In the cauldron of action

Legends in cricket are aplenty, but there aren't as many that have seen an Indian fast bowler lord over a rampaging opposition batsman. That the batsman was a Pakistan opener made things all the more sweeter!

Aamir Sohail was having a good tournament and playing against India in Bangalore in the quarter final had him all teed up! He would have been further geed up since he was the stand-in captain in the absence of Wasim Akram and Ajay Jadeja had led an attack that cost Pakistan 51 runs in 3 overs tilting the balance in India's favour.

Pakistan was going along at a fair clip with Sohail and Anwar punishing the Indian new ball attack of Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad. Their opening partnership had fetched 84 in double quick time and Pakistan was favourites to win. Even after Anwar fell, Sohail continued and in the crucial 15th over had Pakistan well over 100.

And that is when it happened! At best it can be described as a moment of indiscretion that cost Pakistan the match. But putting the blame solely on Sohail would be unfair. Prasad was trying his best but Sohail was winning the duel. Tempers were flying and after a slashing square cut that thudded into the boundary boards, Prasad gave Sohail a searching look. Not one to look away, Sohail appraised Prasad of the situation and pointed him to the boundary showing where the ball was and where he intended the next one would go.

But Prasad, the most genial and good-natured of medium pacers, did nothing untoward. He simply turned, walked back to the top of his run up and started to trot back in. It is worth noting that by now, Sohail was fuming and had no control over himself while Prasad was cool and collected as ever. Playing at his home ground in such a key match against your arch rivals is a big deal but Prasad was not showing it.

His next delivery was nothing special. It was maybe a yard quicker and straighter. Sohail tried to repeat the slash drive but this time, he missed the ball and the ball found the stumps. Shattered, they lay as testimony to the state of the Pakistan charge from there on. Normally the cool-headed one, Prasad allowed himself a momentary outburst to tell Sohail what he thought and where he should be going next! For this indiscretion, Prasad was reprimanded by the match officials, but one doubts if really cared about that.

A win for India followed and for all who witnessed a rare payback by an Indian fast bowler remains etched in memory. Even now it has the ability to give goosebumps!

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