Pak got their selection wrong

One of the more interesting items emerging from the Clock Tower at Lord8217;s, where the International Cricket Council have their office is...

One of the more interesting items emerging from the Clock Tower at Lord8217;s, where the International Cricket Council have their office is news that India have now moved ahead of Pakistan on the limited overs international rankings list. Yet there is this feeling while Sourav Ganguly8217;s team is being deservedly feted throughout the land, the victory at Gaddafi Stadium throws up more questions than answers.

For one thing, beating neighbours Pakistan 3-2 in the series with this victory by 40 runs has pushed India to fifth place and, for the first time since last October, India are ahead of their rivals. The second factor many seem to forget is that much of this success reverts to that competitive edge mentioned in an earlier column.

With their captain prostrate in pain in the dressing room with a back injury and unable to direct operations, India8217;s gameplan held together. There were some impressive fielding performances on an emotion-charged evening. Notice Sachin8217;s reaction when he pulled off that brilliant boundary catch which saw the end of Inzamam. It was the sort of catch which explained the qualities of a man who knows the extent of his own abilities and that of the game itself.

Despite his excitement at the catch and acceptance of the happy backslapping of his teammates as Pakistan8217;s innings tottered at 87 for five in the 21st over, Sachin went into the team huddle with what appeared to be a calming influence. Sure one battle had been won but the fight was far from over. Stay calm, remain alert and remember that there are still five wickets to fall.

As was noticeable when India were batting under lights on Sunday, the ball seemed to come on to the bat easier when the dew started falling and allowed for Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Kaif to build a partnership which did much to level the series. Is it wise to play a match in such conditions when the outcome of the game is influenced by the toss? This has long been debated since the World Cup final of 1996.

What you see are normally competent fieldsmen fumbling the ball as it becomes as slippery as a bar of soap in a shower. Tactics do not allow for such climatic interference. Yet Irfan8217;s tight opening spell, with three for 18 in seven overs, tells its own story. And begs the question: did Pakistan8217;s selection policy cost them the game?

Afridi has often been criticised for the extra touches of flamboyance that lead to his downfall. After three games he is sacked and Taufeeq Umar brought in for the crucial game having sat out the series. He has not batted against Irfan in such conditions while at least Afridi would have provided that competitive edge up front.

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Also noticeable was that Inzi8217;s field placings behind the wicket in the latter stages did not account for the fine touches that elude the wicketkeeper. At least Dravid, having taken over from Ganguly, had Laxman or Sehwag in the slip position during the early and middle spells bowled by the seamers and Murali Kartik.

India went into this crunch with a more assured gameplan than did Pakistan and, with the top-order blown away before the 25th over, it was a matter of applying the pressure and knowing how to handle the conditions while applying their tactics. It worked like a charm and India8217;s journey on this historic tour has been a valuable learning curve from which they have absorbed much knowledge.