It was a shame that it all happened so far away from family, friends and his beloved supporters, against a team so weakened by racial politics, but that does not deflect from the glory of Murali’s achievement. He’s an astonishing performer and a truly great cricketer.Most of Sri Lanka, from Hambantota in the south to Jaffna in the north, waited nervously during that third day in Harare, willing Murali on to the landmark, knowing full well that he could not be denied his triumph, but nevertheless sweaty-palmed in eager anticipation.Murali’s teammates, all strong and loyal friends, were anxious too, eager to be the one to pick up the historic catch. They hovered around the bat, twitching and squawking like delighted children, for seven overs without reward, Murali growing ever so slightly tense.But Murali eventually broke through as Muleki Nkala prodded a bat-pad catch into the mitts of Mahela Jayawardene – who has recovered his catching mojo and put an appallingly butter-fingered Australia series behind him – and the celebrations started.Murali reacted with a mixture of ecstasy and relief. For years his eclipse of Courtney Walsh’s record has been talked about throughout the world. Murali has admitted that the constant chatter about records, and the enormous expectation that it placed upon his shoulders, was hard to bear.But, finally, he reached the cherished landmark. A pressure valve was immediately released and that can only help him become a more relaxed character and better bowler (yes, perhaps its hard to believe, but Murali is still getting better). He steps out into the unknown and who knows where it will all end: 700, 800, 900 or even 1000?It’s mind-boggling to consider just how many he could end up with. He reached the landmark after just 89 matches, that’s an incredible 43 fewer games than Walsh. Now just 32 years old, he expects to play for at three years and who is to stay that he won’t continue after that.Currently he averages approximately 6.7 wickets per Test match, although the wicket-taking pace has picked up since the perfecting of the doosra: during his last seven Tests he’s bagged 62 victims at an average of 8.8 wickets a match. Bear in mind, too, that that includes three games against the Aussies, the world champions.So, let’s assume that he plays for three years and plays approximately 12 Tests per annum, taking seven wickets per game. He then finishes with a final tally of 773. Even if he was not tempted to carry on, which surely he would be being so close to 800, he would have set a record that will be close to unbreakable.Some people – mostly Australian journalists, former players and umpires – would loathe the thought that Murali could not be surpassed. They would love nothing more than to see him hounded out of the game prematurely because of the ongoing chucking scandal over his doosra.But I’m afraid we have some bad news for them. Murali’s doosra will not only soon be declared legal, but it will be a cleaner bill of health than some of their own stars. In the short term, the ICC have said it must be shelved – because his arm straightens by 10 degrees rather than the permitted five – but before the yearend it should be given the greenlight.Moreover, biomechanical research is set to send shockwaves through world cricket and prove that many international bowlers, some of whom have apparently clean actions, straighten their arms more than 10 degrees. Muralitharan has been pulled up because his weird action looks suspicious but others hide their straightening better.This is perhaps unfair on Muralitharan, but he should not be too downcast. On the contrary, the developments in sports science provide him with a welcome opportunity to protect his reputation and the legacy he leaves. Had he been born ten years earlier then world opinion would have been forever spilt. The chucking cloud would have lingered on for eternity.But, thankfully, advances have been made. The ICC recognised the need for a change in 2002 after preliminary research red-flagged the potential problems ahead for the chucking law. In September 2003 thresholds were agreed after research on various types of bowlers.Since then further research has been completed and both Bruce Elliott and Marc Portus, the two leading biomechanics experts on this issue in Australia, are convinced that the thresholds must be increased, possibly even to 15 degrees.The issue will be discussed in Dubai this week by the ICC’s Cricket Committee, headed by Sunil Gavaskar, a pundit not noted for his fondness for Murali’s action. But while they may make recommendations for the ICC’s Executive Board meeting in June, no change to the law is expected until after the completion of previously planned research during the ICC Champions Trophy.During this period, Murali must discard his doosra and rely on his offspinner and topspinner, which goes straight but unlike the doosra does not nip away from righthanders. This, as some commentators have suggested, may actually be a good thing for his bowling, forcing him to return to a more attacking offstump line.Even if it does limit his productivity, Murali must be patient. The time for the doosra will come again and he must wait for the scientists to finish their research. After all, six months is a short period to wait for a decision that will free him from the chucking controversy for ever.

