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Coming into the series against India, Pakistan had been completely mauled by the Australians in a three Test tour.� A result that is not uncommon for all nations in this era of Test cricket.� By comparison, India had defeated South Africa and Bangladesh prior to taking on Pakistan.� Thus, India had a far more positive lead up to the series with their closest neighbours.
India was also ranked fourth and led fifth-placed Pakistan by a margin of 15 rating-points in the Test Cricket Ratings.� Overall, these factors combined with the home ground advantage should have been enough for India to win the series.
Indeed, the first Test started horribly for Pakistan with the score 6 for 191 at tea on the first day.� However, Pakistan was able to repeatedly dig themselves out of difficult positions throughout the series.� The key advantage they held over their Indian hosts appeared to be mental toughness.
However, India should feel that a series victory has eluded them when they should have nailed it.� In the first Test, India should have been able to wind up the Pakistani tail on the final morning and then set about chasing a smallish total.� Instead, India failed to take a wicket for the first three hours and Pakistan went on to post an unachievable victory target without enough time to force a result.
The second Test went to an Indian script, with a slight first innings lead being built into another unattainable victory target.� The difference being a better fielding effort that saw Pakistan fold under the pressure.
Following a pattern, the final Test saw Pakistan gain a more sizable 121 runs first innings lead, before bowling India out 168 runs short of the unattainable target.
India, on the other hand, had enough batting talent that they should have comfortably accounted for the Pakistanis.� India is not served well by their current choice of captain, whose decision making in the field was at best patchy.�
Nevertheless, the series was competitive, which is an increasing rarity in recent years.� Furthermore, any series between these nuclear rivals should always be celebrated given their rarity.� In the 52 years since India became the first nation to play a Test against Pakistan, the nations have met in only 12 series comprising 52 Tests.� These Tests have involved a remarkable 33 draws - 63 per cent - with Pakistan having won eleven and India eight.�
The draw sees India and Pakistan retain their positions in the ratings with a minor narrowing of the margin between them.� India has now eased one point back from their highest rating in history, which they set against Bangladesh in December.
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The latest Test cricket ratings are: 1. Australia (1250); 2. England (1132); 3. South Africa (1124); 4. India (1077); 5. Pakistan (1063) ; 6. Sri Lanka (1045); 7. New Zealand (1021); 8. West Indies (967); 9. Zimbabwe (864); 10. Bangladesh (794).
