Congratulations to Rahul Dravid, the Indian cricket team, Greg Chappell and the support staff for a deserving series win. That it came in Pakistan makes it extra special and avenges the loss at home last year. There was no shortage of people writing the team off after the loss at Peshawar, oblivious to the fact that the game was evenly poised when play was stopped.

That the team has come back from that loss and the demoralizing test defeat at Karachi, is a tribute to the team's determination and  professionalism. This has been the hallmark of this team over the last couple of years. Teams of the past have routinely rolled over after big losses abroad. The team is now doing justice to the overwhelming support it recieves from the fans and corporate India. It deserves our wholesome adulation.

Back to the game. Rahul won the toss and put Pakistan in. Our bowlers put in their best bowling performance of this series so far. Irfan and Sreesanth bowled well to start off and R P Singh used the conditions very well. As in the previous games, we took early wickets. This ensured that their batsmen were forced to focus on survival rather than scoring. The chance of taking advantage of the fielding restrictions in the powerplays was never an option. 

Irfan bowled well, exploiting the moisture in the pitch ( 7.5-2-26-3). There are few bowlers in world cricket who use helpful conditions as well as him. Raina took a good catch to dismiss Kamran Akmal off Irfan to start the slide ( 15/1). Wickets fell in a flurry and it was soon 29/4. The only partnership of any substance was between Inzamam and Mohd. Yusuf for 68 runs till Yusuf fell with the score at 97. Pakistan were all out for 161.

Sreesanth bowled well too ( 8-1-30-1), getting Butt to a wonderful catch by Rahul Dravid. The catching today was top notch, making amends for Lahore. Pathan took a good catch later too. Sreesanth moves the ball less than the left armers but hits the deck hard and is easily our most lively bowler. He lends the attack variety and will be more effective than the rest on flat tracks.

R P today bowled like Pathan in a different body! He came up first change in the 13th. over and took the wickets of the in form Malik and Younis Khan in that over. He has the ability to swing the ball and has a good inswinger and off cutter like Pathan. He bowled with tight control today and was amply rewarded for it. I had criticized him for poor control at Lahore but he made amends today, winning the MOM award ( 10-0-40-4). 

Agarkar, I am afraid, remains the weak link and I hope that some more bowling options show up before the world cup. Tendulker was the most economical bowler ( 9-0-27-1), getting his bunny, Inzamam, again, when he was looking dangeous. That is the largest bunny you will ever see!

India started poorly with Tendulker falling to a poor shot for a duck ( 5/1). Gambhir hit a few good shots mixed with some bad ones. He hit Sami for three 4s in one over, got carried away and fell to the last ball of that over ( 29/2). His spot in the ODI squad is going to remain shaky for now. Rahul and Yuvraj then set about repairing the damage and took the score to 114 before Yuvraj was caught behind for 37 ( 114/3). Kaif looked totally at sea during his six ball stay and slashed at a wide delivery without moving his feet. He fell for a duck making it 115/4. Rahul was lbw to an inswinging full toss from Sami and the Indians were suddenly under pressure ( 133/5). Raina reeled off a string of 4s, driving on the off side and looked good in an unbeaten 35 off 34 balls. Another wicket at 133 and we would have been in trouble but Raina made sure we won the game. Dhoni remained unbeaten on 2. The target was overhauled in 32.3 overs. A comprehensive victory by any standard.

I saw several people in the crowd praying fervently quite openly during the game. I wonder how they feel and what their thoughts are when their team still gets thrashed on the field.

Anyway, this series win ensures that the Indian cricket team's return to Karachi will be in stark contrast to their departure from the port city just a few days ago. And what a wonderful balm that is!