It could have been a day of immense possibilities for Pakistan. It ended as an inconclusive one. In normal circumstances Pakistan would have been happy to have bowled out India for 287 and made 61 for one wicket in reply.
But Pakistan had India 148 for seven and complete control of the Test match. It was not its stars who had put Pakistan in this strong position but Umar Gul who only played because Shabbir Ahmed was unfit. Indeed, many had felt that he had been lucky to have been retained in the squad. But I have not seen a bowler giving his everything, as Umar Gul did, since the glory days of Wasim Akram.
Then two things happened. Umar Gul who had taken five for 31 broke down and left the field, cramps or hamstring, it is not clear. Coinciding with this misfortune was good fortune for India in the way of a partnership between Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan that was able to put on 1117 sparkling runs and in the process make the Pakistan attack look pedestrian.
We have known about the batting skills of Yuvraj but Pathan was a revelation. He is no longer travelling hopefully, he has already arrived. I did not think that the Pakistan bowlers bowled all that badly.
It only seemed that way, such was the brilliance of Yuvraj and the matching belligerence of Pathan. His parents had come all the way to see their son perform and judging from their disappointment when he was caught and bowled by Danish Kaneria at 49, he must have broken their heart.
But this lad has a long way to go and there will be many more opportunities, for sure, for him to make his parents proud or better still, prouder. Yuvraj has only created a dilemma for his selectors. What happens when Saurav Ganguly returns? Some other batsman would have to be dropped, but which one?
Pakistan finally got a wicket to its liking and was lucky to have lost the toss. Rahul Dravid took the brave decision to bat and he might have regretted it once Umar Gul came on to bowl. It was a helpful wicket but it demanded immaculate line and length.
Mohammad Sami had started with a bang getting Akash Chopra leg-before in his first over, the second of the day. But this raised false hopes and one felt that Shoaib Akhtar and Sami tried too hard for they soon ran out of steam and became wayward.
It would be fair to say that the two senior bowlers were found wanting on a track that should have suited them. Shoaib's final bowling figures were one for 69 and Sami's were even more disappointing, two for 117.
Kaneria, who came on to bowl ahead of schedule, got two wickets for 56. How fantastic do Umar Gul's look by comparison. Pakistan had to bat for 23 overs, some of them under lights and it was an anxious time. Just when it seemed that the openers might see out the day, Taufiq Umar played all over a ball from Balaji that swung late, the half-volley did not materialise.
Yasir Hameed played one quite astonishing shot, as if he had suffered a total concentration failure and lashed out to Anil Kumble and he must thank his lucky stars that the ball did not go straight in the hands of Sachin Tendulkar. He has survived and hopefully will have reflected on this shot.
Imran Farhat has been watchful but put away the bad ball. Pakistan needs a substantial lead and this will require some good batting. It may not be possible to get India out relatively cheaply a second time and Pakistan will have to bat last and the wicket will start to take more spin. Pakistan must play it session by session.
In Asim Kamal, Pakistan has an additional specialist batsman and Kamran Akmal, who had a good day keeping wickets, is a decent enough batsman. Nor should Pakistan leave it to Inzamamul and Yousuf Youhana. Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed should be planning to play long innings. There is lot of cricket yet to be played.
It was extremely depressing to see the Qadhafi Stadium all but full. What's happened to the crowds? Pakistan needs its supporters and this could turn out to be a great Test match.
