Inzy's memory is not that HUGE

It was funny to read Pakistan former Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq recently blaming Lawson’s inexperience as coach at the International level leading to recent losses against India in both ODI and Test Series (link is . http://chennaionline.com/colnewsnew/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B9B657005-0F1A-4E5D-918E-520B26003885%7D&CATEGORYNAME=Sports

It was funny indeed because it was his experienced team which had so tamely went down in the World Cup with a very experienced coach in late Bob Woolmer.

Inzamam will also do well to remember that when Pakistan had lost a test series and ODI series on its soil for the first time against India in 2004, he was the skipper (a very experienced one) and the coach of the team was Javed Miandad (another experienced campaigner).

Inzy wants some reasonable time for Malik to prove his mettle, then why not for Lawson to prove his credentials. He should rather be praising the coach and the team for ensuring that it did not go down 0-3 in the test series and at least by 1-4 margin in the ODIs.

One wonders what even Whatmore could have done with a team full with injured pacers, and trying to take on India in India.

Lawson has thrown a challenge which India might not accept

The final day of the Bangalore test tomorrow holds intriguing possibilities. Pakistan’s coach Geoff Lawson has thrown the challenge that they will go for a win if the score is competitive.

In other words, he has dangled a temptation for India to make it 2-0 by putting Pakistan in a position where their batsmen will go in for their shots.

However, given the fact that it is not everyday that you win a series against Pakistan, it is highly unlikely that Kumble will give them a target of around 4.5 runs per over, which is the only realistic target on this kind of pitch.

India's lead right now is 220 and if the target is to be 315-320 in about 70 overs, the Indian batsmen will have to go at five runs per over in the morning session. That way India will reach the target figure in 18-19 overs, leaving Pakistan with around 70.

But the problem with that kind of target is that it does give Pakistan a realistic chance and it is India who are leading the series right now. Lawson would not have thrown this challenge at India if Pak were leading!

India will be more comfortable with a target score of around 340-345, the same at Kolkatta, and Pakistan having about 60 to 65 overs to chase that (they had nearly 80 at Kolkatta). At least five runs per over will be what they will demand of Pakistan to make.

Needless to say, that will not be the kind of target Pakistan would like to chase. They will end that pursuit after the loss of just one or two wickets.

Anything above five is virtually impossible on this track, especially on the final day, and Pakistan can not realistically expect to chase a total which might need them to go at 5.5 to 6 runs per over. If they try, they will be in real danger of losing an uneven contest.

So Mr Lawson, you can take back your challenge. India would not like to share honours in a series which they have already won.