Scorecard

Kumar Sangakkara ravaged a largely inexperienced Northern Territory Chief Minister’s XI attack to score an unbeaten 163 at Darwin, as the Sri Lankans raced to 304 for 5 in only 72 overs. Opening the batting, Sangakkara made full use of a slow pitch, crashing 18 fours and a six in his 220-ball knock. A 134-run partnership between him and Sanath Jayasuriya set the tone after the Minister’s XI racked up 419 at four an over.But Jayasuriya’s departure for 64 started a mini-collapse, triggered by Anthony Dent, who then caught Mahela Jayawardene (4) off his own bowling. Thilan Samaraweera and Tillakaratne Dilshan followed shortly after, with only Sangakkara holding firm. At 182 for 4, he found a partner in Russel Arnold, who scored only 29, but more importantly added 99 with Sangakkara. Just as the partnership began to reach threatening proportions, Simon Katich trapped him in front. Romesh Kaluwitharana then played out the rest of the day for an unbeaten 15.Earlier, Darren Treumer scored 65 before his team succumbed to Lasith Malinga, who took two more wickets to finish with 6 for 90 in 25 overs. Malinga was devastating in his first outing in Sri Lankan colours, but had problems with extras, as did Farveez Mahroof and Dilhara Fernando. Between them, 34 extras were conceded. While one strike bowler performed well against a relatively strong batting line-up, a more renowned one had little impact. Glenn McGrath bowled 15 wicketless overs in what was more than just a practice game for him afte some lacklustre performances in Zimbabwe.But McGrath himself was satisfied with his performance: “That second spell today, that’s the best it [my action] has felt since I’ve been back. If I can put a few of those together I’ll be happy with that. That’s all I’m aiming to do at the moment.”

So much for that lack of a Plan B. Before the series, Brian Lara had spoken bullishly of England’s one-dimensional game plan, suggesting that Steve Harmison was their only source of wickets. But his words came back to haunt him on the final day of the Lord’s Test. By the time Ashley Giles had ripped a magnificent delivery through Lara’s gate and into middle stump, en route to his first five-wicket haul in England, West Indies were a busted flush and England were sauntering to their seventh victory in their last eight Tests, and seven in their last nine against the once-mighty Windies.The emergence of Giles as a genuine attacking option has been the revelation of this summer’s Test programme. He managed just two wickets in the entire series in the Caribbean, and was rumoured to be considering his future in the game, but for now, all his worries have been transferred onto the shoulders of the West Indians, who have had just two days to gather their wits and regroup ahead of tomorrow’s second Test at Edgbaston.The size of West Indies’ defeat – 210 runs – is a particular cause for concern, because if truth be told, England’s performance had considerable scope for improvement. There were, of course, some hugely noteworthy highlights – Giles’s haul, Michael Vaughan’s twin hundreds, Robert Key’s maiden double-century, and Andrew Strauss’s ongoing love-in at Lord’s – but other aspects of England’s game were less impressive. The two Joneses, Geraint and Simon, were disappointing by recent standards, and while Harmison was more than entitled to an off-day, it was unfortunate that the semi-fit Andrew Flintoff had to be relied on to paper over the cracks.For all the protestations of the England camp, Flintoff’s ankle continues to gnaw away at the current feelgood factor. Yesterday, the chief medical officer, Dr Peter Gregory, insisted that the injury was responding well to treatment, and today Vaughan warned that Flintoff could be expected to produce more overs than at Lord’s. But it can only be hoped that his galumphing bowling is called upon as little as possible this week. Given that Simon Jones is struggling with a bruised toe, England may opt to give James Anderson a first Test outing since December. Edgbaston is a venue that could favour swing bowling, and Anderson’s youthful eagerness to impress would add an extra zing to England’s attack.Mark Butcher, who suffered whiplash in a car accident last week, has already been ruled out of the match after aggravating a thigh strain – a development which spared the selectors a tricky decision, and ensured that Key did not become the second England cricketer after Geoffrey Boycott to be dropped after scoring a double-century. “I’d be disappointed to be dropped,” Key admitted to the BBC, “but Butcher deserves more than someone crashing into the back of him and missing out on a few Tests.”

