PAK BOUNCES BACK

Yes, Pakistan prevailed over India on Saturday. But by no means was it a tame surrender by the Indians. The Indians kept Pakistan in the hot seat for a long time before the final delivery was bowled. The margin of the defeat might suggest otherwise, but had India managed to complete its quota of 50 overs, the result might have been different.

Chasing a mammoth 315, the Indian tail showed why it has fast become a reliable one. The Indian innings was characterized by many small but dominant partnerships. Viru’s early departure was a big blow to the Indian dreams. Tottering at the edge of the seat, the Indians had lost more than half the side, half way through the target..

That’s when Irfan decided to give his captain some company. The partnership was of immense value, as they never once pressed the panic button, even when the asking rate kept climbing. Dhoni was out there with a plan and the plan almost worked. Earlier Gambhir, Rohit, Yuvraj, Yusuf, Raina all had good solid starts but failed to capitalize on them, an art which they would learn with time. Yuvi couldn’t capitalize on a dropped catch from Afridi.

The Pakistan innings began with a flurry of defense, with Pakistan switching to test match mode. India was short of a bowler, which went a long way in mutilating them. With Chawla and Irfan leaking runs, they had no one else to turn to except the part timers. Eventually Pak posted a mammoth, with smart centuries from Butt and Younis, smart because of the way they paced their innings.

For once, the Pakistanis outthought the Indian think tank.