I can't figure out.. if the proof reader of this piece was on holiday or this was meant for a Fool's day reading.. Starting from the first sentence where it talks of Pak's 1st day score being 362/2 (it was 326/2) to when it says that Yonis got run out because Shoaib Akhtar (??) was not backing up and further down to more such blunders; the article is just full of gross inaccuracies.. Mr. Panicker, I love reading your articles.. but is the workload becoming way too much??
I've read and enjoyed Prem Panicker's brilliant writing for years now. This article of yesterday's play (I did watch it on Ten Sports) beautifully brought out the essence of yesterday's play.
However, I was more than a bit shocked by two glaring errors in the text. It's certainly not something one has grown to expect from Prem:
In the bit that reads: "On this occasion, however, his partner was not backing up; Shoaib Akthar was rooted to the crease and by the time Younis turned and dove back into his crease..." -- It was SHAHID AFRIDI who was rooted to the crease, not SHOAIB, who DID NOT BAT AT ALL in the Pak innings.
And tnen, in this passage: "India went into lunch with some hope three wickets falling quickly towards the close of the first session; only Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal among the recognized bowlers left" -- the text should have read, "... and Akmal among the recognized BATSMEN left".
The unintended errors are probably a result of Prem having to do TOO MUCH in TOO LITTLE time.
Good article, but I expect from a senior writer like Prem to go thro' his article atleast once for mistakes. When Younis Khan was run out it was not Shahid Afridi and not Shoaib Akhtar at the non-striker end. And when India went into lunch, Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal were the last recognised batsmen and not bowlers. Otherwise a good article.
The first Test of a 3-Test series is always important for gaining a psychological edge over the rivals for the rest of the series.
In 2004, India wrested the initiative by batting first and piling-up a massive 675 for 5 declared in the first innings of the first Test in Multan. Pakistan succumbed to the sheer volume of runs and India kept the pressure on to go on and win the Test as well as the seies.
There is a remarkable similarity between the Pakistan score in the current Test and India's mountain of runs in Multan. The toss is critical on a flat track as exhibited by Pakistan. Had India won the toss, they too would have loved to make first use of the beltor and repeat Multan 2004. But, Dravid lost the toss and Pakistan ended up in this formidable position.
An Indian victory on this track is IMPOSSIBLE now. This leaves the task well cut-out for the Indians: 1). Avoid the follow-on by reaching 480 and 2). Keep batting for as long as possible. It is not too hard to achieve on this flat track if their batsmen show application and determination.
Should we keep Ganguly still in the team.Is it no Team India.How an ex boss can dictate the present boss. When Dravid instructed, Ganguly should open the innings.It is for the shake of team not for individuals performance.When he was captain how mant times he has not opened the innings.That time for making big individual score not for team.
If he continue in the team there wont be any team spirit and people like Shehwag, Yuvaraj, Harbajan ma follow him. I dont know their relationship. This is my imagination and it is happning also.
Hi Rediff Team, I have rarely see an article with so many mistakes:
1. First days score was 326 / 2 not 362/2. 2. younis khan was run out with Shahid Afridi. and you have mentioned Shoiab akhtar who never came into bat in this innings. 3. you have mentioned ganguly's catch as good as one taken by adam bacher. I guess you are talking abt IND VS SA test match where sachin scored 169 odd before a outstanding catch by Herscelle Gibbs on Square leg dismissed him.
Pakistan made "326" for 2 off 85 overs on day 1 and not "362" as it appears in the article. They added another "353" runs on day 2 and not "317" as mentioned in the article.
