THOUGHTS ON DAY 1 of the 2ND TEST MATCH, PAKISTAN v INDIA at Lahore

A day that produced quite a bit of the unexpected. First up, the selection of Asim Kamal at the very last minute as a replacement for Abdul Razzak who apparently cried off claiming injury raised a few eyebrows. Razzak at the age of 24 or so is a primary example of how Pakistani cricketers of immense promise and ability fail to improve and subsequently achieve their potential. Three years ago Razzak was the envy of the cricketing community - a budding all rounder of immense potential who could turn matches with his incisive and lively swing bowling or his explosive batting. At the age of 21 he seemed to have a glittering career ahead of him yet three years later he seems to be a shadow of his former self. Razzak's bowling has lost its swing as well as the little pace that he possessed and now he is one of those bowlers a good batsman can play with his eyes shut. There is no sting or venom or aggression left in Razzak's bowling and though he may have cried off due to his skippers recent public blasting of his "star pace bowlers" the team may actually be stronger for his omission the way he is bowling at present. Razzak still possesses the talent to concentrate on his batting and if he had the determintation he could end up becoming a reliable and important member of the batting line up as Imran Khan was in the last three or four years of his career when his bowling was falling away. The sad contrast is that while Imran was 35 and still a potent bowling force, Razzak is yet to turn 25 and already looks like a "has been".

Danish Kaneria's selection was expected though he didn't look particularly penetrive or dangerous. Sami had a wretched day and his confidence is at a very low ebb at the moment and Shoaib Akhtar seemed to struggle and his lack of athleticism is really showing through at the moment. He needs to be in peak fitness and like most of the Pakistan team, his fitness levels are far from 100%.

Fitness is another area where the Pakistan team is living in the dinosauric age with the theory that "we are so talented that we dont need to practice or work on our physical fitness" and thus you have players breaking down with alarming regularity and this will continue to happen until we get our act together and the players (if ever) decide that they actually do wish to improve as professional sportsmen.

Kamran Akmal was exuberant behind the stumps and made a spectacular take or two but tellingly he spilled an important chance offered during the crucial Yuvraj - Pathan partnership and appeared as though he was more interested in making another spectacular looking take rathen than concentrating on catching the wretched thing. Akmal must concentrate on keeping rather than posing if he is to make the grade. Yet, there was a spring in his step which poor Moin Khan had lost about three years ago.

Moin has been a brilliant servent of Pakistani cricket over the years - a rare one who has worked on his game and improved over the years - however age catches up with everyone and Moin's day may well have come and gone. He should be feted as a shining example of the type of spirit and attitude that one wishes every Pakistani cricketer would play with. If only the rest of the team played with even half of his spirit and desire...Moin Khan was (is) definitely one of the good guys and one hopes that his services to Pakistan cricket are not forgotten.

For India, the batsmen looked a little bemused once the ball started moving off the seam just a bit. Laxman appeared all at sea and Sehwag always offers the bowler a chance outside the off stump the way he carves away with such abandon in that region. Umar Gul truly did show up his famous senior partners in the pace attack and Shabbir may have a tough time reclaiming his spot especially after his dismal effort in the field in addition to his totally toothless bowling in Multan. Yuvraj Singh played quite beautifully once he settled down and is coming of age in a very pleasing way for the Indian selectors. Here is a batsman who has truly turned the corner over the last six months with a successful tour of Australia where he scored a magnificent One Day 100 and carried on his form into the domestic season scoring a century each in the regional Finals. With his innings yesterday Yuvraj has undelined himself as one of the brightest upcoming stars in the game - and fortunately, a hugely attractive batsman to watch with a delightful array of fluent strokes. Speaking of rising stars, can anyone have caught the scene more than young Irfan Pathan who is simply a most naturally brilliant young cricketer bursting with talent. He has been the revelation of the tour so far displaying a remarkable talent and potential to become the finest all-rounder of the post Imran-Botham-Kapil era. What is also evident is that the young lad is striving to learn and to absorb from the experience around him and with such a work ethic as he is displaying, greatness looms. He bowled quite beautifully yesterday and his batting was beautifully correct and brimming with potential. India have unearthed a true gem of the highest calibre in Irfan Pathan despite Miandad's claim (and wishful thinking?) that such cricketers "can be found on every street in Pakistan". If only!

The match is interestingly poised...........Pakistan's highly brittle batting is to be put to the test by a probing and disciplined attack and though conditions should strongly favour batting, a batting bellyflop could certainly materialize. Imran Farhat didn't look all that secure last night and Yasir Hameed was very fortunate to survive.

A fascinating day in prospect today..........pity that the crowds have decided to stay away thus depriving the match of some much needed atmosphere.