Pakistan vs India 2nd test Kolkata 16-20 march

[imaginarydiva]

God Bless Steve Bucknor cuz he'll need them after all my curses (and the curses of millions of other Sachin-o-holics).That was such a pathetic decision that he gave to Sachin.Even the wicket keeper didnt appeal.I wonder how he didn't feel ashamed doing such a stupid thing in his 100th test match.That knock by Sachin was simply superb.It reminded me of Sachin in his early days.He was in ominous form.As usual a treat to watch.Its a pity things had to end that way.

[workkey]

i feel sorry for sachin but the decision of youhana is also doubted and not to forget that inzi suffered twice in the last match

[Zainub]

I'm sorry to learn Imaginarydiva if you really think so

I know it was a big error in judgment from Steve Bucknor, but its only a game still, why would anyone feel like cursing him, especially not with the kind of test match he had had before that decesion, he was imaculate, in fact both umpires have done a fantastic job in this test, this was their first mistake I can think of.

And this is all part and parcel of the game really ... Today when Sachin was on 51, he was given out caught behind off Razzaq when there was clear day light between bat and ball and you think that was a "pathetic decision"....but just last week Sachin was given not out when a clear inside edge had been taken by Asim Kamal off the bowling of Danish Kaneria (he was on 8 then, and went on to make 95) ...it can be argued that perhaps that decesion was equally pathetic, I don't suppose you cursed the umpire then, or did you ?

What goes around certainly does come around, Indian fans should really take a chil pill and move on, one bad decesion should not and will not affect the result of this game, eventually the team who applies them selves better and absorbs the pressure better will prevail, like it always happens in test cricket.

This has been such a fantastic test match, which the momentum swinging one way then the other, like a pendulum, and the generall quality of the cricket has been great, any whinning about umpiring decesion now seems in really bad tatse, at least to me.

And its not that I'm saying this only because Sachin's dismissal helped Pakistan's cause, I said the exact same thing last week when a few calls went against us in Mohali. Luck has really evened it self out in this series, and both sides have proabably got an equal amount of good and bad decesions.

[Nikhil]

Good test match. Dravid is once again the key. Ganguly and Laxman have to do better than they did in the first inning to give India a chance of winning this match.

I think Steve Bucknor should retire. It's not just this test, but his decisions are deteriorating for a while now. He has officiated in 100 tests now. So it's an achievement for him, but I think he's in the twilight years of his umpiring career. He has been brilliant, but all good things come to an end.

Anyway, the test is in tantalising balance and it little twist is going to turn the match on it's head. I can't wait for Day-4 to begin.

[Zainub]

Anyway, the test is in tantalising balance and it little twist is going to turn the match on it's head. I can't wait for Day-4 to begin.

Neither can I Nikhil, I still think we've got a pretty decent chance. Abdul Razzaq was really starting to get some reverse swing going on with that old ball late in the day today, and we have already seen how difficult it can be to get the old ball away from Pakistan and India's collapse in the later half of each of their first innings.

And for the first time in seemingly ages Mohammad Sami actually took wickets with the new ball, and threatenned to take more wickets as well later on. This is certainly heartenning news for the followers of Pakistan Cricket. It's been a long time coming his arrival back to form. And hopefully it will stay for a long time as well. That yorker to Ghambir was truely a peach, that's the Sami we all like to see. And I hope it always remains that way.

Things are not going to be easy for India, that's for sure, and even more difficult for Pakistan batting last, chasing to win the game. The wicket is now progressively getting worse to bat on, slower and slower, with occasionally balls keeping low as well. Still though its much better then some other wickets are like on days 3, 4 and 5. With a little bit of application and concentration, you can make runs on this surface. It's not unplayable like the Mumbai wicket. Far from it in fact. Just requires perhaps a little more concentration, and obviously some luck, as Sachin will tell you!

