Humble Beginnings
A Profound Question

Ind vs. Pak, 6th ODI

11:48 EST :: No respite for India; the carnage continues. Afridi really carved up Ashish Nehra. Nehra's 1st over went for 22 runs. Here's how Afridi played his first six balls: . 4 4 4 6 4

01:15 EST :: Pakistan moving along smoothly. Butt went for an uneventful 3 and Afridi provided an explosive 23-ball 44. Malik and Youhana have now put up a partnership of 66 runs. It's time to accumulate. Pakistan is on track for an assault in the last overs. They're following a simple and effective strategy. India will likely have to chase a score in excess of 300.

02:15 EST :: Pakistan made 200 runs in 37 overs. They should make it to around 315 runs if they score at their full potential. They still have 6 wickets in hand.

Final Update :: Pakistan scored 303 runs. It was more than enough as India was vanquished for less than half that:

For Pakistan, it was an outstanding comeback in the series, and one which should go down as one of the best comebacks in an ODI series. The Indians had plenty riding on this match – it was their last chance to level the series, and it was the last match with John Wright doing coaching duties. The result, though, wasn't quite as they would have wanted it.

Of the last 10 ODIs India have played against Pakistan, they've won 2. Their last 4 defeats have been increasingly comprehensive. India's lack of bowling firepower and out of form batsmen, Dravid excepted, are the reasons for their limp losses. This is a sad decline for the team that faced Australia in the last World Cup final.

Pakistan, however, have gained strength since the World Cup in 2003. Inzi performed miserably in that tournament but, after a brief absence, he has led the young team to greater prominence. He's also the best Pakistani batsman of his generation. The return of Afridi and Malik have given the Pakistanis a lot of batting and bowling options. Hameed and Butt have both showed their skill at the top order. Hasan and Sami are improving as strike bowlers. Akmal is now the wicket keeper. And, the street-smart Younis Khan is being groomed for the captaincy. By next year, Pakistan should have an ODI team as strong as the one in 1998-99.

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