Earlier in the first phase of game, Sehwag (89), Gambhir (62) and Yuvraj Singh (55) failed each and every strategy adopted by Pakistani bowlers to confine the Indian score in restricted level. Indian top order batting line fired in unison to lay down the foundation of a big total.
While observing the game played by opening partnership of Sehwag and Gambhir, analyst expected that India will attain 350 plus runs. But Indian team couldn’t maintain the same high momentum set by these two openers; however, not lost much of it.
Umar Gul was attacking bowler and ended his 10 overs with unpleasant figure of 3 for 61.
Wahab Riaz was stopped to continue his spell because of delivering two beamers.
Pakistani fielding was also not up to the mark and depicted a bad picture; as Younis Khan, who is considered as a best fielder in Pakistani team, dropped Gambhir when he was at the score of 4 and 29. That could be a turning point for Pakistani team but lost that chance also.
He missed first catch in the position of second slip in the very first over at Gul’s delivery. Second time, he dropped it at wide slip when Gambhir violently hit the ball; at this time Wahab was the bowler. Akmal should also take some of the blame in this defeat.
He missed the chance to end the Sehwag inning, by dropping the catch on Rao Iftikhar delivery when he was just at 43.
Sehwag was sure about his dismissal and started walking towards pavilion but he was stopped and the decision was referred to the third umpire. The replay clearly showed that Akmal had grounded the ball before catching. This proved to be a really a big miss. Sehwag scored 89 on 76 balls; which include 13 boundaries and one huge six on Wahab’s delivery.
Akmal later on saved himself from mistake by catching Sehwag. But it was much late; the damage had already been done.
Both players played as if the game was twenty20.
Yuvraj took time get into form, but when he came on his real track of game, there was no-man to stop that left-hander. He played immense game and scored 55 runs out of 54 balls; which include three four and three sixes. In the middle order, Yusuf Pathan with 4 and Rohit Sharma with 9 didn’t impress. However, Dhoni and Suresh Raina scored 24 and 26 and done much on their side.
