145;Kumble shouldn146;t be too disappointed146;

On a day when India bowled 90 overs, it was always going to be interesting keeping an eye on Anil Kumble to see how he performs after his la...

On a day when India bowled 90 overs, it was always going to be interesting keeping an eye on Anil Kumble to see how he performs after his lay-off. Which is precisely what former Pakistan captain, leg spinner Intikhab Alam chose to do sitting groundside. And speaking to The Indian Express afterwards, Inti expressed satisfaction at the return of the star Indian spinner.

Now a commentator with a leading cricket portal, Alam said, 8216;8216;It is never easy to make a comeback from injury, but he did not bowl all that badly. The more he bowls, the better he will get.8217;8217;

Kumble, out since the first VB Series final in early February, was picked for the Multan Test without having bowled a ball in the interim period, but went back after Day Three with the prized scalp of Multan boy, captain Inzamam-ul Haq.

To a large extent though, Kumble was also at the mercy of the pitch. The track remained absolutely flat and it was indeed a miracle that India managed to snare six of the Pakistanis. Alam too sympathised with Kumble, saying, 8216;8216;To be fair, he tried everything. He changed ends but there was no assistance whatsoever. There was little for a spinner in it.8217;8217;

Inti also points out that since the ball was already keeping a bit low from the Media Centre End, Kumble should opt to bowl from there: 8216;8216;There are a few rough patches and he can exploit those. But Kumble should not be too disappointed with his effort. The batsmen got on top of him after the second new ball was taken. That can happen at times when you are bowling a long spell.8217;8217;

In the same vein, Alam adds that both countries seem to have erred in reading the pitch, because otherwise they would have played additional specialist spinners. 8216;8216;I have been seeing Tendulkar, Sehwag and Yuvraj bowl and do well. But you need a specialist. Kumble is a front-on bowler and doesn8217;t turn the ball. That is why I feel Pakistan made a mistake by leaving out Danish Kaneria,8217;8217; Inti says.

To support his claim, Alam points out that the last two Tests in Multan were both won by spinners and Kaneria had played a major role in them.

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The World Cup winning coach was also of the opinion that there was little chance of the wicket crumbling in the next two days. 8216;8216;There is a little turn and that too when it is pitched outside the off-stump. When it is within the stumps, there is nothing. Importantly, it is such a good track that there is a lot of time for the batsmen. But though I think the wicket won8217;t break, the excessive heat could make it drier and the top could just crumble.8217;8217;

Over the next two days we will see if Inti is right or off the point. But it8217;s clear that as far as the former Pak great is concerned, he is as disappointed as anyone else about the dead pitch provided for the Test match.