Rahul Dravid certainly will be the key, he looked his usual, unruffled and assured self at the crease today. I'm sure over night we'll be thinking long and hard devising a plan to get him out quickly. Ganguly has been dismissed quite a few times by Razzaq (I think about 6 times at least in tests and one-days combined) and he has not been in good form of late, then there is Laxman to follow, who will also be under some pressure, if we can get a couple of early wickets tomorrow any thing would be possible.

Every run from now on will be absolutely crucial. Anything in the region of 225-250 will be a gettable total I think, beyond that, it will not be impossible, but improbable, as Sherry would put it.

Abdul Razzaq for me money is going to be an important bowler for us tomorrow, might just prove to be trump card for us. Mohammad Sami and Danish Kaneria's contributions will also be vital. The others will try and have to perform a support role. With the runs beginning to become such an important entity, it will be absolutely crucial that the likes of Khalil and Afridi be relatively economical whenever the skipper hands them the ball. We cannot afford going at four an over from here on in. We simply cannot.

However everything said and done, experience has taught me to expect the unexpected in Pakistan-India matches, in only this test match, things have gone back and forth in India and Pakistan's favor, neither side can be underestimated, nothing can be predicted, really a fascinating test match this. And very intrigingly poised as well.

[Nikhil]

Yeah, anything above 250 is going to get some getting. Even if the pitch may not be the worst Eden pitch, the pressure is going to be tremendous.

Ganguly is due an inning for a time and he won't get a better opportunity than this. Home pitch, large crowd and a tremendously balanced test match. But then, Ganguly is not one of the best batsmen, so I won't count on him much. Laxman though has fond memories of this ground . Any lead of about 300 will be a massive shot in the arms for the bowlers.

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by workey

decision of youhana is also doubted

Not playing a shot at delivery that was most certainly going to hit the stumps, although it probably struck marginally out side the line of off stump, but not offering a shot...you're asking for trouble if you're doing that. Correct decision in my opinion.If I was the umpire, I would have given that out as well.

Originally Posted by Nikhil

Ganguly is due an inning for a time and he won't get a better opportunity than this. Home pitch, large crowd and a tremendously balanced test match. But then, Ganguly is not one of the best batsmen, so I won't count on him much. Laxman though has fond memories of this ground

Ganguly has looked scartchy, somewhat unassured, I reckon the pressure of expectation is probably going to get the better of him. Laxman might succeed though, although I'm praying that wouldn't happen either.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

Not playing a shot at delivery that was most certainly going to hit the stumps, although it probably struck marginally out side the line of off stump, but not offering a shot...you're asking for trouble if you're doing that. Correct decision in my opinion.If I was the umpire, I would have given that out as well.

The trajectory was fine, it was the height I was unsure about. Hit him on the flap, standing upright, on the front foot, while he was playing forward....suggests some doubt. Anyway, all done now.

[Zainub]

Anyway, all done now

Yes, all done now. I've just written some feedback to cric info, I'm dissapointed so much fuss has been made out of the Tendulkar dismissal. I'm wondering where all these suggestions of bringing in more technology into the game were when this very Sachin Tendulkar benefitted from the human element last week in Mohali? I don't remember anyone making this much noise when Inzamam was on the receiving end of some doubtful decesions, also in Mohali. Why is that the talk of technology arises only when someone as high profile as Sachin Tendulkar is affected? I'm a little disapointed.

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Nikhil

I think Steve Bucknor should retire. It's not just this test, but his decisions are deteriorating for a while now. He has officiated in 100 tests now. So it's an achievement for him, but I think he's in the twilight years of his umpiring career. He has been brilliant, but all good things come to an end.

What are you basing that on? The ball deviated sharply as it passed Tendulkar's bat, it looked like it had taken an edge but subsequently it was shown that it was just late swing. But then Bucknor didn't have access to tv replays. I know I have complained about some umpires giving batsmen out while playing a long way forward, but that is because I've very rarely seen it in cricket until now. It's hardly the same as a genuine mistake.

IMO India should be praying that Bucknor doesn't report some of the Indian bowlers for wild and excessive appealing. Rudi, Hair and Broad certainly weren't prepared to put up with such antics in the last test match.