INDIA VS. PAKISTAN CRICKET

*If you have read about the Indian Student Association show I have been talking about, then it would also interest you to know that we made a video honoring this historic cricket series between India and Pakistan. The video is not available online.

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It's all over. India has made history and won the third test at Rawalpindi. I have never seen anything like this before and it will be a time well cherished. As most of you all know Pakistan batted first and made over a measly 200 runs. India put over 600 on the board with a fantastic Rahul Dravid double century. Pakistan was then rattled out at a low score again, failing to make the lead runs.

(Thursday, April 8, 2004)

Pakistan came back with an equal effort as the Indians had done in Multan and leveled the test series. This has been really interesting so far. This time though, the Indian batting line-up completely failed, and Pakistan bowlers took advantage and bowled superb spells to hamper the Indians. Umar Gul posed the biggest threat as he claimed 5 wickets in the first innings, while Shoaib Akhtar scalped Indian wickets in the second innings. The Pakistanis only had to make 40 runs to win. One good news for the Indians was that Pakistan did not win by a whole inning. The third test match is likely to keep up with the pace of such vicious bowling attacks and vociferous batting performances.

(Wednesday, March 31, 2004)

With a staggering and lively performance, India has won the first test in the 3-test series and the first test match on Pakistani soil (Multan). Virender Sehwag's 309 runs and Sachin Tendulkar's 194 set up a rocking 675 total score. Pakistan were forced to follow on, and again failed to stay at crease, despite Yohanna's valiant century. India's Anil Kumble and Pathan rocked the Pakistani side in both their innings and secured an Indian victory of 52 runs and an inning. The next test match will be held at Lahore and there is word that the curator is told to make that pitch a little bit more grassy to suit the Pakistani bowlers.

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(Saturday, March 25, 2004)

India has taken the series! India made a large score of 293 runs and bowled Pakistan out 40 runs short. In the middle of the game when Pakistan were 150-6, it looked like a certain game for India, but the tail-enders held on to their game to make the end a bit more exciting. Good luck to both teams in the tests. (See newely added picture to Picture of the Month gallery added for March)

Laxman make a quick return to form as he makes a valuable century during the final match, which takes India to an imposing 293 run total.		Ganguly proudly holds the Samsung cup after India beat Pakistan 3-2.
	The men-in-blue that made it happen.

(Saturday, March 21, 2004)

India has beat Pakistan by overcoming a large total set by the Pakistanis of 292 runs. In the beginning of the game, India were 100 with 4 wickets down. The only advantage they had was a huge run rate thanks to Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly. But thanks to Rahul Dravid and Mohd. Kaif's partnership of 100+ runs, India won the game with still 3 or 4 overs to spare. Now the series is tied 2-2.

(Saturday, March 20, 2004)

Pakistan has beat India again as excellent effort was shown by the Pakistanis in overcoming a modest target set by the Indians of 245 runs. Now the series is 2-1 and there is pressure on the Indian team to perform in the next match, or the series will go to Pakistan.

(Thursday, March 18, 2004)

Two days ago, Pakistan came back with an unequalled effort and beat India by only 12 runs. Never in my life have I seen such harrowing misses, such passion for the game, and pure ecstasy. Sachin Tendulkar is definitely my hero. I just wish he would perform well more often, but I can understand the life he has to live and the pressures he has to face. A job well done by the Pakistanis, and nice try Indians. Another thing, Pakistan's President Musharraf invited the whole Indian cricket team for a breakfast with him, and I just thought that was really cool.

(Saturday, March 14, 2004)

Nobody could've asked for a better cricket match between the former arch-rivals as the first ODI was kicked off with the largest aggregation of runs in cricket history! As I watched the match, I was kept to the edge of my seat till the last ball. India were victorious in the game, but that wasn't as important to me. What I thought was the best India Pakistan match was riddled with messages of peace, with flags that were half Indian and half Pakistani, with the players exchanging pleasantries instead of demeaning words. The players even hugged each other. I don't care if you like Pakistan or India, I don't care if you hate each others' guts, but I do care if you try to impede this process of peace. Peace is upon us everyone, and cricket is so much better when two of the best teams play with such sportsmanship as to make everyone proud, not just one team, but both teams.

India blazed from the start with a weird six from Sachin Tendulkar (28) and the constant barrages of fours from Virender Sehwag (79). Sourav Ganguly (45) kept the runs going with 2 sixes as Dravid began to settle in. Kaif played superbly during his batting and was absolutely fantastic. Technically I'm supporting the Indian team, but after this game, victory or loss doesn't mean much looking at the way both sides fought. Even the Chicago Tribune ran an article on this breathtaking match. The Pakistani batting attack began with 2 quick wickets, and I thought hope would be lost for the Pakistanis. I can tell you now, that one year ago if the Indian team was batting with such pressures (as they did against Australia in the world cup) we would've barely managed to hit a few sixers and get out all at once. But now things have changed, the Indians are keeping a cool head with Pakistan a brilliant example. India made 349 runs and Pakistan was just 5 runs short, 344.

For pictures click here.

(Friday, March 12th, 2004)

India played a practice game with the Pakistan A team and found the results less than formidable. Our bowling let us down once again, like it had done in the final of the world cup. India made a massive 335 runs and 6 out in the allotted 50 overs. But Pakistan's vibrant team went on to make one more run (336/4) and won by 6 wickets with 4 overs remaining! So, besides our bowling attack, it was a fantastic game. Here are some pictures (courtesy of www.htcricket.com)

(Sunday, February 23rd, 2004)

Ever seen a cat fight between two really hot women in a movie? Well, I hate to admit it, but that's the game that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Indian cricket board (BCCI) are playing. Politics have gone way beyond the reach of people like me. Before I ruin it for myself and all you readers (who definitely cannot live without me writing everything that's going on in this world), I will try to post information right here without any biases involved (as opposed to the media which . Well so the situation is that this series (India Pakistan) is most likely to happen but not without the added pleasure of politicians pouting about how each step taken by their rival is a kick in the face or dust in the eyes...you get the point. Ok, so here is the plan. The series starts at the end of March 2004 and will include 3 test matches and 5 one-day matches. I will add a little summary of every match above the previous entry. Pictures will also go here. At the end, it will be like an archive! This is a historic series and must not be forgotten. Also, even though I'm staying away from politics, I must include some views (without senseless biases). Of course, since I am Indian, I will be supporting the Indian team, but also frankly speaking, I'm sick and tired of this India Pakistan fighting and cricket is just a freaking sport. So, let's treat it like one! Alright, keep coming back for updates. Also, visit www.cricinfo.com for official news and such.

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