Mama Mia!

What a finale! Pakistan has just perhaps won one of the bigger series in their cricketing history. This probably ranks up there with the series win in India in 1987, when they won the test at Bangalore.

No one could give England the upper hand at 121 for 2 at the start of the fifth day, specially when they needed another 228 just to avoid the follow-on. Yet, no one thought that Pakistan truly had a realistic chance of winning the test match, specially on a wicket which was unresponsive at best. Perhaps the only edge Pakistan had was their level of confidence.

Shoaib Akhtar, who I have criticized many times before, along with Danish Kaneria really did turn in a virtuouso performance. Some would say that Kaneria set the whole thing up with his big wickets early after lunch, but without Shoaib, its doubtful all 8 wickets could have fallen in 10 overs. A great performance by Pakistan, along with some solid, atleast not pathetic, work in the field.

Inzamam deservedly received the Man of the Series, and Yousuf was rightfully awarded the Man of the Match. More than anyone else, his stunning performance with a great partnership from Kamran Akmal is what set Pakistan up for the win.

Go, go Pakistan!