India v Pakistan | 1st Test | Delhi | 22/11/07 | Day 1

[Momo]

210 for 8 at close

Brilliant/tremendous/heart warming stuff from these two. especially proud of Misbah. He has taken some flack in recent times. Great to see him come good and play a real fighting knock.

Finally seen some fight, grit and determination in the Pakistan team. Lets hope this partnership can inspire the rest of the team tomorrow. As khan saab said if we get to 250, it might just be a semi decent total. If we can keep India's 1st innings lead down to less than 100, preferably down to 50-70 tops...then I think we will be in with a real shout at this game.

Lets hope we score atleast 300 (my farmaish is 400 but I will take anything over 300).
That said, the morning session will be tough. And there is a long cricketing history of wickets invariably falling in a new session/day.
Lets hope for the best though. More power to Sami -ul Haq partneship!

 

[Disco_Lemonade]

Misbah deserves an Award... Patience and Intelligence award that is.

 

[Caved12]

but what does that tell you about the batting conditions? Will we get much help from the pitch tomorrow at all to take the 16 Indian wickets (i am expecting atleast 2 "saves" from Doctrove and 4 catch drops)?

All I know is that we can get india out under 300, Shoaib akhtar can be devastating on any day at any pitch.

 

[jackal786]

This is the sort of the match you just do all your personal jobs and watch the score at the end of the day ! Definitely not going to entertain you. Good lord.. i did that ! Just last 5 overs after brief morning session.

 

[Hash]

Hope Sami and Danny can hang around for long enough for Misbah to get a 100. This knock really deserves to be a century.

 

[Salman]

Misbah deserves an Award... Patience and Intelligence award that is.

I hope others take some inspiration from him, he's out best batting find since Moyo.... yes' it been that long!

 

[Amjid Javed]

First 30-60 mins tomorrow will be pivitol. India will have fresh bowlers with a realtively new ball.. so pakistan have to try and battle till lunch tomorrow!

 

[Momo]

Hope Sami and Danny can hang around for long enough for Misbah to get a 100. This knock really deserves to be a century.

Inshallah.
Yes, it was a special knock.
Misbah where were you when I was young?

 

[jackal786]

I sincerely miss Afridi now ! He should have played instead of Misbhah

 

[Caved12]

See ya tomorrow guys

 

[Hash]

I sincerely miss Afridi now ! He should have played instead of Misbhah

)

 

[snooze]

I sincerely miss Afridi now ! He should have played instead of Misbhah

i appreciate the point you are making, but i doubt he would have played instead of baby Inzi.

 

[Momo]

I sincerely miss Afridi now ! He should have played instead of Misbhah

Are you crazy man?
You can say he should have played instead of Hameed etc. (I think so too).
But how can you do this tauheen-e-adaalat kind of thing by saying he should have played in place of Misbah? Misbah, who saved us from complete ignominy. Misbah who showed a light at the end of the tunnel. Misbah, who frustrated Indians and that may turn out to be a deciding factor in the game.

And even if it doesnt, you cant take anything away from his innings today. He was majestic.

You should say sorry to Misbah for your comment.

 

[jackal786]

second day is going to be the best for batting according to local experts

 

[Easa]

I haven't seen one delivery all day but looks like a great figthback. If we can get to about 270 and then go hard at the Indians with the ball, we're in with a good chance in this match. This game is nowhere near over.. if we were bowled out for 170 I would be scared but if we get a few more runs, we're right in this game.

Continue the great work tomorrow boys!

 

[Usman Chadda]

Are you crazy man?
You can say he should have played instead of Hameed etc. (I think so too).
But how can you do this tauheen-e-adaalat kind of thing by saying he should have played in place of Misbah? Misbah, who saved us from complete ignominy. Misbah who showed a light at the end of the tunnel. Misbah, who frustrated Indians and that may turn out to be a deciding factor in the game.

And even if it doesnt, you cant take anything away from his innings today. He was majestic.

You should say sorry to Misbah for your comment.

