Monday 6th February, 2006 will be known well among cricket historians and fans at large for 2 reasons. First, Pakistan won the first of the 5 match series against India, thanks mainly to bad light and the Duckworth Lewis rule and next Sachin Tendulkar became the 1st player in the shorter version of the game to score 14000 runs. The game will also be remembered for the most bizarre way the Pakistan captain got out.
First things first, Pakistan won the toss on a beautiful cloudy morning in Peshawar and opted to field first. Their option to field first was soon rewarded in the form of Shewag, when the score was on 5. Irfan Pathan – newly crowned all rounder of the team took the No.3 spot and silenced all his critics with a well made half-centuary. He was eventually out for 65 from 65 balls. However, India was in a definite attacking mood right from the word go, which made the Indian version of Adam Gilchrist to enter the crease. Dhoni played a gem of an innings with yet another half centuary.
While the drama was going on, the other side was occupied by the little master who was progressing at a steady pace. He too had his initial share of luck, he was bowled by Naved when he had just 20 runs on the board – but fortunately for him it was of a No Ball and this piece of cake was enough for him to make his 39th one day international centuary and at the same time crossing 14000 runs.
India eventually made 328, but personally I think they could have definitely made more if only they had held onto their wickets. Indians lost their last 6 wickets for a meager 20 runs.
Though only a few teams in the past have successfully chased a score beyond 300, Pakistani batsmen where upto it from ball one. Though they started a bit shaky, they soon steadied the ship and with wickets in hand they hit the ball all round the park. When they crossed the 250 mark, Inzamam-ul-Haq was out in a bizarre fashion. He was out for ‘obstructing the fielders throw’- the rules are clear and he was asked to leave the field. But this in no way hindered the Pakistani’s who were slowly inching towards their target. When they reached 311 for the loss of 7 wickets, bad light took control of the game. They needed 18 runs from 18 balls and when the umpires offered the light to the batsman, they gladly accepted it. As per the D/L rule, they were ahead by 7 runs and hence Pakistan won the match by 7 runs.
So, the 1st ODI ended in the most out of the ordinary way as one could expect. But immaterial of what ever has happened, the match will be recorded as a Pak victory.
First things first, Pakistan won the toss on a beautiful cloudy morning in Peshawar and opted to field first. Their option to field first was soon rewarded in the form of Shewag, when the score was on 5. Irfan Pathan – newly crowned all rounder of the team took the No.3 spot and silenced all his critics with a well made half-centuary. He was eventually out for 65 from 65 balls. However, India was in a definite attacking mood right from the word go, which made the Indian version of Adam Gilchrist to enter the crease. Dhoni played a gem of an innings with yet another half centuary.
While the drama was going on, the other side was occupied by the little master who was progressing at a steady pace. He too had his initial share of luck, he was bowled by Naved when he had just 20 runs on the board – but fortunately for him it was of a No Ball and this piece of cake was enough for him to make his 39th one day international centuary and at the same time crossing 14000 runs.
India eventually made 328, but personally I think they could have definitely made more if only they had held onto their wickets. Indians lost their last 6 wickets for a meager 20 runs.
Though only a few teams in the past have successfully chased a score beyond 300, Pakistani batsmen where upto it from ball one. Though they started a bit shaky, they soon steadied the ship and with wickets in hand they hit the ball all round the park. When they crossed the 250 mark, Inzamam-ul-Haq was out in a bizarre fashion. He was out for ‘obstructing the fielders throw’- the rules are clear and he was asked to leave the field. But this in no way hindered the Pakistani’s who were slowly inching towards their target. When they reached 311 for the loss of 7 wickets, bad light took control of the game. They needed 18 runs from 18 balls and when the umpires offered the light to the batsman, they gladly accepted it. As per the D/L rule, they were ahead by 7 runs and hence Pakistan won the match by 7 runs.
So, the 1st ODI ended in the most out of the ordinary way as one could expect. But immaterial of what ever has happened, the match will be recorded as a Pak victory.
