The contest is wide open

The Bangalore Test promises to be one the most open contests in an India-Pakistan series in a very long time.

After the Kotla Test, India certainly held the upper hand and that continued into the third day of the second Test at Kolkata. Thereafter, however, Pakistan have managed to fight their way back into the series.

In fact, the two teams are grappling with the same issues, call them problems if you like.

Both Pakistan and India have very strong batting line-ups, but unfortunately not the bowling to back that up.

I think the Kolkata Test was a perfect illustration of that, but more of that later. Having salvaged the last Test through an honourable draw, and given the recent history of Test matches between Pakistan and India at Bangalore, I would have expected Pakistan to at least hold an edge.

Twice in the last two series, these teams have reached this venue with India winning the previous Test, both times at Kolkata.

Both times, the hosts have gone on to lose.

However, much as I would love to see Pakistan win here and square the series, I also have my doubts.

The reason, as I mentioned briefly earlier, is the lack of bowling options available to their captain, Younis Khan. With Umar Gul returning home, Shoaib Akhtar has been the only one carrying the attack to the Indians.

Unless the disappointing Mohammad Sami, Sohail Tanvir and Danish Kaneria gear up, I fear this is the situation that will carry on and prevail even in Bangalore as well.

The batting is finally beginning to look good with Salman Butt, Younis and Mohammad Yousuf adding to the runs.

Misbah-ul Haq and Kamran Akmal have also contributed to the score, so on that count at least, Pakistan have few worries. What will still be bothering them is the prospect of bowling India out twice.

Right from the time we have landed here, the bowlers have not been able to deliver. If you remember, in the ODIs as well, India scored heavily, once going past the 300-mark.

On the two occasions Pakistan won, it was largely because of their batsmen who were able to overtake the Indian total. If Pakistan have to make a push to level the series, that trend will have to be reversed.

Also, what Pakistan need is a well-coordinated effort. They have been batting reasonably well. Now the bowling and fielding must also come up to that level.

Things need to click in the Pakistan ranks between bat and ball. That is the only way they will be able to get at the Indians.

One more factor favours Pakistan. India are suddenly without their two main seam bowlers, Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel. Irfan Pathan has not played Test cricket for some time now while the other two are absolutely new.

I also hear that Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni may not be playing.

These are encouraging signs for Pakistan — may be India’s Bangalore jinx is still at work here — but then Younis Khan’s team have to put together that sort of a spectacular performance to win this important game.

Finally, a word on the Pakistan captain. I am glad he has agreed to lead once again despite having issues with the management.

The last time these two teams played here, Younis got a big hundred, 250-plus if I remember rightly, so he will go into this match in a comfortable frame of mind.