Story Sharjah Cup FINAL - India VS Pakistan

[ashu2411]

Australia finally got a partnership going as Katich and Symonds added 43 quick runs in just 7 overs and took the score to 131/5 in 23 overs.

Katich played some superb shots during his inning in all corners of ground, which included cut shots, cover drives and on drives. Katich looked very aggressive against all bowlers especially spinners and beautiful used his feet to smash them around and quickly reached to 42 off just 29 deliveries which included 8 boundaries. Symonds on the other end concentrated mainly on giving strike to Katich but also hooked Pathan for two lovely boundaries.

For India all bowlers struggled to control Katich except Harbhajan who gave only 20 runs off his 6 overs, rest all went for more then six per over. Yuvraj was also given some beating after his miraculous first over.

This partnership is looking very dangerous for India as Australia now looks to fight back hard.

 

[aussie1st]

Aussies off to a flyer just the loss of 5 wickets is a worry. Big partnership needed from Symonds and Katich.

 

[Bala]

Got to break this partnership ASAP. The run rate is a bit high for comfort.

 

[ashu2411]

Symonds Gone but Katich reached 50​

AUSTRALIA 161/6 IN 30 OVERS​

Once again Australia loosing a wicket when they started to look comfortable. This time Symonds was clean bowled by a beautiful inswinging yorker which Symonds completely missed. I must say it was the only good delivery bowled by Balaji today. Australia lost its sixth wicket for 142 and India will be looking to wrap up Aussies inning before 200 but Katich is the main obstacle in this. Watson is the new batsmen on the crease.

In the mean time Katich get to his half century of a single to Pathan. His 50 took 41 deliveries and it included 8 shots to the boundary. Balaji after initial struggle got full control of his line and length after Symonds wicket and bowled his heart out by continuously beating the bat and putting breaks on scoring rate. So at the end of 30 overs, Australia is 161/6 and is still maintaining a very good run rate with Katich playing a superb knock on 58. Watson on the other end has also started to look comfortable now on 6.

 

[aussie1st]

Katich needs to stay in as he is the key now. If he goes Aus are in real trouble.

 

[sachinisgod2]

Good inning by Katich but India is still in control.

 

[ashu2411]

Do you guys like my presentation or I need to change something? Do tell me.

 

[aussie1st]

Looks good to me.

 

[MWaugh]

nah ashu mate your doing a great job. go the aussies

 

[amitbansal]

lovely stuff buddy.

 

[m_vaughan]

Excellent run rate still being maintained. Katich really played well.

 

[ashu2411]

Thanks for all your support guys. Update on Australian inning shortly.

 

[ashu2411]

Australia 174/6 in 33 overs​

Katich even after his half century, continued to play well and sensibly without trying anything rash. Watson on the other end also gave him good support as Australia once again stabilised their inning with a seventh wicket partnership of 32 runs and reached to 174/6 in 33 overs with Katich still playing well on 64.

 

[Bala]

Katich is all set to take the game away from India. Come on the Men in Blue.

 

[ashu2411]

Australia 204/6 after 40 overs​

Now only last 17 overs were left and Indian bowlers now decided to control the run rate and try to dry down runs which would put pressure on both Aussies especially Katich who was playing really well. As a result now they set up a very defensive field with Sachin and harbhajan in operation.

Both Australian batsmen kept their calm as they looked determine to bat the whole inning and attack only in last few overs. Indians bowled well but Katich and Watson continued dealing in singles frustrating Indians all the way. Although the run rate was dropped considerably but still Australia looked to head towards a comfortable total with this pair completing a 50 run partnership.

After 40 overs, Australia reached 204/6 with Katich looking extremely good on 78 and Watson also in 20s. The partnership for 7th wicket is now 62 runs. Its now last 10 overs of the inning which will be very crucial for both the teams. Australia will be looking for a blast with 4 wickets still in hand and India will be hoping to contain Aussies with few quick wickets. So very interesting period of play remaining now.