He is an Indian fan mate

 

[Momo]

second day is going to be the best for batting according to local experts

Good for us. Because its we who are batting. thanks to Sami and Misbah!

 

[Momo]

He is an Indian fan mate

Oh. That explains it then.

Thankyou Usman S.

 

[darkmoon459]

I sincerely miss Afridi now ! He should have played instead of Misbhah

Oh fudge off ,you and your afridi can take a lesson from Misbah in how to handle a tight situation and bat sensibly.

 

[jackal786]

Sami is gradually realizing batting average should be higher and bowling average should be lower. Trying to bridge the gap !

 

[Lara400]

Misbah & Sami hold Day 2 hopes

Super cricket from these two.

Hope for more tomorrow

 

[Oxy]

Just seen Tanvir's dismissal - why did he start walking - because it was not out

 

[jackal786]

It is very much similar to Malinga/Murali partnership against Lee .. they werer looking worried!

 

[Oxy]

Oh fudge off ,you and your afridi can take a lesson from Misbah in how to handle a tight situation and bat sensibly.

He's an Indian fan - so you can see what he's getting at....

 

[jackal786]

Despite slowness seems that it was an absorbing game.

 

[jackal786]

something tells me it is going to be a thriller of a test match.

 

[thurkeebaba]

Amazing Display by these two, I say we are very much back in this game.

This is at least a 350/400 runs pitch

 

[the Great Khan]

I sincerely miss Afridi now ! He should have played instead of Misbhah

bro we wouldnt have got 180 if that had happened!!..be thankful bhanja wasnt playing!!...hopefully misbah can cement his place at this position..then we only need some stable opener(s)..Oh Allah swt please give us some good openers!!!....

 

[Momo]

This is at least a 350/400 runs pitch

I agree. It is a 400 runs pitch.
And guess what? We are going to make 400.
Inshaallah.

 

[swaziboy]

I think pakistan has just about gotten out of jail today..with that partnership

i think a 250 odd score with shoaib and co. getting a few wickets quickly tomorrow might just tilt the scales a bit...but looks like its going to be an intriguing day's play tomorrow

 

[swaziboy]

I think pakistan have just about gotten out of jail today..with that partnership

i think a 250 odd score with shoaib and co. getting a few wickets quickly tomorrow might just tilt the scales a bit...but looks like its going to be an intriguing day's play tomorrow

 

[Amjid Javed]

This pitch isnt going to get any better, its going to get slower, lower and crumble more. I think chasing 200+ last would be a tough ask. Pakistan bowlers need to show good discapline when we come to bowl and Indias batsmen will have to graft. Hopefully Pakistan can get the 1st inns total up and beyond 250

 

[jackal786]

Recently South Africa A and India A played here.


http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/128/128482.html

 

[invincible]

It is very much similar to Malinga/Murali partnership against Lee .. they werer looking worried!

Actually its similar to the Indian 10th wicket partnership between VRV Singh and Ganguly (or maybe Laxman i am not sure) against South Africa ... It gave us a huge morale boost coming out to bowl and eventually played its part in winning that test match ...

Day 1 ... I feel its 2-1 to india ... the first two sessions were completely dominated by us and then the third session we gave the advantage away ...

 

[jackal786]

wickets mainly went to spinners for India.

 

[jackal786]

Actually its similar to the Indian 10th wicket partnership between VRV Singh and Ganguly (or maybe Laxman i am not sure) against South Africa ... It gave us a huge morale boost coming out to bowl and eventually played its part in winning that test match ...

Day 1 ... I feel its 2-1 to india ... the first two sessions were completely dominated by us and then the third session we gave the advantage away ...

That's the beauty of Test cricket.. It is a test of character. survival instincts. technique. self-restraint, courage.

 

[jackal786]

Pakistan has come back very well. But they should have been like 320 for 4 on a good pitch like this.

 

[invincible]

That's the beauty of Test cricket.. It is a test of character. survival instincts. technique. self-restraint, courage.

But sometimes (like today) its a test of all those you've mentioned to the audience !

J/k > Test cricket surely is amazing to watch ...

