Anil Kumble raised visions of a dramatic Indian victory with a five-wicket haul before Pakistan managed to escape with a draw in the third and final Test here on Wednesday. The veteran leg-spinner grabbed 5-60 with shrewd variations on a wearing track as Pakistan finished at 162-7 in fading light chasing an improbable 374-run target off 48 overs on the fifth and final day. The Kumble-led India clinched the Test series 1-0 after winning the opening match by six wickets in New Delhi and drawing the next two in Kolkata and here.
It was India's first Test series triumph against Pakistan at home in more than two decades, the last success coming in 1980 under Sunil Gavaskar. India needed the last three wickets when bad light thwarted their incredible victory bid. Mohammad Yousuf (10) and tailender Mohammad Sami (four) were the unbeaten batsmen with 12 overs remaining. According to the playing conditions, both the teams had agreed that artificial lights would not be used in the series. There was no hint of collapse when Pakistan were 144-3 in the 32nd over following a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket between Faisal Iqbal (51) and in-form Misbah-ul-Haq (37).
But Kumble virtually turned the match upside-down when he dismissed Iqbal and Kamran Akmal off successive deliveries in front of his cheering home fans on a day when team-mate Sourav Ganguly missed out on a rare landmark. It was the second time the spinner had grabbed two wickets in an over, having earlier removed opener Yasir Hameed (39) and stand-in captain Younis Khan. Kumble was brilliantly backed by part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh, who celebrated his 26th birthday by removing Misbah and debutant Yasir Arafat as Pakistan lost four wickets for 10 runs in a dramatic collapse.
A dull draw looked on the cards when India declared their second innings closed at 284-6 an hour after the lunch-break. But Kumble enlivened the proceedings by striking in quick succession to push Pakistan on the verge of defeat with his 34th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings. Ganguly's march towards to a rare feat and Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's duel with the batsmen were the only talking points in the first two sessions. Former captain Ganguly fell nine runs short of becoming the seventh batsman to score a double-century and a hundred in a Test.
The left-hander, who cracked a maiden double-ton in the first innings, was dismissed for 91 after an impressive exhibition of strokeplay. Ganguly looked set to join the elite club in his 99th Test before uppishly driving fast bowler Mohammad Sami to Iqbal, who took a smart catch at gully. But he had completed 1,000 runs in a calendar year at that stage. Australians Doug Walters and Greg Chappell, West Indies' Lawrence Rowe and Brian Lara, Gavaskar and England's Graham Gooch are other batsmen to have scored a double-century and a hundred in the same Test.
Showing posts with label India Pakistan Test Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India Pakistan Test Series. Show all posts
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
India poised to end long wait - Day 5
Misbah-ul-Haq relished India's attack with a second successive century to boost Pakistan's hopes of forcing a draw in the third and final Test here on Tuesday. The middle-order batsman followed his second-Test 161 with a brilliant 133 not out as Pakistan warded off a threat of follow-on to post 537 in their first innings in reply to India's 626.
India were strongly placed to clinch their first Test series against Pakistan at home since 1980 after reaching 131-2 in their second innings at stumps on the penultimate day for an overall lead of 220. The hosts lead 1-0 in the series, with the final Test heading for a draw. India lost openers Gautam Gambhir (three) and Wasim Jaffer (18) before former captains Sourav Ganguly (63 not out) and Rahul Dravid (35 not out) steadied the innings with an unfinished 105-run stand for the third wicket.
Ganguly, who smashed a maiden Test double-hundred in the first innings, raced to his half-century off 57 balls with a six off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and nine fours. The hosts needed a couple of early wickets in the morning to raise victory hopes after Pakistan had resumed at 369-5, but had to wait for two sessions to wrap up the innings on a track where the ball sometimes kept low. India also earned a dubious distinction of conceding a record 76 extras in a Test innings, surpassing the previous highest of 71 by the West Indies against Pakistan at Georgetown in 1988.
India were strongly placed to clinch their first Test series against Pakistan at home since 1980 after reaching 131-2 in their second innings at stumps on the penultimate day for an overall lead of 220. The hosts lead 1-0 in the series, with the final Test heading for a draw. India lost openers Gautam Gambhir (three) and Wasim Jaffer (18) before former captains Sourav Ganguly (63 not out) and Rahul Dravid (35 not out) steadied the innings with an unfinished 105-run stand for the third wicket.
