vomiting. If it's his back he will be in trouble as it seriously affects his form as you have already noted Zainub. As for Razzaq being given the new ball, I don't see why not. At least he would put it in the right areas and bowl with discipline. Although he is mainly a bowler who slants it in, with the old ball he was getting a few to cut the other way too today. He looks a much better bowler on the few occasions he can do this. Sami at the moment is a liability with the new ball.

[Freddie=GOD]

I think it was an even day today, but India kind of gave it away to Pakistan in the ned again.

Here's a summary of the players' dismisalls.

Sehwag: Played a rash shot. Gave his wicket away.
Ganguly: There was no need to be agressive at all at that time. Had he not got out, India could have scored 500 +. Again gave his wicket away.
Laxman: No feet movement, looked dodgy. gave his wicket away.
Dravid: Got done in by a good ball. Played very well.

As for the rest, well, i couldn't watch them so i dont have a great idea of what happened to the others.

Tomorrow, I think the 1st half an hour is going to be extremely crucial. Let's see what happens!!!

[Zainub]

I think Inzimam had stomach cramps and not a bad back...apparently he was vomiting. If it's his back he will be in trouble as it seriously affects his form as you have already noted Zainub.

Apparently Chishty Mujhahid was misinformed. I was listening to his radio comentary when I wrote that post.

I found about the stomach cramps my self in the afternoon. I'm wondering what Inzi had for lunch I hope this is not some sort of a conspiracy theory by the home side to deprive us the services of our best batsmen (and captain) ..

[Zainub]

As for the rest, well, i couldn't watch them so i dont have a great idea of what happened to the others.

Gautum Gambhir's dismissal probably can also be put down to a batsman's mistake (over adventouresness rather) then to a really great dilevery, it was actually a very straight and full ball, he tried to sweep it (against the spin too) but he missed and was adjudged leg before, it was a fair decesion

And although the shot Sehwag played to get out can't exactly be described as being a good one, but that lad is probably over due a failure now more than anything else, and he did make 81 runs!

Laxman and Ganguly are the main culprits as far as I'm concerned, Ganguly just didn't get started at all, and they way he was getting beaten every other ball or so perhaps it was only a matter of time before he got out .. I guess u've also gotto give some credit to Razzaq, he bowled with dicipline and control right through out the day, and that wicket was a good reward for perseverance (a quality few Pakistani fast bowlers have managed to show case in recent times)

And can someone remind me when was the last time this man scored a 100 against a decent attack (not that we do have a decent attack our selves right now either, but I mean barring B'desh etc) ... why is it that it seems to me that the The Prince of Calcutta (as he's locally called) has been out of form for a long time, a big innings is long over due in my opinion (hopefully it won't come until after this series end )

And you're spot on about the first session tomorrow, it will indeed be crucial to both sides