I ran early from office, and kept running, not wanting to miss India Pakistan final of the Kitply club. The built up did not match the hype of the events in cricket which had preceded to this (tri-nation?) tournament. Yes Bangladesh also participated by helping the team to get into finals. There were some news reports saying Pakistan is not a major worry but complacency is the bigger factor.
How can there be complacency against Pakistan ever?Alright the sting between matches is missing.The days are gone when we hardly faced each other on the cricket field.The days are gone and hysteria is almost as dead as waves in a low tide.Also gone are the visual controversies.The expression has gone from (You know India is playing Pakistan today) !!! to a (Is India playing Paksitan today?).The city of Mumabi would come to the grinding halt, pubs were packed and filled with cacophony of frenzy of cricketing fans. But the fact is it is the mother of all sporting rivalries.
It happened when ...
I don't remember what time I reached home.I just remember the score, it was 180 for one Younis Khan and Salman Butt approaching 100s. I was convinced then and there that Paksitan would be all over India. That would be the final score. I did not had a sceptic nerve in me saying India "may" win. Pakistani's capitalized with wickets in hand in the death overs. The only good thing to see was controlling wides and no-balls. I can just dream Indian bowlers bowling like the Paksitani do in the death, giving nothing away. But then cricket is always about hard ground realities. Misbah back from very ordinary IPL came back to haunt again as he will for all future India Pakistan clashes. He creamed them all over with Pakistan hammering India and piling 323.
I told you so ...
The Indian top order collapse. The agonizing if-he-would-have Sehwag gone early. It was the first hammer in the coffin. One of the last was when (Irfan) Pathan looking wayward hit only five in nine balls and then getting out cheaply, leaving Dhoni high and dry. Yuvraj who looks in total command in "50-50" batted well so did Gautam Gambhir, who is directing the pressure of expectations to scoring runs. Yusuf Pathan is still to fire. Dhoni may have got couple of calls wrong, but being blunt is so cool about him. He doesn't always plays to the galley and calls a fool a damn fool.
The Indian charge never came or came too late. Pakistan now hosts India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh in Asia cup although I am looking forward to champions trophy.
I felt a deserved Saturday evening was a dampener. So I think was the weekend.
Monday morning is blue as usual, although I started lated I just managed to reach office in time.
12 comments:
Well, for me it was Pakistan who played better that day.
Even I missed Pak's innings and looking at the batting order, I thought 300+ was a little difficult though not impossible target for India.
India did not do well... dropped some catches, could not restrict Pak for a lesser score, and middle order collapse. It was a team effort in losing the game. :P
I call Dhoni a cool headed aggressive captain. :D
Have you read my this post ?
back to cricket?
u know i used to hv the hots for Younis. LOL!
Keshi.
@ Cuckoo:Yes it was a losing effort by the team.But then its a learning curve for everyone, inlcuding the followers of hte team.
I read ur post, will have to read it again to reach any clonclusions.
@ Keshi: An India-Pak match is always worth the blog-post. :)
U had it for Waqar Younis of Younis Khan?
My quess if Waqar, the great Paki bowler
Waqar Younis. he's hot. :)
Keshi.
Hi tarun,
Interesting blog...India vs Pakistan is always sensational! I too had that sceptic nerve that India may win...but alas!
@ Keshi: He is married. ;)
@ Meghna: Hey Meghna!! ... Yes but they lost ....*imaginary drop of tears rolls down the cheeks*
But our batting at the death was awful.
I know. :) but not when I had a crush on him.
Keshi.
@ Keshi: *sigh* ok.
yeah why am I falling for all the taken dudes? LOL!
Keshi.
@ Keshi: U are one lady who is really fallen in love with love.
LOL
u think so? aww I dun think so - cos come n read my current post lol!
Keshi.
@ Keshi:Hmm... been there done that, posted "expert"* comments there.
*No conditions apply.
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