Ganguly, who smashed a maiden Test double-hundred in the first innings, raced to his half-century off 57 balls with a six off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and nine fours. The hosts needed a couple of early wickets in the morning to raise victory hopes after Pakistan had resumed at 369-5, but had to wait for two sessions to wrap up the innings on a track where the ball sometimes kept low. India also earned a dubious distinction of conceding a record 76 extras in a Test innings, surpassing the previous highest of 71 by the West Indies against Pakistan at Georgetown in 1988.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Misbah-ul-Haq's fighting ininings boost Pak chances of avoiding a follow-on
Pakistan rode on Misbah-ul-Haq's fighting half-century to boost their chances of avoiding a follow-on in the third and final Test against India here on Monday. The tourists were 369-5 in their first innings at stumps on the third day in reply to India's mammoth 626, needing just 58 more runs to avert the follow-on. Misbah (54 not out) and Kamran Akmal (32 not out), who made centuries in a similar situation in the previous Test at Kolkata, rallied Pakistan with an unfinished 81-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Pakistan were in trouble at 288-5 before Misbah and Akmal denied India further success with their responsible knocks. Misbah has so far struck eight fours in his second half-century. India also made a dubious record of conceding 70 extras, their previous highest being 60 against England in 1979.The hosts lead 1-0 in the series following their six-wicket win in the opening Test in New Delhi. The second match ended in a draw. Pakistan were strongly placed at 221-2 before stand-in captain Younis Khan was bowled attempting a reverse-sweep off spinner Harbhajan Singh, starting a slide that saw his team lose three crucial wickets in the space of 67 runs.
Younis, leading the team in a second successive Test in the absence of unfit Shoaib Malik, batted confidently during his 156-ball 80 before he fell playing one reverse-sweep too many. He had played the same shot with success on a couple of occasions in the morning session but missed the line this time off Harbhajan, bowling round the stumps. He struck 12 fours in his 20th half-century.
Younis, who scored a match-saving hundred in the previous Test, propped up the innings with a 90-run stand for the second wicket with Salman Butt (68) and 72 for the next with Mohammad Yousuf (24). After the reverse-sweep came a poor stroke that led to the dismissal of Yousuf, who uppishly drove left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan to Yuvraj Singh at point a few deliveries after exchanging words with India skipper Anil Kumble. Pakistan threw away two vital wickets just when Younis, seven overnight, and Yousuf looked set to play long innings on a track which had little for seamers and spinners even on the third day. The Indian captain kept changing his bowlers but the next success came with the second new ball, with inexperienced Ishant Sharma making amends for a below-par performance by removing Faisal Iqbal.
Seamer Sharma, playing only his second Test, struck in his third over with the new ball when he surprised Iqbal (22) with extra bounce to have him caught by Gautam Gambhir at short-leg. India struggled for success in the morning on a placid track as Younis batted comfortably against both pace and spin to help his team add 94 to their overnight total of 86-1.
Pakistan were in trouble at 288-5 before Misbah and Akmal denied India further success with their responsible knocks. Misbah has so far struck eight fours in his second half-century. India also made a dubious record of conceding 70 extras, their previous highest being 60 against England in 1979.The hosts lead 1-0 in the series following their six-wicket win in the opening Test in New Delhi. The second match ended in a draw. Pakistan were strongly placed at 221-2 before stand-in captain Younis Khan was bowled attempting a reverse-sweep off spinner Harbhajan Singh, starting a slide that saw his team lose three crucial wickets in the space of 67 runs.
Younis, leading the team in a second successive Test in the absence of unfit Shoaib Malik, batted confidently during his 156-ball 80 before he fell playing one reverse-sweep too many. He had played the same shot with success on a couple of occasions in the morning session but missed the line this time off Harbhajan, bowling round the stumps. He struck 12 fours in his 20th half-century.
Younis, who scored a match-saving hundred in the previous Test, propped up the innings with a 90-run stand for the second wicket with Salman Butt (68) and 72 for the next with Mohammad Yousuf (24). After the reverse-sweep came a poor stroke that led to the dismissal of Yousuf, who uppishly drove left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan to Yuvraj Singh at point a few deliveries after exchanging words with India skipper Anil Kumble. Pakistan threw away two vital wickets just when Younis, seven overnight, and Yousuf looked set to play long innings on a track which had little for seamers and spinners even on the third day. The Indian captain kept changing his bowlers but the next success came with the second new ball, with inexperienced Ishant Sharma making amends for a below-par performance by removing Faisal Iqbal.
Seamer Sharma, playing only his second Test, struck in his third over with the new ball when he surprised Iqbal (22) with extra bounce to have him caught by Gautam Gambhir at short-leg. India struggled for success in the morning on a placid track as Younis batted comfortably against both pace and spin to help his team add 94 to their overnight total of 86-1.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Ganguly-Pathan fireworks, Pakistan under pressure - Day 2
Sourav Ganguly and Irfan Pathan posted career-best knocks as India showed their batting prowess to put Pakistan under pressure in the third and final Test here on Sunday. Ganguly cracked an elegant 239 for a maiden Test double-century and Pathan marked his comeback with an explosive 102 for a first hundred to help India pile up a mammoth 626 in their first innings. Pakistan made a strong reply as they reached 86-1 at stumps on the second day.
