Kudos to our country, except for that bottle throwing incident in Delhi, we received the Pakistan cricket team gracefully, treated them really well and sent them home very happy. 6 real exciting matches with the Ahmedabad match and that last over by Sachin being the real highlight of the series. I myself thoroughly enjoyed it. A little disappointed with claims that it will end 3-3 and the matches were not decided by the players but by punters and diplomats. I don’t think people realize that makes everyone watching a big fool! There is no proof that they are wrong, but 4-2 suggests that it was not the call of the diplomat’s at least.
If I were to look back, Afridi's knock in the last 2 matches, Sehwag's in the first 2 matches, Rana's bowling, Dravid's stability, Pathan's 64, Zaheer's romance on camera are things that I will remember from the last the seven weeks. Rana got the Man of the Series award, while I agree that he did extremely well, probably even exceeded his expectations, the real hero was Inzi. I always thought the most dangerous one-day performer was Micheal Bevan of Australia, he may not have many individual records but from what I remember he has had many match winning performances, similarly I think Inzi plays for the team, plays in a difficult position, brings stability to the line-up. He has to be commended for his work rate - he has really improved his running between the wickets. He never cares for personal glory, 80 half centuries - enough proof for me.
Two major causalities from this series will be Akthar and Ganguly. Akthar - hope that what he saw of his teammates brings him down to earth and puts some humility into him. I am sure he would have thought that his team would suffer without him leading the line - Now, Rana has shown him discipline and hard work are more important to a bowler than pure pace and silly antics! Technically he would for sure improve this team but his character will only destroy the camaraderie amongst the players unless he changes himself. Ganguly, I am really sorry for him. The Indian cricket supporters need a scapegoat and even I cant come up with anyone better. His ban is probably the best gift he needs right now. He sure needs a break, hopefully he will come back the classy left hander we all love to watch. I hope Dravid's two matches have shown that Ganguly is still needed and the captain scoring runs does not necessarily translate into the team winning the match.
I hope this is another big step forward in improving relations with our neighbours. Pakistan has to lot to gain from co-operating with us, it is gifted in its geographical location, right amongst China and India, and hopefully they can work with amicably with both and help both the Superpowers to succeed. It’s hard to ignore the importance of Kashmir and Shimla to India's tourism income and the earlier we settle things with Pakistan, the better for both nations and if cricket is an avenue then, we should congratulate both Cricket Associations on a job well done.
If I were to look back, Afridi's knock in the last 2 matches, Sehwag's in the first 2 matches, Rana's bowling, Dravid's stability, Pathan's 64, Zaheer's romance on camera are things that I will remember from the last the seven weeks. Rana got the Man of the Series award, while I agree that he did extremely well, probably even exceeded his expectations, the real hero was Inzi. I always thought the most dangerous one-day performer was Micheal Bevan of Australia, he may not have many individual records but from what I remember he has had many match winning performances, similarly I think Inzi plays for the team, plays in a difficult position, brings stability to the line-up. He has to be commended for his work rate - he has really improved his running between the wickets. He never cares for personal glory, 80 half centuries - enough proof for me.
Two major causalities from this series will be Akthar and Ganguly. Akthar - hope that what he saw of his teammates brings him down to earth and puts some humility into him. I am sure he would have thought that his team would suffer without him leading the line - Now, Rana has shown him discipline and hard work are more important to a bowler than pure pace and silly antics! Technically he would for sure improve this team but his character will only destroy the camaraderie amongst the players unless he changes himself. Ganguly, I am really sorry for him. The Indian cricket supporters need a scapegoat and even I cant come up with anyone better. His ban is probably the best gift he needs right now. He sure needs a break, hopefully he will come back the classy left hander we all love to watch. I hope Dravid's two matches have shown that Ganguly is still needed and the captain scoring runs does not necessarily translate into the team winning the match.
I hope this is another big step forward in improving relations with our neighbours. Pakistan has to lot to gain from co-operating with us, it is gifted in its geographical location, right amongst China and India, and hopefully they can work with amicably with both and help both the Superpowers to succeed. It’s hard to ignore the importance of Kashmir and Shimla to India's tourism income and the earlier we settle things with Pakistan, the better for both nations and if cricket is an avenue then, we should congratulate both Cricket Associations on a job well done.
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Inzamam's success, Ganguly's failure
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan believes Inzamam-ul-Haq succeeded where Sourav Ganguly failed.
Pakistan emerged from their recent tour of India with a draw in the Test series and a 4-2 victory in the one-day series.
Observers were at first skeptical of Pakistan's success in India, given their struggle in Australia in the preceding tour and their loss to India at home. However, Pakistan played brilliantly under pressure to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the Test series and a 2-0 deficit in the one-day series.
Speaking to AFP, Khan was full of praise for Inzamam's leadership.
"For me the high point of the series was Inzamam's captaincy from the front and Sourav Ganguly's failure to do the same for India," he said.
"I had said that he did not lead from the front in Australia.
"But in India he looked more involved and captaincy seemed to have matured and improved him as a batsman as well."
Inzamam struck 86 and 57 in the first Test in Bangalore, which Pakistan managed to draw. He made no innings of substance in the second Test, which India won. In the third Test he smashed 184 in the first innings, which was instrumental in Pakistan winning the match by 168 runs.
The captain was slightly less prolific in the one-day series, but did manage two half-centuries in the latter half of the series when Pakistan powered their way to victory.
"Inzamam doesn't realise his ability as a batsman," Khan continued.
"I have been saying that he is the best batsman in the world for the past ten years.
"Inzamam is probably the greatest match winner of Pakistan cricket as a batsman, much more than any of his contemporary batsmen."
Inzamam is currently ranked the eighth best batsman in Test cricket.
Khan did not limit his praise to the skipper however. He also considered Younis Khan (who he believes will succeed Inzamam as captain) as being essential to the result.
"The other difference was Younis coming at number three. He changed the Bangalore Test with his double hundred and gave a solution to Pakistan's number three problems," he said.
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