The first test: A Pakistani perspective

After the rather easy win in the 1st test, the Indians have taught the cricketing fraternity quite a few lessons, especially the fraternity belonging to the other side of the border.
The PAkis could do well to take some lessons from this game. Here are a list of 7 commandments, which should hopefully help them:

1) Thou shalt not play "gracious host". Thou shalt only play cricket: It is all fine when it comes to socio-political situations, but in a cricket arena graciousness should be left thrashed. The stadium is a battle-field, nothing more.. nothing less.

2) Thou shalt not take the "India Shining" Campaign too seriously: Don't take the Feel Good slogan to heart. It is just a gimmick by the ruling party and is a way of garnering votes. It does not mean that you should help India shine. You are under no obligation to do that for the Indian politicians.

3) Thou shalt not behave like good neighbors : You have never been good neighbors, please dont change yourselves in a cricket field of all places in the world.

4) Thou shalt not get intimidated by Sehwag, or his Maa for that matter : Sehwag is just another Indian batsman with probably 2-3 shots more in his kitty than the others. Lay the bait on him, feed him with hittable balls. He will surely get out. Take lessons from Fleming, if you can.

5) Thou shalt take the catches that come your way : Need I elaborate on this? Ek catch dropped.. fine, 2, okk... but 6?? You are talented cricketers dudes..... remember that.

6) Thou shalt not give Kumble more respect than he deserves : Just because Jayaprakash gave him 10 wickets, doesnt mean he will repeat it every test. Put him in his place, and the rest will follow.

And lastly
7) Thou shalt no get bogged down by the names in the Indian lineup : Cricket is as much a mental game as it is physical. The Indian batting does boast of really big and talented names. But remember, they are all human. You have the bowlers to give them trouble, so please do so!

The first test is like your first board exam. It sets the tone for the rest of the exams. The tougher person shall rise after a bad start, and the complacent person shall falter after a good start. So each team should decide the course to take, and hope we have a great humdinger of a test series.

--Avi