Salman Butt was unbeaten with an aggressive 50 and stand-in captain Younis Khan with seven. They still need 341 more runs to avoid a follow-on. Left-handed Butt swept leg-spinner Anil Kumble for a ninth four to reach his half-century.
It was India's highest total against Pakistan at home, beating the previous best of 616-5 declared in the second Test of the current series at Kolkata. Left-handed Ganguly and Pathan put the Pakistani attack to the sword with thrilling strokeplay on a good batting track, adding 178 for the seventh wicket to ensure the tourists bat under the threat of a follow-on.
Ganguly, 125 overnight, reached his double-hundred in the afternoon when he drove Arafat through the covers for two runs. His previous best was 173 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai in 1997. Lower-order batsman Pathan, 23, went on the rampage in his first Test in more than a year as he smashed four sixes and 10 fours in his 133-ball knock.
Pakistan were a bowler short as paceman Shoaib Akhtar was unable to resume bowling after being off the field for more than a session on Saturday due to back pain. He was not given a single over even when he became eligible to bowl. Younis was left with only three specialist bowlers but seamers Mohammad Sami and Arafat, and Kaneria were ineffective on an unhelpful wicket. Ganguly and Pathan made the most of the conditions, reducing the Pakistani bowlers and fielders to a state of helplessness during their big partnership.
Salman Butt was unbeaten with an aggressive 50 and stand-in captain Younis Khan with seven. They still need 341 more runs to avoid a follow-on. Left-handed Butt swept leg-spinner Anil Kumble for a ninth four to reach his half-century.
It was India's highest total against Pakistan at home, beating the previous best of 616-5 declared in the second Test of the current series at Kolkata. Left-handed Ganguly and Pathan put the Pakistani attack to the sword with thrilling strokeplay on a good batting track, adding 178 for the seventh wicket to ensure the tourists bat under the threat of a follow-on.
Ganguly, 125 overnight, reached his double-hundred in the afternoon when he drove Arafat through the covers for two runs. His previous best was 173 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai in 1997. Lower-order batsman Pathan, 23, went on the rampage in his first Test in more than a year as he smashed four sixes and 10 fours in his 133-ball knock.
Pakistan were a bowler short as paceman Shoaib Akhtar was unable to resume bowling after being off the field for more than a session on Saturday due to back pain. He was not given a single over even when he became eligible to bowl. Younis was left with only three specialist bowlers but seamers Mohammad Sami and Arafat, and Kaneria were ineffective on an unhelpful wicket. Ganguly and Pathan made the most of the conditions, reducing the Pakistani bowlers and fielders to a state of helplessness during their big partnership.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Third Test : Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani bowling attack - Day 1
Yuvraj Singh and Sourav Ganguly hammered explosive centuries to lead India's fightback in the third and final Test against Pakistan here on Saturday. Yuvraj celebrated his comeback with a career-best 169 and Ganguly scored a fluent unbeaten 125 as an injury-hit India recovered from a horror morning session to post 365-5 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day.
India were wobbling at 61-4 after winning the toss on a good batting track before left-handers Yuvraj and Ganguly restored their team's fortunes with a 300-run stand for the fifth wicket. The partnership was the highest for the fifth wicket in Tests between the two countries, surpassing the previous best of 213 set by Pakistanis Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar at Karachi in 1982. Debutant seamer Yasir Arafat jolted India with three important wickets in a tight seven-over opening spell before his side ran into Yuvraj and Ganguly, who counter-attacked to steer their team to safety.
It was one-day specialist Yuvraj's third Test century - all against Pakistan - and Ganguly's 15th, including a second successive ton against the tourists following his 102 in the previous match. Pakistan also suffered a stroke of misfortune when ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar walked off the field after bowling two overs in the afternoon. He was taken to hospital with back pain. Pakistan's team management said the fast bowler's condition would be assessed on Sunday morning before any decision was taken. "I was nervous when we were 61-4. I have never been a confident starter in Test cricket. It gives me shivers because it's a different ball game," said Yuvraj, playing only his 20th Test since his international debut in 2000. "I feel bad sitting out, but it's not easy to replace Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ganguly and Venkatsai Laxman in the middle order. "I was disappointed to get out. I should have got a double-century, but I am happy I pulled my team out of trouble."
Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani attack in the last two sessions with a wide range of attacking shots all round the wicket.
