India have edge on flat top

It8217;s a four-hour drive from Islamabad to Lahore and the 350-km motorway, with breathtaking scenery, makes for a fast, fun trip. The cri...

It8217;s a four-hour drive from Islamabad to Lahore and the 350-km motorway, with breathtaking scenery, makes for a fast, fun trip. The cricketers missed out on it by opting to fly here but they can make up in the match tomorrow: the 22-yard bald patch in the centre of Gaddafi Stadium is as smooth, and makes scoring as fast, as much fun.

Given that both teams have an array of stroke-makers and bat right down the order, anything less than 300-320 runs will be below par. But India will feel the probable absence of Virender Sehwag, who injured his shoulder while lifting Rana for six during his innings at Pindi which put India in sight of the target.

However, form counts for little in ODIs and consistency has never been Sehwag8217;s strongest suit. Also, if Gautam Gambhir replaces him, as is likely, it gives the opening pair a left-right combination.

It8217;s a 8216;day/evening8217; match, peculiar to these parts at this time of the year. The 11 a.m. start, Inzamam-ul Haq believes, is ideal as it negates the dew factor and reduces the importance of the toss.

8216;8216;The early morning conditions don8217;t exist and both teams read batsmen start on an equal footing8217;8217;, he pointed out today. Somehow, the bowlers in an ODI never figure in the scheme of things; they are bit players whose only role is to offer themselves for brutal assault for the entertainment of the packed galleries.

The topsy-turvy nature of this series, and India8217;s comprehensive, all-round victory yesterday, makes it tough for journalists here to make any predictions or spot patterns. One defeat or victory doesn8217;t change a team and the Indians will have to be on guard because Pakistan will come hard at them. There8217;s nothing much India have to plan, apart for the usual exhortations to their bowlers to stick to line and length. All the batsmen have scored in either of the first two matches.

In Sehwag8217;s absence the key could be Yuvraj. The No 4 position is best for his abilities and he will remain a vital cog in deciding whether India can get a high score. The Punjab left-hander doesn8217;t need to slog; just a punch off the backfoot or a lazy lean into a half-drive is enough to send the ball rolling.

Story continues below this ad

While the hosts had an optional Sunday nets, the Indian team stayed put in their hotel rooms 8212; with the exception of Suresh Raina, who had nets at the adjacent Lahore Cricket Academy.

Both sides appear relaxed but there8217;s a ripple of tension just below the surface. Taking the lead in this five-match series would put either team in the driver8217;s seat. There is all to play for tomorrow.

MATCH FACTS

8226; This isn8217;t Pakistan8217;s happy hunting ground; they8217;ve lost three of their last five matches here

8226; It is, though, for India. They have won their last two encounters against Pakistan here, both in 2003-04. And in both situations, too: Reaching Pakistan8217;s 293 with five wickets in hand, then scoring 293 and winning by 40 runs

Story continues below this ad

8226; It8217;s a high-scoring surface; the lowest score recorded in the last five matches here is 230, the highest is 3278212;both in matches between Pakistan and England

8226; The only variable will be batting under lights, though the early-evening finish means there8217;s no dew factor