Faisal Iqbal's father passes away.

My condolences to the family.

Update: Another report from The News, with more information about the deceased.
Inna Lilahi Wa Ina Alaiyhi Rajiyoon.

Upper Hand

Pakistan are entering day 4 of the fourth test with a decided advantage against England.

Pakistan played well and aggressively to advance to 504, giving themselves a 331 run lead. Inzamam would be unhappy to fall cheaply for 31 after showing almost sumptuous form, while Faisal Iqbal impressed with his very strong showing, through an aggressive 50.

Now, Asif and Gul will have to acquit themselves when the pressure is really on, and dismiss the English team by the end of the fourth day for Pakistan to have a chance of success.

Faisal Iqbal and Asif given central contracts

The PCB is doing something right! It has rewarded good performances from Asif and Faisal Iqbal with central retainers. While this is a positive move, I wonder why some of the players still remain on a central contract list. It has been some time since Asim Kamal or Bazid Khan or Iftikhar Anjum or even Yasir Hameed for that matter, were considered for international selection. Not to say whether they are worthy players or not, but perhaps they should be released from central contracts?

Pakistan, Pakistan, Jeevay Pakistan

What a finish to what a test! Pakistan completed day 4 of the third test in Karachi, with a 341 run victory over India. Yes, you did read that right, 341.

Pakistan, over the course of the day, displayed an energy, a fire, a drive which was almost palpable. This energy drove the Indians to take strange risks, to do things none would expect. And this energy turned Mohammad Asif and Abdul Razzaq into strike bowlers who, along with Shoaib Akhtar, made a pitch which looked placid with Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan and RP Singh, look like one where almost every delivery was a Jaffa!

Abdul Razzaq and Faisal Iqbal began the day where they had left off, and the party continued. In an hour, they put on 88 runs and bashed the Indian bowlers to every part of the park. They were both dismissed for 90 and 139 respectively, both important innings in the context of the game. Pakistan declared at 599 for 7, with all the psychological advantages of a 606 run lead.

One would have thought the Indians would have settled down and made up their minds to bat out 160 overs, which may or may not have even given them a chance of victory. Given Pakistan's over-rate in the previous innings, this may have been as low as a 110 overs, difficult but not out of the realm of possibility.

Yet, after 9 deliveries, Dravid was gone pawing outside the off-stump to Shoaib Akhtar, and Sehwag was gone bowled through the gate by an absolute stunner by Asif. One would have thunk that this can only happen once in a match, but then Asif got one to move a touch and another one to stay lower, and Laxman and Tendulkar were gone. The score was only 74, it was an hour to lunch, and there were atleast 9 hours of cricket left. In 3 days, Pakistan had gone from being the deer in headlights, to the semi truck moving at 80 miles per hour.

Yuvraj and Ganguly tried to fight back, and did so admirably, giving Indian fans something to cheer. But now, it was Razzaq's turn to shine. A ball moving in off the seam trapped Ganguly LBW for 37, India at 177 for 5. Dhoni was caught at slip, and Pathan at gully, leaving India at 216 for 7. With all hope gone, Kaneria came on to dismiss Kumble and Zaheer Khan, and shortly after Yuvraj's resistance also crumbled, with India all out for 265.

This was Pakistan's biggest victory by runs, and was a testament to the spirit and energy of a side, that did not have its leader, Inzamam, in the squad. One could see his influence, as he was often sighted in the pavilion, looking out. And it was Inzamam who lofted the series victory trophy. Who would have thunk that Inzy would be a leader of men at the same level as Imran Khan and Abdul Hafeez Kardar. Congrats to our boys!

Faisal Iqbal had been left out because of Miandad?

One innings does not a legend make, but this article in one of Pakistan's leading newspapers contends that Faisal Iqbal was not left out because of poor performances, but because of his relationship with Miandad.

Hopefully all this adulation is not the usual habit in Pakistan to idolize everyone after every good innings and to demonize them after one bad performance.

Pakistani fight back!

What a comeback! Or as perhaps LL Cool J would say, don't call it a comeback, they've been doing it for years! or atleast the last few months!

Pakistan began the day at 173 for 2, and looking towards setting a total of greater than 350 for the Indians, and did they do that or what! Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf went on to 158 for the third wicket, never really looking threatened by the Indian bowlers who were unable to get the wicket to do anything. Finally, Kumble, more by guile than any actual response from the wicket, was able to remove Younis Khan, and 38 runs later, Mohammad Yousuf, unluckily I would say, for 97.

Pakistan at this point were fairly safe with a lead of 324, and were perhaps looking for another 80 odd runs for satisfaction. Shahid Afridi came in for one of his usual cameos, and after a fairly restrained 32 off 35 deliveries, exploded after tea and scored 60 off 46 deliveries when he decided to let loose. Dismissed at 402, one could have said that Pakistan was sufficiently in a good position, and perhaps only needed to bat out the day.

Faisal Iqbal and Abdul Razzaq continued, however, to take the Indians to the sword and went on to add 109 off the next 31 overs. Even though I was one of the first to say Faisal Iqbal should not have been picked, he has repayed the faith of the selectors by a key century in the second innings.

I hate to sound like a homer, but the Pakistani squad has fought back since being 39 for 6, and has never really looked like they have lost their control of the match. Now, India will have to show their mettle with two days to go, and reach a world record score in the second innings to win. Go Pakistan!