Galli Galli mey Irfan - Not quite says Miandad

Javed Miandad is surprised by the reluctance of the Indians to go on defensive even when Pakistan was on top. Over to Miandad: "You cannot attack all the time in cricket. If things are not going your way, it makes sense to defend and frustrate the batsmen into making mistakes, and you can return to your offensive ways after dismissing them. It is critical for an under-the-pump bowling side to bowl on one side of the stumps and place the field accordingly. Kumble and Harbhajan bowled poorly, and they could have done much better, for there was certainly some turn in the pitch"

Remember, last time India toured Pakistan, there was a quote floating in the press, allegedly made by Miandad, on Irfan – "Your Irfan Pathans are in every galli and mohalla of Pakistan — we don’t even bother to look at them"’. And Irfan had gone on to torment the Pakistan batsmen in that series. Now Miandad takes time out to clear the issue, “I would like to clarify once again that I had never said anything of the sort. What I had actually stated was that it wasn’t easy to become an all-time great overnight. Irfan is a talented young bowler and will surely go places, but it is important that he has good support at the other end. He will improve by leaps and bounds if he gets a potent partner.

On the other hand, he will suffer if he is left to fight a lone battle. I thought India erred by not picking Zaheer Khan, for he is a wicket-taking bowler, and certainly more capable of troubling opposition batsmen on a flat track than Ajit Agarkar."

‘Ordinary’ – That’s the word most typed out in Krishnamachari Srikkanth's key board yesterday. The former dashing opener couldn’t control his disappointment at the Indian bowling performance. Click here to read his piece.

IANs reports that only 537 Indians have so far purchased tickets to watch the first Test at Lahore. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earmarked 8000 tickets for the Indian fans for the entire series but have not found many takers. So if you have time and inclination visit www.pcboard.com.pk., the official PCB website, and buy your way to Pakistan.