Aside from Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s batting feats, West Indies had few positives to take from Lord’s. Tino Best and Fidel Edwards were living proof that speed without accuracy is an invitation to get pummelled, and it was left to the more level-headed Pedro Collins to show them the way with some coolly probing left-arm swing. It is highly probable that the newly arrived Corey Collymore will find a berth in the side as well. Collymore picked up a mere three wickets against England in the Caribbean, but he was hugely unlucky in his performances, and more often than not he played a vital holding role with his line-and-length approach.For Lara, tomorrow’s match is a return to the scene of one of his most memorable feats – his world-record 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994. “I have very good memories there,” he admitted, and certainly it has been a favoured venue on his two previous appearances there with West Indies. In 2000, they took an early lead in the series with an emphatic innings-and-93-run victory (Lara made 50), while five years before that, Courtney Walsh and Ian Bishop mugged England on an absolute minefield of a track, in a two-and-a-bit-day match where Robin Smith produced a mini-masterpiece with his second-innings 41 out of 89.Bishop was back on the attack yesterday, although this time it was the West Indians in his sights. “I don’t want to hear the excuse that this is an inexperienced side,” he told the Channel 4 website, adding that it was time for the team, and the captain in particular, to start taking responsibility for their results. “Lara’s record as captain is not very good and this is a tour that will determine whether he is the right person to lead the West Indies in the future.” Another defeat here, and the Wisden Trophy will be lost for another four years – it is fair to say that Lara knows only too well what is at stake tomorrow.England (probable) 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Andrew Strauss, 3 Robert Key, 4 Michael Vaughan (capt), 5 Graham Thorpe, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Matthew Hoggard, 10 Steve Harmison, 11 James Anderson.West Indies (probable) 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Devon Smith, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4 Brian Lara (capt), 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Dwayne Bravo, 7 Ridley Jacobs (wk), 8 Omari Banks, 9 Tino Best, 10 Pedro Collins, 11 Corey Collymore.

Stephen Fleming has brushed aside the criticism of his captaincy during the recent Test series in England. New Zealand were thrashed 0-3, but Fleming insisted that the blame lay with the bowlers, not his tactics.”I don’t think the captaincy was that bad, you are handicapped by the way the team goes – you live by the fluctuations of the team,” Fleming told the media on his return from England. “I was up for this Test series more than anything, it was just frustrating we couldn’t apply enough pressure. They were scoring too quickly. We worked bloody hard off the park to come up with combinations that would make us effective in the test series. Shane Bond was a big loss, he may have been able to cancel out [Stephen] Harmison.”The New Zealand selectors came in for plenty of flak for choosing to send only a 14-member squad – especially since there were question marks over the fitness of Bond and Daryl Tuffey even before the squad left for England – but Fleming tactfully refused to comment in the issue. “It’s an unfair question because I don’t have much to do with selection these days.”Fleming did admit, though, that he was worried about his team’s tendency to allow the opposition to chase down challenging fourth-innings totals. In their last seven Tests, New Zealand have failed to defend targets of 274, 234, 282 and 284.”We can’t brush it aside,” he said. “Whether it was a skill factor or a mental factor in England was discussed at length on tour and will be discussed at length again now that we are home, because there is a similar trait.”New Zealand may have come a cropper in the Tests, but they bounced back magnificently in the one-dayers, winning the NatWest Series quite handily. With the ICC Champions Trophy coming up in September, Fleming was obviously buoyed by that result. “We’re really looking forward to the ICC tournament. The match against Australia [in the tournament] is already being billed as the game of the tournament, so we are looking forward to it.”

