Match Report
It was a highly hyped game of sentiments (thanks to Smart Media & not so smart viewers) but NOT a great game of cricket.
It wasn’t even balanced and fought till end.
Started with Sehwag taking on, purposely, the most dangerous Gul to set the tempo and dominate the opponent; he did it well but did not last longer. Followed by pathetic fielding by Pakistan and sachin’s erroneous batting (which we seldom see), brilliance of Wahab Riaz, Accuracy of Saeed Ajmal (his doosra is lethal, at times just unplayable), crumbling of Indian middle order and Raina’s patient encounter to take India to a respectable total.
Bythe mid session, it was a balanced match slightly favoring to Pakistan; just a few batsmen needed to stand tall and snatch the much awaited semifinal from India…but…….but they (Pakistani batting) crumbled once again.
It was sad to see their approach after Kamran akmal’s departure, subdued as one of commentator said and against their natural aggression. they kept on losing wickets on regular intervals and hence the match lost all the sheen and interest. Indian bowling, if not brilliant, was very disciplined; first extra run in 37th over says it all. Delayed powerplay decision and saving himself for last (God knows why???) cost Shahid Afridi a lot. It was the day when he should have come up and should have done what he’s known for…boom boom bang, ideally cool Misbah holding the fort other side…but…………..
it’s all about ifs & buts; match is over and as predicted earlier, team which kept the nerves controlled won the match. It was a match of nerves not skills, Indian proved their skills the other day defeating No-1 Australia and defeating No-6 team needs lesser skills but loads of ‘cool’ head which Dhoni has in plenty.
Overall, Pakistan played really well in this tournament, reaching semifinal is no less an achievement.
Indian team is no doubt a better team on paper & ground too, currently.
A perfect clash is awaited in Mumbai on 2nd April; two sharp cricket minds (Dhoni & Sanga) , two legends of game ( Sachin & Murli) and two highly effective bowlers of the day,damn they both play for MI (Zaheer & Malinga) will try to outclass each other; a Perfect Setting!!!!!!!!!!!!
FA, right Wahab is a good prospect but seems he can become another Mitchel Johnson not another great leftie like Wasim as he's not so quick. even I find Umar Akmal a very good (skill with temperament) future prospect if taken well careoff.
As far your question, right, but IF only Kasab & Co would not have dared to Mumbai adventure in Nov-2008 :)
Nice Report...
Pakistan Got chances to come back in the game, if Hafeez did not got out from a silly shot, which was not needed at that time, and regarding Misbah, he was thinking of a finish similar too the one against india in T20 finals, that too Pakistan lost by 5 or 6 runs....
But a new Genuine Pakistan Left Arm Bowler is Born, Wahab Riaz.... :))
Afridi should be proud to lead a team, who was not even rated favorites in the World Cup, but my only question remains, If Indian Cricket Board Supported Pakistan, Like Bangladesh, Srilanka, Windies, This Semi Final Should have been played in Lahore instead of mohali...
Best of Luck to India and Srilanka...
am happy for Indians and lankans ,,, wish both of them best of luck.
Come on dont be a sour looser. there is always a next time.
bookies!!!...obviosuly they'll bet on this......but I dont think it was a fixed game...but again i'm not expert on this and assume everything is alright there...
guilt, right ! pitch was different than expected (even dhoni accepted his 'failure' in reading it right and going with 3 seamers)..but batsmen are suppose to bat as per conditions and if they can't...they must be replaced...Misbah did it...Raina did it...
I would disagree slightly..
It was a great match, but Pakistan made a few mistakes. They fielded badly and their batsmen - knowing the target they were chasing should have shown better judgement.
Anyway, at the end of the day, India deserved their win and the biggest winner was Cricket, because both sets of players and fans focused on the sport and not the incidentals.
spot on khanan.....while afridi was really good in all talks (soothing..i must say)...but felt awkward for his sorry statement...but what to do he may be fearing backlash, fans(both side) are so sentimental...i remember 2007 when many cricketers' houses were attacked....:)-
Panther, You should not blame any of the batsmen of India or Pakistan for the slow approach. A friend of mine told me that he was there and he has been there earlier also. The pitch yesterday was so slow and low (because of the rain) where the batsmen were not getting the ball on their bats. You would have noticed and whoever tried to hit hard on lost their wickets amazingly. It was the same pitch where our team made a huge 351.
and well written as usual!
and indeed it was great achievement from Afridi and his boys. I disagree when he apologise to the nation in his speech. To me, they had done remarkably well and had given us hope and something to cheer.
It will indeed be a great game of cricket on Saturday. Two heavyweights on the paper and the field and there will be contest between the players. India should to come up with some planning against Mendis.
u forgot to add one line about bookies ;-)
Very well narrated , TFS
Good job mate...u said it all :)
first congratulations to INDIA......and i am totally agree with painther report and @lucky, what you say about mr.Ghambir????plz stop this blaming game...india play better than Pakistan and that's all....
Indian Bookies won the Match for India. Pakistan Players are so rich now. ;))))))))))))))
A perfect clash is awaited in Mumbai on 2nd April; two sharp cricket minds (Dhoni & Sanga) , two legends of game ( Sachin & Murli) and two highly effective bowlers of the day,damn they both play for MI (Zaheer & Malinga) will try to outclass each other; a Perfect Setting!!!!!!!!!!!!