Pakistan vs India, 4th Match at Dambulla, Jun 19 2010 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Hopefully Cricket Australia's admen saw this game. There is room for 50-over game still, but if only they are scheduled well. What. A. Match. For those who had forgotten how India-Pakistan matches felt like - and I had frankly - these guys raised some hell in the sleepy Dambulla. This old dog has life in it yet.

Now we can catch our collective breaths. Congratulations to both the teams for this match that went this way and that throughout close to 100 overs. There was good cricket, there were freak moments, there were nerves, there were some ordinary moments that come with nerves, and in the end a finish for the ages.

If Gambhir and Dhoni and Ajmal reinforced their reputations, there were youngsters who built themselves one. Aamer and Raina were superb in the match. Never mind that six, Aamer absolutely bowled his heart out tonight, and he will walk away with three-fors and four-fors on other days with bowling worse than this. When time called for it, Raina played a superb hand, despite his obvious weakness against the short ball. But - for perspective's sake - let's not compare this with the Javed Mianddad- Chetan Sharma last ball. Let's just leave that moment alone.

And when you are in a fight, under pressure, do take Harbhajan Singh along. Thanks for joining us, hope you enjoyed the match as much as we did.

Presentation time

Gautam Gambhir is MoM "The Champions Trophy was fresh in my mind, this was payback time. Not only me, the whole team was determined to win this one. The gameplan was to have wickets in hand, not to just go bang bang. We had some big hitters to follow, we kept telling each other we need to bat as long as possible. We had Powerplay in the last 10 too. The way Bhajji and Raina finished off was great. I wan't able to pick the spinners at all, it was impossible to pick them from the hand. The light has to improve. I didn't see the last over, especially after Raina got out, my heart was in my mouth."

MS Dhoni "Not really, wasn't cool today. With a match like this, especially against Pakistan, you can never be cool. Thanks to Bhajji, you can call him an allrounder now. We, the batsmen, should have finished the game. In such stages, the heartbeat goes up, and we can only give expert comments from inside. Our fast bowlers bowled well, they might have gone for runs in a couple of overs. I am pleased with them. Zaheer bowled well, Ashish though not 100% fit I am satisfied with him, Praveen as usual was street-smart, and Bhajji made up with the bat. Not the first time I have had a partnership with Gauti, from India A days in Kenya, we have had good partnerships. Under the light, it is difficult to play spinners who can turn it both ways."

Shahid Afridi "It was a great game of cricket, we all enjoyed. The way Dhoni, Gambhir, Raina and Bhajji played, it was amazing. Good entertainment as well. I just told them not to worry about anything, just to bowl in the right areas. I am quite happy with the team's performance, and we will definitely improve."

What. A. Finish. Has Bhajji been unsettled by that altercation with Shoaib? What a time for PK to come out

Last over, what a finish

16 off 12 now. What a game. Shoaib at the top of his mark. Running in, Raina waiting. That wait must be excruciating for Shoaib to come in off that long run

24 off 15 now. Anybody's game. Ajmal limping off the field. They don't want him anyway nearby in a close last-over finish. Long-off, long-on and square leg outside

Aamer has two overs to go. Should come on right away. And he does