Pakistan A 216 for 6 (Afridi 66, Misbah 64*) beat Kenya 215 (Modi 69, Ravindu 58) by 4 wickets
Scorecard

After a blazing start to the tournament, when they won two matches in a row, Kenya slumped to their second successive defeat, going down by four wickets to Pakistan A in Nairobi. Batting first, Kenya managed only 215, but that seemed enough as Pakistan A slipped to 82 for 5. However, a 109-run stand between Misbah-ul-Haq (64 not out) and Riaz Afridi (66) rescued the innings and gave them their first win of the tournament.The Kenyan innings got off to a wobbly start when Kennedy Obuya was caught behind off Iftikhar Anjum for a duck (3 for 1), but Ravindu Shah and Hitesh Modi put Kenya in the ascendancy with a 127-run partnership. Modi survived one chance, when he was dropped on 14 by Junaid Zia at third man, but he refused to allow the let-off to affect him, going for his strokes and running hard between the wickets.At 131 for 1 in the 29th over, Kenya were in charge, but things turned sour soon after, as Ravindu was caught in the covers off Qaiser Abbas for 58, and Steve Tikolo was bowled by Mansoor Amjad for a duck. Modi was then bowled by Naved Latif for 69, and though Thomas Odoyo resisted, making an unbeaten 39, Kenya could only manage 215.That looked like a winning total, as Odoyo and Martin Suji reduced Pakistan A to 36 for 4 by the 11th over. Latif and Misbah steadied the innings somewhat, but when Latif was trapped in front by Lameck Onyango for 38, Kenya were in sight of a second consecutive win against Pakistan A.Then came the matchwinning partnership between Afridi and Misbah. The Kenyans did have one chance to break the stand, but Onyango dropped Afridi at long-off. Afridi was finally bowled by Ongondo for 66, but Misbah ensured that Pakistan A got to their target without further alarms.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Sri Lanka waged a pitched battle on the last day, but could not hold backPakistan from achieving a series-levelling victory. Shoaib Malik held his nerve and guided Pakistan home after early wickets had been lost to sustained hostility by Chaminda Vaas and Rangana Herath. His unbeaten 53 sealed a game that had threatened to slip out of Pakistan’s grasp as the day went on, and shut the door on Sri Lanka’s hopes of lifting the trophy on their own. This triumph meant Pakistan had managed not to lose a home series to Sri Lanka for the first time since 1992.The road to 137 was anything but easy. Had one more wicket fallen, Sri Lankacould have pressed on for an improbable win. The top four had gone, and Inzamam-ul-Haq was hampered by a back problem. Moreover, the pitch helped bowlers and batting was difficult. Kumar Sangakkara dropped a hard chance off Abdul Razzaq’s bat when the score was 57 for 4. Razzaq went on to score 35, and his stand with Malik was worth 82 invaluable runs.The muff was the only mistake made by the Sri Lankan fielders on a day whencatches were taken and runs stopped with desperation. Following the lowerorder’s gumption in the morning session, Marvan Atapattu’s one-handed effortto dismiss Younis Khan exemplified the spirit with which they fought. Thebatsman drove Vaas airily and Atapattu, at mid-off, jumped towards the ball, plucking it out of the air with his left hand outstretched as he fell to the ground. Sri Lanka then bowled with renewed vigour, and gave the batsmen anxious moments.But while the effect of Atapattu’s action was electric, a power cut followedafter tea. Malik and Razzaq, no doubt spoken to by Inzamam and Bob Woolmerduring the break, went about collecting runs in an unflustered manner. Asvictory loomed they let loose, ending the game with a scoring sequence of 4,4, 4, 6, 0, 4 and 4.After Pakistan’s last home series victory against Sri Lanka 12 years ago, big defeats followed. A similar pattern threatened after the huge loss in the Faisalabad Test. But even without Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, Pakistan triumphed. There is a lesson here somewhere. The new bowlers bowled with discipline, if not incision, and Sri Lanka could only muster 208 on the first day. There on, it was all up to Pakistan. They did nearly everything right – the batsmen played responsibly, and they took a substantial lead. But then Sananth Jayasuriya got into one of his moods and murdered the bowlers. The lead was surpassed, but not by much, because Danish Kaneria mystified the Sri Lankans with his legbreaks and googlies. His 10 for 190 earned him the match award, and he won respect for his perseveranceThis morning