Moin missing, Inzi revels in captain’s role

Yet the game has been the antithesis of that in Multan, where Pakistan were mentally on another playing field to what they are now. It was where India were better prepared and focussed and carried the confidence of the 3-2 limited-overs series victory.

Despite the absence of Sourav Ganguly, they played with all the spice and confidence of a team knowing what they were about. It all fell into place and it showed. In Lahore, India have lost their focus. The pretty words of praise have not added to their inspiration either.

The big difference is that Pakistan went into the game with a restructured side and a psyche which explains much of the reversal of their form. It was like the tough-minded sides of the 1990s. No challenge was too great, no opposition too powerful. For one thing, that old harbinger of defensive field placings, Moin Khan, is absent and with the leadership squarely on his shoulders Inzi has accepted the challenge.

No doubt he has consulted coach Javed Miandad about bowling strategies against various Indian batsmen as well as field placings; but we also have to give Inzi some credit as well for his own intuitive ideas. His handling of Umar Gul in the second innings reflects largely on the young man’s ability to unsettle the top Indian batsmen.

Even a novice would have been alerted to his effectiveness on a pitch designed to help his pace as well as to get the in-swing working. The delivery with which he bowled VVS Laxman was certainly the delivery of this Lahore Test.

Yet India have not batted well. Not as well as did the lower Pakistan order. Runs were leaking in all directions as Asim Kamal was allowed to score 73 and the Pakistan innings realised 489 and an important 202 runs lead. And this was after India picked up four wickets before lunch and were in a sense back in with a sniff of taking control. Also, we cannot blame umpiring decisions for all the errors, although Steve Bucknor has not had a good game.

Then again, whatever possessed Rahul Dravid to go for that single where there was none exposed the fallacy that Pakistan’s fielding was not as alert as it should be.

It is just as well Ganguly is on his way back to Pakistan for the crucial third Test in Rawalpindi. It’s not just Dada’s leadership abilities India need but also his style of confidence which should regenerate the focus missed in this game.