India vs Pakistan, 6th ODI at Delhi

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

First of all.


Even now when I look at these two teams on paper, and think about the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two sides…I sort of go wao! Did we actually manage to pull this off. 4-2 after being 0-2 down. Was this real?

Zainub, I wasn't at all surprised to see us win the ODI series, I predicted it well before the tour, although I didn't think we could possibly have drawn the test series which was a far greater achievement. We have a very good ODI team with some fantastic all rounders in Razzaq, Malik, Afridi and Naved. While they are effective in the one day game, their bowling is not really suited to the test arena, although of course they are capable of producing inspired spells like we saw in the third test.

A drawn test series followed by a comprehensive win in the ODI's is a fantastic achievement though. Woolmer and Inzi have every reason to feel very satisfied right now. I really enjoyed Inzy slapping down the doom-mongering former players who will predictably keep a low profile now that we have done so well. The honourable exception will be Asif Iqbal who's even handed analysis is always worth reading.

[Zainub]

I expected the one-day team to perform better then the test team too Shaka, but just the way we won it, from 2-0 down, drawling level after chasing 300 odd, and then on a couple of occasions just completely out classing India...I don't think I was expecting something of this magnitude. I'm over joyed nevertheless. It was such a thorough team effort. Everyone played their part. And I actually tend to beleive that was what was the difference between the two sides. In both the test and one-day series, India over relied on individual brilliance, and that's what cost them I think. Persisting with Ganguly for so long didn't help either. Neither did the fact that Yuvraj Singh never got started. And the bowling was basically all shambles. No consistency in it at all. In contrast we just stuck to our plan, doing little things right...did anyone notice our fielding in this series? Youhanna...and the direct hits? Inzi ...running quickly ...Shahid Afridi playing 3 important knocks in a row...now seriously, how many people expected that. These are all heartenning sings I think. And coming to think of it again, come 2007, nearly all these players will be around, the only question surrounding Inzi (who by the way has been asked to take a 3 week rest to nurse that ever present back injury of his)...we're seriously looking good.

Sorry about what happened at Cardiff Shaka, but you New Casrle were rubbish. We could have scored halif a dozen if everything went our way. But don't take me wrong, I do feel sorry for you guys. The atmosphere at Cardiff was brilliant, and having seen the match my self after earlier in the day seeing the Delhi match being stopped by crowd trouble (and before that all the rubbish happening in Italy)I was very pleased to see how the New Castle fans reacted.

[Shaka]

I didn't watch the game once Man U had scored Zainub. With so many key players out we never had a chance to begin with. What you saw was a shadow of the team which won 8 games in a row. No Dyer, Bowyer, Bramble, Kluivert or Jenas. We didn't have a hope in hell as the replacements were all teenage hopefuls.

Back to less depressing news (cricket), I agree that teamwork has been a massive factor. It seems absurd that Pakistanis of all people could point to other teams relying on individuals but there you go. India need to shake up things a bit, they are starting to look a bit stale. The ODI team needs a seam bowling all rounder, they rely too heavily on the spin option right now. Agarkar seems to be the only option but he doesn't do enough with the bat for me.

[Zainub]

You're right about both Newcastle and India. Agarkar doesn't to it often enough for anyone's liking. When I think that man has a test hundred to his name, it actually disapoints me. Aparently that was only a one off innings. Or may be England were just down right pour that day. In any case India do need an all roudner in the mode of Razzaq or Freddie. Surely some one must be out there in the domestic circles.