Even the most boring Test match is preferable to an ODI that goes down to the final over. Even those Tests that are meandering to predictable draws have so many subplots and mini-dramas that they are vastly preferable to the shorter version of the game. Think of such matches (most Tests played in the subcontinent fit the bill) as cricket’s version of Quentin Tarantino movies. You don’t watch his movies for the predictable master plots or derivative storylines. It’s the snatches of inspired dialogue, the sudden shifts in focus and the beauty of his direction that make his movies so thrilling, if ultimately unsatisfying.

The Sri Lanka-India Test that ended today was definitely a Tarantino Test. As it crawled towards its predictable end, there were still many moments to cherish. The return of triumphant villian Sreesanth, the struggles of Murali, Gambhir’s ascent; all kept the Test from getting too dull.

The New Zealand-Pakistan Test, though, was directed by Robert Altman, and truly is the best Test cricket has to offer. Mohammad Aamer’s first-ball wicket set the plot, then 21 other players vied for the spotlight, constantly talking over each other.

The leading men were a pair of brothers that defy description. Cricket’s most celebrated siblings, Mark and Steve Waugh, were stereotyped early in their careers and rarely stepped out of character. Mark was flamboyant, elegant and charismatic but just a little bit flaky; Steve the rock of the Australian team who compensated for his shortcomings by being the most reliable man around.

It would be easy to tag Umar Akmal in the Mark role and Kamran Akmal as Steve. Now that Inzi has retired, Kamran is our go-to guy in a crisis. Already, he has played two innings against India that rank among the finest in Pakistan’s Test history; one that set up an unlikely win, the other salvaged an impossible draw. Umar, to the extent that we can draw conclusions from a handful of ODIs and one Test innings, is more technically adept and more stylish. He has also shown a tendency to play loose shots in critical situations, as he did against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy semi (ignore for now that he was the victim of a horrible decision).

But where Steve Waugh buried his emotions while playing, Kamran may have been happier than his kid brother when Umar reached his century. And Kamran’s delight may have been responsible for the ungainly shot he played to Vettori when he looked set for a century of his own.

The Test is evenly poised with just one day to go. But even a washout on the final day will do nothing to detract from the beauty of Test cricket.