1st ODI, Kochi: Pakistan vs India

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Freddie=GOD

80,000 people wathcing the match today. Man, that's mind-boggling!

Yes and this is not even a regular cricket venue, is a relatively small city in Kerala with only its fourth ever ODI. They convert the local soccer stadium into a cricket ground, and hence had such a large venue. Still, there was no shade for most of the spectators, it was almost 45C, which is boiling hot, add in the stifling himidity and conditions for spectators were atrocious. A wonder that so many turned up and watched, and fair reward for their efforts that India won so handsomely. Freddie, if you don't mind my asking, are you in India currently? What was the mood there after the Bangalore Test defeat?

[Shaka]

Not really sure what happened here today, I watched Pakistan batting serenely to reach 45 without loss in 8 overs when Kamran Akmal slapped one carelessly to point and handed India a lifeline. I leave on an errand and Pakistan have managed to lose another two wickets in a further 8 overs while adding something like 15 runs. And so it went on. The wicket looked easy enough but then I didn't see too much of today's game, perhaps it wasn't the case. I get the feeling a lot of complacency might have crept in after the last test match but it sets the rest of the series up nicely.

Incidentally, while the crowds are always great for ODI matches, where India has bragging rights over Pakistan is the test matches. Pakistan's crowds are pitiful for tests these days but India's crowds, while a bit mean-spirited, were fabulous as far as attendances go. At least they were interested enough to turn up.

[King Aragorn]

Most Pakistani fans had written of India completely for the ODI series in more or less a similar way as the Indians had underestimated the Pakistanis in the tests. And both underdogs came out fighting brilliantly. It seemed to me as if the players too were a little over-confident out there which led to their eventual undoing on a belter of pitch.

Pakistan will be wondering how it could have gone so wrong. We have quite a strong batting lineup. Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal are good openers and have shown their worth against quality attacks. Kamran Akmal is not a specialist opener but his century against West Indies showed that he can potentially do very well as an opener in one dayers. Malik is a real fighter and his chart has been moving steadily upwards since Woolmer's arrival. The only mini-slump came when his action was reported to the ICC. To follow Malik are two of our most experienced batsmen - the graceful Youhana and the ever stronger Inzi. With these men, plus our dashers at the end, we should have chased 282 with relative ease, keeping in mind the outrageous swing and the prodigious spin the bowlers got...

It was again our top order which failed. We were off to a blistering start, thanks mainly to Salman Butt. The Indians looked down and out and for once, it looked as if Pakistan might cross the 50 mark without losing 2 wickets. Alas, we lost 3.

Akmal should be made to balance all volumes of Encyclopedia Britannica on his head while standing in a corner. This pitch begged the batsmen to score and it annoyed to me to Pakistan go out with such a whimper. Akmal was given a chance to continue his fireworks thanks to Ganguly. Earlier, Ganguly had another batting failuire and was perhaps thinking of his batting at that time because he seemed to duck under the ball in a similar fashion as he would do against a Sami bouncer. Although Salman Butt didn't score big and gave away the advantage that he had built up, I was glad to see that he looked in good nick. He need to work slightly on his placement on the off side and more importantly, I think, his on-side game.

And what got into Malik's head today? From the very start he showed his aggressive intents and took needless risks when he even saw wickets fall at the other end in a clatter! Hopefully, the maturity will come with experience.

So well done India! It was quite an impressive comback and Team India will be looking to build on it. Pakistan though need to take a hard look at the way they played. It won't be easy to win the next ODI. Both the mental and physical strength of the Pakistani players will be challenged in the days to come. Hopefully, they will come thorugh with flourishing colours.

[Maranello]

You are right KA, a case of over-confidence and complacency in the Pak team. Though a few of our guys threw away their wickets (Akmal, Razzy, Afridi), for me the worst was Malik - he is supposed to have a great temperament, and yet he came out and batted as if he was slogging for dear life and had to last for only five deliveries instead of 42 overs! What was the matter? Inzi and Yoyo were unfortunate, but that is cricket; was not our day, and India did well in the field.

I was actually quite happy with our bowling; we had a great first ten overs and an excellent last ten overs, but were as always clueless against Sehwag. Why is he Pakistan's nemesis? Can they not figure out a strategy for him? Other teams fare much better. To be fair, the two chances he got did help his cause; the catch Hafeez dropped of the very first ball of the match was a tad unfortunate and decided the game really!

[workkey]

i think the heat got them

[Docter Death]

It was the catches that cost PAK.

India held the tough ones and PAK dropped the crucial ones

Well done INDIA. Hope they win the series

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Freddie=GOD

80,000 people wathcing the match today. Man, that's mind-boggling!

Made even more mind boggling by the fact that in the province of Kerala which lies South West of India, football and not cricket is the most popular spectator sport. Another interesting fact is that the literacy rate in Kerala (which in case you're confused is where the city of Kochi is) is an admirable 100%! Still though, that didn't promt the crowds to appreciate good cricket all round, and not just the home sides' - Remarkable. Anyway, as Shaka says, at least they are turning out to watch cricket, I guess that is the thing that matters most.

On to the match, it was a good humbling exercise in my opinion, should bring everyone's (both the team's as well as the fans') confidence back down to earth (at least it has had that affect on me! ) the holiday on cloud 9 should now be over. Although there was a display of complcency on our part (particularly from the top order), it's a more than fair comment to pass that India really played well, their catching was in the very sense of the word: breathtaking. And when Sachin's getting five wickets, what more indication do we need of the fact that it really was there day yesterday? Congrats to them. I hope we get our act together next time.

[Freddie=GOD]

Originally Posted by Maranello

Freddie, if you don't mind my asking, are you in India currently? What was the mood there after the Bangalore Test defeat?

Yeah, Ive been in India for over 3 weeks now. Im not here to watch cricket but for a buisness project. And the sad thing is, I've only been in New Delhi all this while.

Well, as for the mood, it was very hostile. The people didn't want to be assosciated with the cricketers. And yet the irony is that these same cricketers are the ones who fill the New Delhi billboards. Cricketers are all over in this place. From the front to the middle and the last pages of the newspapers, they are all over. And I never thought cricket was oversold till i came to this part. I bet it's the same in Pakistan too. Even during the TV coverage, which i didn't enjoy i must admit due to the lack of professionalism from DD Sports the broadcaster here, there were ads all over. They fit in as many as 4 commercials during overs and even when the match is on they have ads on the sides or at the bottom!

But its something different and is great for the game. I think you're in a way lucky Maranello, that in your part cricket doesn;t have to compete with other sports for popularity. But on the more negative side, i think there's lack of professionalism in cricket governance here. I mean, i though about seeing the Delhi- ODi that is to be held on 17 April, but i got to know that they haven't even started printing the tickets yet, let alone sell them! On top of that theyre not even sure whether the atch will actually be held or not!

Overall, this is a very different place and for cricket lovers it really has to be a must-visit although even i have not managed to see a match here despite being here for quite long