Cricket was the loser
I Test between INDIA - PAKISTAN 2006

For a series, which was billed almost 10 times as intense and interesting as the Ashes, the opening test was an anticlimax. All the excitement that is usually associated with an INDO-PAK contest was missing in the match.The much expected tussle between the Pakistani bowlers and the Indian batsmen was not to be seen as the pitch was heavily loaded in favour of the batsmen.

The batsmen from both sides had a feast of runs as the bowlers toiled without any reward. The pitch was so dead that even one of the most mentally strong bowlers of the modern era , Anil Kumble and one of the Fastest bowlers of all time Shoaib Akthar failed to make any impact. The match brought back memories of a similar kind of a lifeless pitch in Colombo where Jaysuriya and Mahanama Pounded the Indian attack to ground
in a world record stand for the 2nd wicket.

There is no disrespect to the batsmen of both sides. A century is still a Century and they deserve all the credit. But if you ask them personally they would not rate these innings among their best efforts. This is why I believe we should not read too much in to the statistics of this match. If Geoffrey was watching this match he would have said,“ MY MOM COULD HAVE MADE RUNS ON THIS PITCH”. In fact I was not surprised When Wasim Akram told the other day on television that he would like to come out of retirement and bat on this wicket.

All Said and done it is the onus of the administrators to look after the game. They must ensure that such no contest pitches are never produced. The Pitch should be sporty and it should encourage all facets of the game. Even if the pitch slightly favors the home team it is not a sin, but to produce a pitch like this is inexplicable.

There is no other game in this world, which has the intricacies of test cricket. With the advent of one-day cricket test cricket has lost its charm. The real test for any cricketer is the TEST MATCH. It is the highest platform where every cricketer loves to make his mark. He strives to earn respect among his peers by establishing himself in test cricket. Will the cricket administrators give a thought to all these and take steps to protect this wonderful game which all loveSo dearly? It remains to be seen.