 

[MMA]

i thought it would've been 150 all out but great fightback. If misbah gets a 100 would this be better then the 39 for 6 fightback?

 

[Usman Chadda]

The good thing for us is that we have two 90+ mph bowlers in the team. They can take the pitch completely out of the equation. Pakistan's chances greatly depends on how much support Kaneria gets from Shoaib and Sami. If the batsmen are put under relentless pressure from both ends, I cant see India long on this pitch either

 

[jackal786]

yup.. Pakistan scoring rate was on the slower side understandably. I think they paid too much respect to Ganguly. He bowled line and length dibbly dobbly stuffs consistently. But they didn't try to force the issue with him. Ganguly provided a relief to other bowlers by sharing some overs which is crucial.

 

[Rana]

so is this a bowling track?

can we expect the pakistani bowlers to give us a comeback?

 

[jackal786]

The good thing for us is that we have two 90+ mph bowlers in the team. They can take the pitch completely out of the equation. Pakistan's chances greatly depends on how much support Kaneria gets from Shoaib and Sami. If the batsmen are put under relentless pressure from both ends, I cant see India long on this pitch either

Usman. 90 mph will be lot easier to score against on surfaces like this like we found when India toured last time. It is not about the speed. It is about getting purchase out of early movement. If you don't strike at that time then you will be in for a long haul.. Resistance will come right through.

 

[Rana]

Misbah is continueing to prove that he is the best batsmen under pressure in the world!

 

[jackal786]

so is this a bowling track?

can we expect the pakistani bowlers to give us a comeback?

Superb batting track. Spinners hold the key. Kaneria has to bowl really well. Going to be a back-breaking experience for Pakistan bowlers. But Pressure will be ultimate decider.

 

[Rana]

Superb batting track. Spinners hold the key. Kaneria has to bowl really well. Going to be a back-breaking experience for Pakistan bowlers. But Pressure will be ultimate decider.

why did we flop this bad??

 

[jackal786]

why did we flop this bad??

As i said earlier if you are giving this much respect to Ganguly problem is not with pitch, problem is with mind. . Seriously there was no lateral movement. Kumble's wickets are creation of his own. He just thrives on these pitches. Special type of bowler.

 

[Momo]

We need atleast 250 to defend in the final innings. India will most probably score 400 in the first. If we score 250 in the first, that will mean we need to score 400 in the second, which will be a stiff task. Thus we need to score 350 in the first. Lets hope Misbah gets a hundred and Sami a 50.
Once we score 350, we are in with a great chance of winning!

 

[Usman Chadda]

Usman. 90 mph will be lot easier to score against on surfaces like this like we found when India toured last time. It is not about the speed. It is about getting purchase out of early movement. If you don't strike at that time then you will be in for a long haul.. Resistance will come right through.

I disagree. Medium pacers become ineffective when the ball gets older. I wasn't just talking about the new ball. We saw how easier it was to negotiate both Munaf and Zaheer with the old ball because they werent quick enough to get through the batsmen's defences.

Pace is necessary on dead tracks, because in addition to the movement, the batsman has to watch out for the extra pace he is dealing with. Against a medium pacer you can relax when the ball isnt moving, but with a fast bowler you will always be on your toes. Its a double-edged sword, either Shoaib and Sami will get plundered for plenty of runs. Or if they bowl well, they can rip through the Indians

 

[jackal786]

I disagree. Medium pacers become ineffective when the ball gets older. I wasn't just talking about the new ball. We saw how easier it was to negotiate both Munaf and Zaheer with the old ball because they werent quick enough to get through the batsmen's defences.

Pace is necessary on dead tracks, because in addition to the movement, the batsman has to watch out for the extra pace he is dealing with. Against a medium pacer you can relax when the ball isnt moving, but with a fast bowler you will always be on your toes. Its a double-edged sword, either Shoaib and Sami will get plundered for plenty of runs. Or if they bowl well, they can rip through the Indians

Can we go back to the match where Sehwag/Dravid made 405 runs in 75 overs? That was also a dead track . Dude bowlers are human beings. Not machines. Genuine quick bowling is a thankless job. One of the reason genuine quick bowlers have good strike rate is because they cannot bowl forever. They must strike with in short spells. Brett Lee was clocking 150 consistently against Malinga.. what could he do? It is not about just pace.

