It always feels so much better to write after a victory.

Inzy won the toss and I was surprised he chose to bat first. It seems the Pakistan think tank was going by the previous match at this ground against England where the pitch was turning and Pakistan had successfully defended 210. It turned out to be the wrong desicion as there was significant lateral movement early on, which Pathan exploited well.

Pakistan were on the backfoot immediately with Salman Butt falling for nought to the second ball of the innings ( 0/1). Kamran Akmal fell for 14, chopping a ball on to the stumps that was too close to square cut ( 43/2). Mohd. Yusuf was comically run out for 1, to some quick thinking from Tendulker, making it 46/3. Soon it was 68/4 with Inzy falling for 8.

Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan played valuable knocks of 95 and 81 respectively but the Pakistan innings folded at 265 all out in 49.2 overs. Pathan was Man of the Match, getting 3 wickets for 43 off 10 overs. Conditions like these are tailor made for Pathan and he bowled a very disciplined line and moved the ball more than any bowler today.

I like Sreesanth and he will get better with experience. He bowled better than his figures suggest ( 10-0-52-0), giving only 12 runs from 4 overs at the death. He clocks 84 - 85 miles an hour, which is fast by the standards of this attack! His action can be improved on and I expect him to pick up another yard of pace. His throw to run Malik out was inch perfect from the boundary and came at a time when Malik and Younis Khan were looking dangerous.

The Indians effected 4 run outs and apart from a couple of goof ups on the boundary by Zaheer, the ground fielding was sharp. Raina, Kaif and Yuvraj applied pressure on the batsmen taking singles and did a great job.

Zaheer tried hard and was okay but he does not look as if he is going to last very long. That Agarkar continues to get games is reflective of the acute dearth of fast bowling talent we are suffering from. I hope that some of the youngsters come through the ranks and make it to the national team soon. Agarkar was poor and that is not going to change. His figures are deceptively flattering ( 10-0-52-2).

Dhoni has been a God-send as far as the batting is concerned but his keeping has significant room for improvement in footwork (the basis of good wicket-keeping) and anticipation. His goal-keeping like technique should be improved upon. He is a natural athlete and can iron out the kinks in technique without much trouble. A few days with Kiri at the NCA are all that he needs.

The pitch was perfect to bat on after the first 40 minutes and the Indians were in top form with the bat. I am happy to see Sehwarg return to form ( 67 off 60 balls). He hit a magnificent six over third man as only he can and three successive fours in one over from Rana Naved, who had a torrid time today. Sehwag was run out to a fantastic direct hit by Gul from the boundary.

Sachin was looking good, till he tickled one to Akmal, trying to run the ball fine past the keeper ( 42 off 43  balls). The score then read 105/1 off only 15.1 overs and the platform for victory had been laid.

Dravid scored 56 and Yuvraj was not out on 82 when India won the game ( 266/3 in 43.1 overs). A win is a win but the margin of victory was pleasing. A word about Yuvraj. He batted very well, hitting some terrific drives and pulls. He was tested by their spinners and played them very well, I thought.

I just hope the team can carry this momentum into the next game. The team winning the next game will probably win this series.