India end the contest with 48 overs to go

Before we start with this small piece, a link as to why India would have never accepted Pakistan's challenge, written yesterday night.

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2007/12/lawson-has-thrown-challenge-which-india.html

India were never going to accept Lawson's challenge, but they were expected to at least give their bowlers some chance, some decent overs to bowl Pakistan out. If nothing, for the sake of test cricket at least.

Now, the situation facing Pakistan is beyond a team even in an ODI. Pakistan are to make 374 runs in 48 overs, and spectators have gone to sleep knowing nothing else save a draw is possible. Reasons are not to difficult to decipher.

-- Unfortunately, there are no field restrictions for the first 20 overs (usually teams consume powerplays in first 20 overs). India can place the field as they like. They can be offensive at will, and defensive as and when the situation warrants.

-- There is no fifth bowler for Pakistan to milk. So basically no weak link to score off. They will need at least two of the frontline bowlers to go totally off track.

-- India can slow the overrate and bring light into play as and when they want. Duckworth and Lewis do not decide Tests in such situations. Pakistan would have been game otherwise!

Pakistan have already achieved a moral victory. With India making 600 runs in the 1st innings twice, and still not able to win. That can happen only on subcontinent pitches. Still, Pakistan needed to do it and they did it not once, but twice. They can go home with their heads held high.