Tag Pak vs WI

How much does the verdict of commentator's on "how the pitch will play" matters to you.

To me, it matters quite a bit. Thus I have to say that commentators - Ramiz Raja and company failed to evaluate Lahore pitch for 1st test between Pakistan and West Indies.

They had predicted the Lahore pitch was rough and will break as the match progressed. In simple words - they saw it as "tailor made" for Danish Kaneria as Pakistan had lost their two main seamers.

The pitch turned out to be typical flat Pakistani wicket which got slower and slower. West Indies looked in One day mentality and played their stokes after winning the toss.

But were bowled out for just 206, because of some inspired bowling from Umar Gul and Shahid Nazir - who played his 10th test match after making his test debut 10 years ago..!!

Pakistan started similarly but one man stood for Pakistan as he is been doing for over a year now - Mohammad Yousuf. With 192 in this match, he now has 1315 runs in 2006 season from 15 test innings at the average of 93.92 with 6 centuries.

The record for most runs test matches in a season or in an year is by Vivian Richards - 1710 in the year 1976. Mohammd Yousuf is at 16th position in that list but he still has 2 more test matches against West Indies remaining, and his average in 2006 is second best of them all. How many do you think he will make....??

Pakistan went on to make 485 and a lead of 279 proved too much for the Caribbean team.

After a fighting century from Brain Lara, West Indies compiled only 291 - a lead of 12 runs which Pakistan overhauled in 5.1 overs.

Match result : Pakistan won by 9 wickets.
Man of the match : Umar Gul (9 for 164).
Series : Pakistan leads 1-0 in 3 test match "Bank Alfalah" series.

Notes from the test match :

-:- Sri Lankan Umpire Asoka de Silva made him comeback into International umpiring but he again made quite a few mistakes. It was clear that de Silva's capability as an umpire is not upto International standards.

-:- Brain Lara made his 33rd Test Match century. He now has two less centuries than Sachin Tendulkar and one less than Sunil Gawaskar.