he began with a wicket, when Farveez Maharoof theatrically played around a routine legbreak that spun into his stumps, sending commentators into raptures. Otherwise, Kaneria worked hard for every wicket, and ended with a rich haul. He fell short, though, as Vaas kept company with the last two wickets for two hours, an entire session. Naved-ul-Hasan removed the two, leaving Vaas stranded on 32, and giving Pakistan nearly two sessions to achieve their target.It should have been a waltz. But losing four wickets before half the target was achieved left Pakistan in danger of falling further. Herath had his tail up, and Vaas missed the stumps by a whisker a couple of times. However, runs to defend were scarce, and Pakistan were keen to avoid losing yet another home series to Sri Lanka. The joy of victory, when it came, was immediate, but the significance of not losing the series will settle in later.

Sri Lanka’s selectors have named a 20-man training pool for the forthcomingtour to New Zealand in December and January. The most notable absentees areRomesh Kaluwitharana and Avishka Gunawardene.Marvan Atapattu has not been reconfirmed as captain but his impressiveleadership during the past year means that he his eventual appointment isassured despite a fractious relationship with Asantha de Mel, the chairmanof the selectors.The identity of the likely vice-captain is less clear. Atapattu’s currentdeputy, Mahela Jayawardene, could be replaced despite a good year, on andoff the field, by Chaminda Vaas, who is apparently favoured by some membersof the current seven-man selection committee.Sri Lanka have selected their final touring squads from outside theirtraining pools in the past so Kaluwitharana’s fate is not sealed, but withhis 35th birthday fast approaching his international career could be overdespite a fifty in his last Test match.Gunawardene’s sacking had been on the cards after allegations of misconduct during the ICC Champions Trophy and his poor record away from home. His omission will provide an opportunity for Saman Jayantha to cement a place as Sanath Jayasuriya’s partner.Muttiah Muralitharan has not been named in the training pool having not yetrecovered sufficiently from his shoulder surgery, but, assuming hisMelbourne-based surgeon, Dr David Young, gives him the go-ahead next week,he will target a return in the latter part of the tour.Sri Lanka are due to play a five-match ODI series starting December 26followed by a two-Test series starting on January 19.Squad Marvan Atapattu (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chandana, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath, Saman Jayantha, Thilan Samaraweera, Thilina Kandamby, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Lasitha Malinga, Ian Daniel, Farveez, Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Jehan Mubarak, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk).

Ridley Jacobs, who experienced a whitewash at the hands of an overbearing South Africa in his very first series, has said he will hang up his boots at the end of the West Indian first-class season. However, if his injured knee acts up again – as it did earlier this summer – Jacobs said that he would reconsider his position.Jacobs, now aged 37, was a sprightly 31 when he made his Test debut for West Indies, two years after his first one-dayer, and has played in 65 Tests and 147 limited-over internationals. Only Jeff Dujon, among West Indian wicketkeepers, has played more in both forms of the game.”I think the upcoming season will be my last year in first-class cricket so I want to give it my best shot and come out on a high,” Jacobs said to the after he was selected in the Leeward Islands squad of 16 for the Carib Beer series. “Most definitely I am looking forward to playing with Leeward [Islands].”But Jacobs had concerns about his damaged knee, which caused him to miss the last two Tests in England. He did not participate in the Champions Trophy either, which West Indies eventually won. But he believed that the knee was “progressing very well”. He added: “It is giving me a little bit of pain, but nothing to the extent that will stop me from bending, running or things like that.”Jacobs got a chance to assess the problem when he played for an Antiguan XI against a West Indies women’s team recently. “After the match the knee felt OK because I did not feel any pain… so I guess it will hold up,” he said, before reflecting on the eventuality of any recurring pain. “If it holds up, I’ll play. But if not, I will just sit out the season.”

