Kyun Itna tum Muskara rahe ho (Why are you smiling so much!)

Just before tea on the second day at Bangalore, cameras focused on an unsuspecting Shoaib Akhtar, smiling away to glory. Probably it was his frustration masquerading as smile, and was telecast to the millions of TV viewers the world over.

The Commentator on Neo Hindi fittingly said, 'hans rahein hain par hansne jaisi koi baat nahin hai' (He is laughing but there is nothing to laugh about).

Another symbolic moment was when Sourav Ganguly was dismissed, losing the ball completely as it flattened his stumps. Usually we see a keeper jumping in elation whatever be the score or the situation. However, here Akmal just raised his hand, surprised that Ganguly was finally out! It was too good (or too late!) to be true.

Poor Pakistanis. Second time in succession they are faced with a score of over 600. Winning is out of question so they can only give a helpless smile. After losing their way so badly, the only challenge left for them is to give their best and see if they can prevent a 2-0 mauling.

Another problem they have is that they do not have too many left-handers. And only left-handers seem to be doing well in this match!

These Pakistanis do have the grit but miracles usually do not happen twice.

Akhtar Must Fire But.....

Media Watch -- Dec 6

Possibly the best captain Pakistan ever had, Imran Khan says in a column today that ‘’if Pakistan want to square this series, the man who simply must perform in Bangalore is Shoaib Akhtar.’’

With Pakistan taking just 13 wickets in last three Indian innings, Imran could not be more on target. Akhtar along with Yo-Yo are critical to Pakistan chances in the series.

In what promises to be his last Test series on the Indian soil, Akhtar will be eager to showcase his class but right now it looks that the speedster is toying more with the idea of bowling a maiden out (In a movie), than the Indian batsmen (on the field).

The glitch. Its money honey. As per a Hindustan Times report, he has been offered one crore, but Akhtar has been looking at a rather larger sum of 8 crore. This is something only the top five men command in Indian Movies. The Times of India has come up with the name of the movie as well. Predictably, it is Main aur Meri Himmat!.

Selection Tangle

Meanwhile, the lead story in all the papers today was selection tangle with many media reports describing the selection of 24 probables, just about two weeks before the Australian tour takes off, as an absurdity.

However, injuries to pacers and the fact that selectors are not still convinced about the opening partners of Jaffer were described as a major reason for the delay. According to an Indian Express report, quoting a top Board official, ‘’it is felt that since Vengsarkar's future as chairman is not clear, the finalizing of the tour party was delayed’’.

Chappell liked VRV

It needs courage to say so today but VRV has said it. ‘’After he took over, we had a bowlers’ camp and somehow he (Chappell) liked me,’’ says VRV.

‘’One thing is for sure, he did what he believed in. He believed in youth and we got a taste of international cricket,’’ says VRV in an interview to the Times of India, though he was sensible enough not to go into any controversial aspects of Chappell tenure.