A magnificent crowd at the National Stadium witnessed a thrill-packed one-dayer between the two South Asian cricketing giants, India and Pakistan, on Saturday and in the end when the latter failed to overtake the tall and difficult target of 349 by just five runs everybody in the stands was satisfied that par excellence batting had come from both sides.
Nine runs were required when the last over was to be bowled. Perhaps Pakistan was on the threshold of triumph, thought the spectators. A slight more calculated and aggressive approach may have taken them to the shores of victory. However, Sourav Ganguly, the visiting captain, altered the tactics and dispersed the fielders to the boundary-line and any hit to the fence was saved and cut into twos and singles. Six runs were needed when the last delivery was to be sent down by New Delhi's Ashish Nehra. A Miandad-like six of long ago was needed to uplift the hearts of the onlookers.
Moin Khan, the receiver, with heavy responsibility on his shoulders, tried might and main but the ball circled for a few moments over the head of Zaheer Khan in the middle of the ground, who almost fell down but to the ill-luck of Pakistan balanced himself to make the catch, breaking the heart of their rivals and many hearts in the pavilion.
Thus ended an absorbing and exciting tie that could have gone either way despite the huge total made by the Indians.
Many parts of the stands were not full when the Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq won the toss but elected to field, maybe due to heavy checks and restrictions by law-enforcing personnel.
However, the duel progressed and when it was let known to all that Sachin Tendulkar has been sent back to the dressing room by none other than Shoaib Akhtar the pavilions started filling up and a capacity crowd had settled down to watch the confrontation between the cricketing arch-foes.
India's 349 for 7 was their highest against Pakistan exceeding their previous best of 316. It also turned out to be the biggest score in the National Stadium. Pakistan though finished five runs in arrears also surpassed their record of 327 made at Chennai against India in the season of 1996-97.
On a purely docile strip with no signs of grass on it the Indian openers started in their true strong style.
The Pakistani supporters were distressed to see Younis Khan spill an easy chance of the Indian master blaster. But Tendulkar was not to stay long for he was trapped by his challenger, Shoaib, for 28. Sehwag (79), Ganguly (45) and Dravid all exhibited shots with a mingling of audacity and adventure. Dravid was unlucky to be beaten neck and crop by the pure pace of Shoaib when he was 99.
At a stage with India were 220 for 4 one thought that they were in trouble but Dravid, confident as were, and Kaif steadied the innings with a 118-run fifth wicket partnership to help their side put up what was a mammoth one-day total.
Again the extras, 38 (29 no-balls and wides, by the key Pakistani new-ball bowlers, Shoaib and Sami, made a difference between the efforts of the two squads. Delete 38 runs from India's high total and determine the winner.
Many also feel that a change of guards is needed in the slot of Pakistani opening batsmen for the pounding Imran Nazir and Taufiq Umar meted out to the Indian bowlers in the warm-up fixture cannot be forgotten. And what were the contributions of Yasir Hameed and Imran Farhat. A firm opening stand lays the foundation of a splendid and large total.
For Pakistan, the departure of Inzamam, who from the start of his knock, was a master and brilliant stroke-maker, was a setback as the attainment of victory became a tough going. His century with versatile drives, which almost hammered the Indian bowlers off their length, was admirable and deservingly earned him the Man of the Match award. He scintillated on the National Stadium ground even though he happened to be on the losing side. In two century stands with Yousuf Youhana and Younis Khan he was a class unto himself.
Then Razzaq, while he had opened out in his usual vein, missed the line of a Zaheer delivery and returned pavilionward when he was warming up.
Youhana had earlier batted responsible for a well-hit 73.
For India Dravid again showed that he was in full form and may prove a dangerous customer in the next four engagements.
Pakistan's fielding was comparatively inferior to the Indians and the placement made on the field by Ganguly in the later stages was laudable.
Pakistan may have lost the match by the barest of margin but took up the Indian challenge boldly and gave full delight to the onlookers. No doubt cricket at its best was seen and the match was played in the best sporting spirit.
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