 

[MaVeRiCk]

In reality we're gonnna get bowled out tomorrow within the hour, As the pitch will be alot flatter and drier tomorrow the indians will play out the new ball and then look to bat,bat and bat, get ready for a few days on the field.

 

[jackal786]

I agree you need genuine quicks to knock off tailenders. But even they can be made to struggle with half decent technique.

 

[Gonzo]

so is this a bowling track?

can we expect the pakistani bowlers to give us a comeback?

It was cloudy and damp in the morning, which meant it was swinging and good conditions for the bowlers. That's why India were able to rip through the top order, but once the pitch got easier to bat on Misbah and Sami put on that big stand. If it gets any easier to bat on tomorrow (which it should), India will be looking at posting 400+.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Can we go back to the match where Sehwag/Dravid made 405 runs in 75 overs? That was also a dead track . Dude bowlers are human beings. Not machines. Genuine quick bowling is a thankless job. One of the reason genuine quick bowlers have good strike rate is because they cannot bowl forever. They must strike with in short spells. Brett Lee was clocking 150 consistently against Malinga.. what could he do? It is not about just pace.

Thats why I said its a double-edged sword. On dead tracks, genuine quick bowlers are much better than medium-pace trundlers. With trundlers you know that the batting side is going to amass 500+ if you dont take early wickets, with pace bowlers you still believe that one good bowling spell will totally destroy the batting side

 

[jackal786]

Thats why I said its a double-edged sword. On dead tracks, genuine quick bowlers are much better than medium-pace trundlers. With trundlers you know that the batting side is going to amass 500+ if you dont take early wickets, with pace bowlers you still believe that one good bowling spell will totally destroy the batting side

I know.. there is one team that is specialises in getting bowled out for paltry total on a flat pan cake surface. New zealand. I agree.. genuine quicks if they get it right and get into rythm they can be really menacing. Although I don't foresee that happening considering the experience of Indian line up and their batting experience against the likes of Sohaib. But this pitch is suitable more for spinners than pacers. Do Pakistan have Kumble? That's the big question. If you play out Sohaib AKhtar's first spell what next? that is where lot of questions arise. Who will sustain the pressure. Laxman, Dravid, Tendulkar all 3 are big scorers. If they are allowed to kick in they will make huge scores.

 

[Gonzo]

While it is true that medium pace isn't generally going to be effective on dead tracks when it's not swinging, blinding pace with no control (i.e. Sami) is going to be just as effective. Give me swing merchants like Hoggard, Vaas etc. over 90mph scatterguns like Sami any day of the week.

 

[jackal786]

I may not watch the complete Test. on and off i will have a peek. coz thanksgiving holiday.. So hope fans get a great Test match. Evenly poise with India may be 1 inch ahead of the game

 

[jackal786]

While it is true that medium pace isn't generally going to be effective on dead tracks when it's not swinging, blinding pace with no control (i.e. Sami) is going to be just as effective. Give me swing merchants like Hoggard, Vaas etc. over 90mph scatterguns like Sami any day of the week.

Zaheer's wicket were beautiful. Despite those wickets this pitch is more suitable for spinners than either medium trundlers or express pace bowlers.

 

[flawed_genius]

This should be the plan.

Frustrate india more by sticking around for an hour or so even if we get aroun 40-50 runs and go all guns blazing.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

I should have liked to see a sub 200 total, because we will be batting last - and on this pitch...

All the same very happy to see that Misbah did well. He's soon becoming one of my favourite cricketers.

 

[dinakar]

This should be the plan.

Frustrate india more by sticking around for an hour or so even if we get aroun 40-50 runs and go all guns blazing.

from the Indian point of view I would too want Pakistan to bat for an hour, but dry up the runs to 30. in the morning fogy moisture condition Shoaib and Sami could be dangerous for the Indian batsmen.