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It’s a shame India and Pakistan didn’t fly into Jaipur with the series level. A close run-chase under lights at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, with the series at stake, would have been the perfect build-up to the Test series. A full-house is expected for Sunday’s dead rubber, but the spectators will have to settle for a less-than-full-strength India taking on Pakistan, who feel that a 2-3 score line will give them some confidence for the Tests.

Batting experiments

Misbah-ul-Haq said, on the eve of the final match, that Shahid Afridi’s promotion in Kanpur was because of a “slow wicket which looked like it would spin”. The ploy didn’t work, for Pathan opened the bowling for the first time in the series and bowled Afridi for 12. If the pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium appeared “normal”, Misbah said that Pakistan would play their “normal batting line-up”, which could mean either Akmal or Malik opening the innings. Malik looked solid while opening the innings in Gwalior, scoring 31 off 55 balls, but got out precisely when he was trying to accelerate.