Pakistan clinch series in comprehensive fashion

Azhar won the toss for the fifth time in a row and this time elected to bat. A decision probably influenced by having lost the last three matches batting second. The pitch was a brand new one and purportedly a good batting strip.

The little master and Ganguly walked out to open and immediately cricket seemed different. Despite getting beaten more than a few times by a very penetrative-looking Aquib and an almost-customarily impressive Mehmood, Tendulkar gave a very positive impetus to things. The running between wickets improved, there's a very tacit understanding between Ganguly and Tendulkar. Aquib's bowling goes a notch higher when he's bowling to Sachin. He was keeping to the outside-the-off-stump corridor and making the ball move late. Mehmood was just as threatening. Cricket was at its best. Ganguly left with the Indian score on 35, edging a probing one from Mehmood into Inzamam's sure hands at slip. Sidhu playing half-forward, was caught plumb in front as the next ball nipped back in and kept a bit low. 35/2 in 11.2 overs. Not a happy plight. But, Tendulkar after one torrid over from Zahid, got into his rhythm coming down the track to hit Mehmood for a clubbed four through midwicket and Azhar followed this up with a cracking cover drive off Mehmood again. Sachin, a bit miffed at getting beaten a few times by Zahid, got stuck into him soon after. The perfectionist in him straining at the leash, he hit him for three forceful fours, a pull through midwicket, a lofted cover drive and a hard-hit square cut. He was beginning to dominate. He then proceeded to toy with Saqlain with a few cheeky paddle sweeps, Azhar getting into the act as well with a few of his signature flicks through the on-side. Sachin got out trying to force the pace, finding Inzamam with unfortunate accuracy as he swung one from Sohail to deep midwicket. Azhar and he had consolidated India's position sufficiently by then. 156/3 in the 35th over. The Indian skipper took charge thereafter and despite very little support from Jadeja and Mongia took the score past 200 and then lofted Saqlain by the sightscreen to get to a very well-made 100. He got out the next ball though, playing a nothing shot to be caught and bowled by Saqlain. A well paced out knock which couldn't have come at a better time. Agarkar, Srinath and Joshi in a late flourish that included two lusty sixes in Saqlain's final over by Agarkar and Joshi got India to a healthy 256. Competitive, but gettable on the best pitch of the lot at Toronto.

Srinath got Afridi early as he tried to chop at one that lifted, and played on. But, in what probably was the most determined, purposeful partnership of the tournament, Sohail, showing a welcome return to form and Anwar, finally playing well in Toronto, cut out the fancy stuff and took the game right away from India. Anwar finding the pitch to his liking, played a very graceful, wristy innings, only bothered by a bit of fire from Agarkar returning for his second and only impressive spell of the tournament. Sohail, struggling a bit initially, played a very responsible, well thought-out knock, opening out in the end to hoist Ganguly for a couple of sixes into the stands. India except for a nice, running catch from Agarkar, were a big disappointment with their out-cricket. One swirling catch off Moin dropped by Mongia and more than a few bad misfields cost them whatever little chance they might have had. Joshi again bowled very impressively causing the only possible alarms in the Pakistan camp, getting Anwar and Inzamam leg-before off successive deliveries. The latter off a gem of a ball, although Inzamam was a bit unlucky, the ball pitching just outside leg stump, before curling out towards off. Joshi should most definitely have been in the touring party to Zimbabwe. Azhar didn't say it in so many words, but had indicated that he'd have liked to have him on the team, during the post-match conference after the fourth match.

Pakistan cruised through in the end with 10 balls to spare. Sohail was 3 short of what would have been an extremely well-deserved 100. He'd played a captain's knock. He doesn't put up with much nonsense and he might well be the captain Pakistan has looked long and hard for. A bit of responsibility might mellow him down. In combination with Miandad, provided they don't get in each other's way too often, he could take Pakistan past the match-fixing wrangles and mould them into one fighting unit again. The signs are already there. Cricket awaits.

Contributed by: Krishna Kumar (latecut@hotmail.com)