The Pakistan pacemen held the ball across the seam while bowling in the morning session on day 3 of the Mohali Test. The act baffled many journalists.
Given the overcast conditions, the logical thing to do was give the ball every chance to swing in the air and off the wicket. Instead, the Pakistani bowlers tried to curb whatever swing they were getting.
The reason, revealed by Pakistan manager Saleem Altaf, is exceedingly foolish if nothing else.
"When England were here [India] last, Hoggard bowled with great rhythm and penetration. And he employed the cross-seam method very well. So the bowlers say they picked it up from him," said Altaf.
It makes one wonder about Inzamam-l Haq's captaincy credentials. Did he, as captain, not notice that Lakshmipathy Balaji, who claimed five wickets in Pakistan's first innings, used the seam to telling effect?
The basic thing to do was, at least, hold the seam in the normal manner for the first few overs and see how much swing was obtained. If you can't control it, then try something different.
Even if you do want to get inspired, why select someone like Matthew Hoggard, who isn't a great bowler by any standards? If you really want to learn wouldn't somebody like Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis be better role models?
It also points to another very important aspect. At the start of the tour, Inzamam mentioned that India has experience while Pakistan the youth. So what were the seniors of this side doing when they should have been guiding the youngsters?
It's all starting to go horribly wrong for Pakistan. And we are not even through four days of the first Test!
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