Pakistan completed a truly rewarding sojourn in India by wrapping up the one day series by 4-2 at the refurbished Feroz Shah Kotla ground as India almost threw the towel in the sixth and last limited-overs duel in a steamy and hot weather that tested the nerves and physical strength of the batsmen and fielders. The victory of the visiting side in the New Delhi match by the whopping margin of 159 runs could not have come at a more appropriate occasion when President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan was gracing the venue alongwith Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the coalition's guide Sonia Gandhi.
It is incomprehensible how the Indian conglomerate, known for its solid and spirited batsmanship, crumbled so incompetently and came in a poor light against an attack with some of its best and dangerous performers sitting at home and even a venomous speedster, Mohammad Sami, was watching Sunday's duel from the pavilion, having been rested because of toe injury.
Sehwag had started in his adventurous style but when he was beaten neck and crop by the usually accurate Naveedul Hasan at 31 with his score 21 the Indians shook in their shoes. Even the reliable Sachin Tendulkar did not find his moorings on this significant day for the home squad when they were supposed to edge out Pakistan to square the series. Tendulkar could not read the trajectory and acceleration of Rao Iftikhar's delivery and was back to the dressing room with a minor contribution of 9 at 36. This was a deadly blow for the Indians were pushed to the wall and could not recover.
When Dravid was run out at 64 by a smart throw by Youhana from mid-on this was perhaps the last straw for Yuvraj, run out by Youhana, Kaif and Dhoni panicked at the crease and it was evident to all that the strong collection of players that had put up a bold and courageous fight against the redoubtable Australians had a sad day and bad patch.
Maybe that the Indians had started the day in a complacent frame of mind but Pakistan played as a unit and team. Every member of the side contributed his lot.
Like the Kanpur match Shahid Afridi flayed the Indian attack with a score of 44. He blasted the long-hops of Ashish Nehra for 23 with a towering six. The 50 of the squad came in 5.3 overs. This was a good enough start from which to build up a tall total.
Pakistan had the first success in winning the toss. The wicket was slow but the score multiplied with Shoaib Malik, Youhana and Inzamam in full sail.
It was surprising to see Inzamam being given out caught behind off a wide bowled by Agarkar by Indian umpire Jayaprakash. However, when he left with a well-judged knock of 68 the total was approaching 300 - it was 297 for 7 to be exact.
The target set for India was 304. The searing heat and high total to chase were tough task for the home batsmen and they literally succumbed to the pressure of the day, the pressure of their own crowds, who for a while created chaotic scene by throwing missiles on the Pakistani fielders. Play was suspended for about 20 minutes.
After the resumption the end came soon to the satisfaction of the Pakistani formation, their fans who had gone from this country and some dignitaries, who were still present in the stands.
For India it was a humiliation and their prestige regionally and globally had taken a downswing. For Pakistan it was a happy revenge from the debacle suffered during India's previous tour of this country. They have shot up in ODI ratings.
Skipper Inzamam has called the victory the result of self-belief in the boys. The previous 3-2 defeat on the Pakistan soil should be forgotten. The success was like injecting of red blood corpuscles in the body of the outfit. They may be better off in the Caribbean skirmishes. With fit Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir and Sami they may be stronger, more resilient to face Lara and company.
For India the next challenge will be Sri Lanka. The reasons for their loss were that they failed to find a winning formula against Pakistan, their main weapons - Tendulkar and Sehwag - did not touch full form and they were cocksure against a side they thought was inexperienced and less pugnacious. On their own venues they fell to earth.
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