Simon Jones’s recall into the England one-dcay squad didn’t last long: he is to return home after Steve Harmison confirmed that he was close to full fitness and hopes to play in the third ODI of the current seven-match series against South Africa.Jones, 26, was not originally selected in the one-day squad, but was added – along with Matthew Hoggard – after Andrew Flintoff went home for an operation on his heel and Harmison suffered a calf strain.But now Harmison is almost fit again. He told Sky Sports: “I had a scan after the Test match. The diagnosis was that it was not any worse or any better, and we were told it would need ten days. It is progressing nicely, and with a bit of luck I will be fit for [Friday’s match at] Port Elizabeth.”He explained how the problem had affected him when he bowled: “I just struggled for the first four or five balls – it was uncomfortable. But once I got loose and moving it was not too bad. It was worse in the field really – I was a bit of a lame duck out there.”

Readers respond to Sambit Bal’s Indian View article “Can India match Pakistan’s grace and hospitability?”:I firmly believe that fair articles and journalists will reach beyond the borders to the hearts of the people. The key lies in their hands. I vividly remember the Test series of 1978, when India toured Pakistan, under Bedi. Not because Pakistan won, but because Bedi responded to an appeal for blood to a young child who was suffering from leukaemia. I was 14 then. Petty politicians won’t be petty politicians if they did not take advantage of such extremist sentiments, as they do now. It applies to both sides of the border. My belief is that no doubt India can and will reciprocate with the kind of hospitality it is capable of.Tahir KhanLast year Pakistan had realised one thing, that the tour was more than just about who wins. It was more than cricket. It was a celebration of a life, friendship, and most importantly peace. The warmth of love during and after that tour were felt all across the world, and people who never knew cricket, eg in a country like USA, were talking about it. Let us hope and pray that the celebration of love continues.Omar KhanThe article symbolises the feelings of the cricket fans of India who whole-heartedly want to reciprocate how Pakistan treated Indian cricketers. This is not impossible as fans of Chepauk in Chennai showed how gracious Indians can be in defeat by the standing ovation that Wasim Akram’s team got. It is just a question of holding back our emotions in control. It can be done, and our neighbours deserve it this time than ever before.ParthaI have absolute faith that Indian people will reciprocate the same good gesture, however I also believe that political interests and fanatics will make every effort to fail the process. The media has huge responsibility to highlight the good feelings and good traditions, whether it’s in “basant”, cricket or hockey. I am sure the time will come when mass positive response will force the evils to rethink of their agenda.Arslan HaiderPeople of Karachi, and it would be safe to say that 50% of the city’s population has an Indian background, were deprived from the India tour of Pakistan. It was very dissapointing to see Karachi left off the tour, just becasue some idiots were making noise and labelled the city as a security risk, and deprived the city of probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Similarly, why should all of Ahmedabad suffer because of a small group. I think the Indian government should be able to put a clamp on not just this group. The sooner everyone realises that the South Asian coutries have a lot more to gain by accepting each other the better off the subcontinent will be.Imran MallickWhile Mr Bal’s remarks regarding the hospitality accorded to the Indian team are valid, it would have also been worth pointing out the spontaneous and generous sentiment that the spectators in Chennai showed to the victorious Pakistani team in the Test in February 1999. That India lost by a mere 12 runs in an excruciatingly close match did not prevent the Chennai spectators (I was one of them) to get on their feet and accord a standing ovation to the Pakistan team, to the astonishment of all. The Pakistan team was effusive in its praise of this unprecedented sporting gesture. It’s worth reminding all that despite concerns