Pakistan vs India 2nd test Kolkata 16-20 march

[Zainub]

Stumps on Day 2 of the 2nd test at Eden Gardens, Calcutta: Pakistan finished day 2 at 273-2, still 136 runs behind though, which on paper is still a significant amount of runs, but having seen how flat this Eden Gardens surface has proved it self to be, and with two sets batsmen on the crease, as it is with Pakistan, it is very well possible that one can wipe this lead out in just a matter of a single session.

Our heroes today though were the two Y’s; Yousuf and Younis, two of the more under rated cricketers in world cricket, even in Pakistan cricket for that matter. Obsessed with the flamboyance of Shoaib Akhtar, and often overwhelmed by brilliance of Inzamam, the Pakistani media has perhaps over the years not highlighted the maturity of these two men enough. And these two seemingly don’t mind that either, behind the scenes, and often on it, they have quietly continued their development, in Yousuf Youhanna’s case into a truly world class batsman.

Even Yousuf though has never had long-term amity with the followers of Pakistan cricket. Instead he has had what I call ‘Interim honeymoons’ with the fans. For a week until he scores a hundred in Melbourne against the best attack in the world, he is deemed “great”. Only a few weeks and half a dozen unconverted 50s later, people are on his back again. Some very knowledge able fans at our very own WAT Cricket Forum wondered if he was test class as early as the last test (and that was after only one failure in the first innings of the test match, and the 2nd innings still to come). Forget the fans, well known and respected writers such as Kamran Abbassi seem to have this ritual of always mentioning Youhanna as someone who’s got the reputation of not delivering when the pressure is on. Of course not mentioning at any time that, that very reputation he talks of every time is his given too. Yet after all that, Yousuf Youhanna has continued to deliver.

Once in every little while he plays innings like these. Filled with shots like the one he brought his century up with from the last ball of the day, shots that can stir a slumbering soul, and stimulate the wakeful one like music does to the ears, shots that are by definition beautiful and poetic. By the way, kindly excuse all the elaboration and exaggeration, I’m gracefulness addict as far as batting is concerned and hence forth find it extremely hard not to resist to elegant and classy knocks. Unlike in Younis Khan’s case though much of the criticism Youhanna receives is often aimed at seeking improvement rather then his dropping from the national side. That’s what happens to Younis Khan. Which is why numerous people raised eyebrows when Imran Khan recommended him as a future captain of Pakistan; people argued (and perhaps justifiably) how a player who in 6 years since his test debut had not managed to cement his place in the side be considered for a post as important as the leading the side.

And after a 1 & 0 with the bat in Mohali, to accompany a horrendous display in the field, all that pre series censure of his appointment as vice skipper in place of Yousuf Youhanna took the form of a rampant surge of scorn (and ridicule even in some quarters of the media). At one radio station I had the misfortune of tuning in last weekend he was ridiculed to the extent of it the whole show becoming something of a disgrace to the idea of “cricket analysis”. I’d be honest enough to admit it that I had reservations my self of his batting, and his attitude even for that matter, but perhaps there is limit for everything, that mustn’t at any time be crossed.

After all this, it shows great strength of character and determination on Younis’ part to come out of this so strongly, and that too at such a crucial time in the series. From his managing of the troops in the last session yesterday (a session which might potentially prove to be a match winning session) to his excellent unbeaten century and 200 run + partnership with Yousuf Youhanna today (which have laid the foundation for Pakistan to make a big total), Younis Khan has showed us all that if there ever was a way to silence your doubters, there couldn’t have been any better then actually performing. Rarely will you see me or any one for that matter be so comforted and pleased at being proved hopelessly wrong

[Shaka]

Excellent write up as usual Zainub, loved the descriptive portrayal of Yoyo's batting! I know what you mean though, Youhanna is one of those guys who has effortless grace in his batting and watching him play spin bowling is truly a masterclass. I think the reason why Younis Khan comes in for so much criticism is that for a player who has such a correct technique, he doesn't go on to get enough big scores and is quite often guilty of tossing his wicket away when well set. We saw him do it several times in Australia and I think the criticism is very valid. I think Shoaib Malik doesn't looks as accomplished a batsmen but he has made better use of his talents. That said, Younis is a very gutsy player and there's nothing he could do better than to go on and score a really big hundred. It would be nice to see him doing justice to his ability.

[workkey]

Younis has shown that how much strong he is mentally after this performance
just to add more my all praises also for steve bucknor for his superb performance and also shahid afridi,although he just scored 29 but i feel he was the one to start the momentum because if a striking bowler is unsettled in the start of his spell its never easy to get back that same line and length and he was severe with both pathan and balaji,although not a good shot on which he got out but then we all know thats how he plays .

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by workkey

just to add more my all praises also for steve bucknor for his superb performance

I'd like to second that

and also shahid afridi,although he just scored 29 but i feel he was the one to start the momentum because if a striking bowler is unsettled in the start of his spell its never easy to get back that same line and length and he was severe with both pathan and balaji,although not a good shot on which he got out but then we all know thats how he plays .

Afridi isn't an opener in my books, he has got the shots, but not enough patience, in one over he tried to pull two balls that weren't even short - these qualities though do make him an excellent number 7 or 8, even in test match cricket

credit where its due though Afridi and Umar although didn't make big scores but did play out the new ball, and that you can say was job 1/4th done

I'm disapointed with Taufeeq Umar though, it seems like a long time ago when he scored those 100s against South Africa, home and away

[Ernest]

Hmm India have got two Pankistni wickets this morning, Patham claiming one,and Balaji the other but Pakistan still seem well set on 331-4.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4359401.stm

Pakistan are showing signs of impovement.

[Paoli]

363-7, great from Youhana and Younis...Not quite the three W's, but Pakistan are glad they have the 2 Y's.

[Shaka]

Pakistan are making a habit of throwing away good positions, or rescuing bad ones. If ever there was a team of two halves this is it. When the top order fail the lower order step up. When the top order succeed, the lower order decide it's time for a holiday. Oh well. At least it keeps the match interesting.

[Milo]

I think there really is only one result for this game now.

[Maranello]

My thoughts on this Shaka, which I initially posted on another thread here, was that I would not blame the lower order too much. Not sure how much of that was entirely their fault. Some good bowling there, and the Indian team built up pressure well, first through Balaji, and then by the two spinners. The pitch was also difficult to bat on, the ball keeping low, having no pace at all (it was more than 100 overs old), etc. Not many of the Pak dismissals were due to ODI-type slogs gone wrong, which is not something one can very often about our batsmen. For instance, Razzaq again played with responsibility, but was out-done by some very good spin bowling. Kamran Akmal, on the other hand, was really out of his depth against Kumble and Harbhajan bowling in tandem on such a pitch. The only one I really blame is Asim Kamal; a run-out in a Test is criminal at the best of times, and the manner of his running makes it very poor indeed. I would give more credit to the Indians, and to the fact that these teams are very closely matched hence difficult for one to take an overwhelming lead. Indians are much more experienced, and do have some true Test-class players, hence they have had the edge in both contests.

[Shaka]

I didn't see the rest of the innings so I'll take your word for it Maranello. Seems to me we might yet regret not playing a 2nd specialist spinner on this track. Afridi has done well but he isn't a bowler who will tie the batsmen down which seems to be the order of the day. It does look difficult now with Pakistan having to bat last, but you have to give credit to the Indians for picking specialist bowlers and if they reap the reward fair play to them.