now over the imminent tour, the past track record of India as hosts is not all that embarrassing.K ChandramouliI am a Pakistani and we were among the supporters who supported both nations fully, and cheered every four irrespective of if it was played by Inzamam or Dravid, because we didn’t wanted to miss this chance of cheering the best cricket played in this part of the world. We have been missing this for years, both nations love this game and we respect this.Aurangzaib ChawlaTo expect the BCCI, a group of dollar-fixated, turnstile-obsessed politicos, to understand the subtler cultural elements of Pakistan-India ties is to expect too much. Those charlatans need to be kept far away from the permanent celebration that is Pakistan-India. This official Indian establishment is far too complacent, far too arrogant, far too obtuse, for the good of the game at home. Cricket is far too important to be left to the BCCI.Rahul GoswamiMy views are we can. But like India’s tour to Pak, it has to have the right political atmosphere. The tour last time was set in motion with the words “Match bhi jeeto aur dil bhi jeeto”. This should happen with this tour too. Welcome Pakistan, we Indians welcome you in right earnest …SrinathSambit’s words were profoundly heartwarming, and if the same spirit can be reciprocated in India during the Pakistan tour, it will go a long way in cementing the ties of two sister nations, that had gone astray in the sea of bitterness for more than 55 years. We can become a beacon of hope for a world that is presently in total disarray, and human values have been set aside, in favor of parochial bickering and differences.Yusuf MohamedI have never before felt as strong an urge to write to Cricinfo as today. The write-up about Pakistan’s forthcoming India tour was both enlightening and disturbing at the same time. It forced me step back and take a broader view of things, beyond just cricket or politics. Indeed, it’s articles like these that keep us readers coming back for more!AbhishekI believe that one day our two countries will once again be whole, not in geographical terms but in spirit. This however can only be achieved through mutual understanding and this great game of cricket. I am a pro golfer, and I travel all over the world and when an Indian and Pakistani meet abroad they are like brothers – all the animosity comes not from the general public but from greedy politicians who feed the common man nothing but hatred.Daniel ChopraThe phrase has lost its meaning by now, but let’s not mix politics and sports. Adnan Sami is as popular in India as he is in Pakistan, so was Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Pakistani players are playing for the newly launched PHL. Then why should cricket, the second religion to our nation, take a setback? Let’s hope we can reciprocate the hospitality shown by Pakistan last year and roll out the red carpet for our guests. After all, aren’t we the nation which believes “Guests are Gods”?Raj PutatundaBeing a Pakistani, I really feel proud and happy from these sort of words from an Indian. Thanks a lot and I also hope that India does the same as well when Pakistan goes there.Sohail IqbalIndia has to look beyond just cricket. They have to embrace the Pakistani fans like they would do to “long-lost brothers”. They must accept defeat if Team India is beaten … just like the Pakistanis did. Remember, there were no media reports of houses been stoned or effigies burnt after Pakistan lost the last ODI. Also, the Pakistani fans showed new found maturity after their team lost the first Test. This was because the Pakistan cricketers gave their all in defeat. Now, if Team India can perform with dignity and fight to the last ball, maybe the fans will also mature and not give in to negative emotional outbursts. The voices of Shiv Sena and other parties against Indo-Pakistan ties must be drowned out by Indian fans chanting Inzi, Inzi or Rana, etc. Indian fans must applaud good cricket by any player, not only their own ones.Mahendra NaidooI was very disappointed when I came to know that India were not playing a Test match in Karachi during its tour to Pakistan last year. Therefore the PCB and the Indian board must replan the schedule and give a Test to Ahmedabad, because it is now their turn. We Karachi-ites can understand the feelings of Ahmedabadis.Tariq