India were wobbling at 61-4 after winning the toss on a good batting track before left-handers Yuvraj and Ganguly restored their team's fortunes with a 300-run stand for the fifth wicket. The partnership was the highest for the fifth wicket in Tests between the two countries, surpassing the previous best of 213 set by Pakistanis Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar at Karachi in 1982. Debutant seamer Yasir Arafat jolted India with three important wickets in a tight seven-over opening spell before his side ran into Yuvraj and Ganguly, who counter-attacked to steer their team to safety.
It was one-day specialist Yuvraj's third Test century - all against Pakistan - and Ganguly's 15th, including a second successive ton against the tourists following his 102 in the previous match. Pakistan also suffered a stroke of misfortune when ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar walked off the field after bowling two overs in the afternoon. He was taken to hospital with back pain. Pakistan's team management said the fast bowler's condition would be assessed on Sunday morning before any decision was taken. "I was nervous when we were 61-4. I have never been a confident starter in Test cricket. It gives me shivers because it's a different ball game," said Yuvraj, playing only his 20th Test since his international debut in 2000. "I feel bad sitting out, but it's not easy to replace Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ganguly and Venkatsai Laxman in the middle order. "I was disappointed to get out. I should have got a double-century, but I am happy I pulled my team out of trouble."
Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani attack in the last two sessions with a wide range of attacking shots all round the wicket.
Third Test : Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani bowling attack - Day 1
Yuvraj Singh and Sourav Ganguly hammered explosive centuries to lead India's fightback in the third and final Test against Pakistan here on Saturday. Yuvraj celebrated his comeback with a career-best 169 and Ganguly scored a fluent unbeaten 125 as an injury-hit India recovered from a horror morning session to post 365-5 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day.
India were wobbling at 61-4 after winning the toss on a good batting track before left-handers Yuvraj and Ganguly restored their team's fortunes with a 300-run stand for the fifth wicket. The partnership was the highest for the fifth wicket in Tests between the two countries, surpassing the previous best of 213 set by Pakistanis Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar at Karachi in 1982. Debutant seamer Yasir Arafat jolted India with three important wickets in a tight seven-over opening spell before his side ran into Yuvraj and Ganguly, who counter-attacked to steer their team to safety.
It was one-day specialist Yuvraj's third Test century - all against Pakistan - and Ganguly's 15th, including a second successive ton against the tourists following his 102 in the previous match. Pakistan also suffered a stroke of misfortune when ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar walked off the field after bowling two overs in the afternoon. He was taken to hospital with back pain. Pakistan's team management said the fast bowler's condition would be assessed on Sunday morning before any decision was taken. "I was nervous when we were 61-4. I have never been a confident starter in Test cricket. It gives me shivers because it's a different ball game," said Yuvraj, playing only his 20th Test since his international debut in 2000. "I feel bad sitting out, but it's not easy to replace Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ganguly and Venkatsai Laxman in the middle order. "I was disappointed to get out. I should have got a double-century, but I am happy I pulled my team out of trouble."
Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani attack in the last two sessions with a wide range of attacking shots all round the wicket.
India were wobbling at 61-4 after winning the toss on a good batting track before left-handers Yuvraj and Ganguly restored their team's fortunes with a 300-run stand for the fifth wicket. The partnership was the highest for the fifth wicket in Tests between the two countries, surpassing the previous best of 213 set by Pakistanis Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar at Karachi in 1982. Debutant seamer Yasir Arafat jolted India with three important wickets in a tight seven-over opening spell before his side ran into Yuvraj and Ganguly, who counter-attacked to steer their team to safety.
It was one-day specialist Yuvraj's third Test century - all against Pakistan - and Ganguly's 15th, including a second successive ton against the tourists following his 102 in the previous match. Pakistan also suffered a stroke of misfortune when ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar walked off the field after bowling two overs in the afternoon. He was taken to hospital with back pain. Pakistan's team management said the fast bowler's condition would be assessed on Sunday morning before any decision was taken. "I was nervous when we were 61-4. I have never been a confident starter in Test cricket. It gives me shivers because it's a different ball game," said Yuvraj, playing only his 20th Test since his international debut in 2000. "I feel bad sitting out, but it's not easy to replace Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ganguly and Venkatsai Laxman in the middle order. "I was disappointed to get out. I should have got a double-century, but I am happy I pulled my team out of trouble."
Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani attack in the last two sessions with a wide range of attacking shots all round the wicket.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Yousuf and Younis saves the day for Pak. - Day 5
Stand-in captain Younis Khan staved off a spin threat and scored an unbeaten 107 under pressure to help Pakistan draw the second Test against India here on Tuesday. Pakistan finished at 214-4 in their second innings chasing a stiff 345-run target off 81 overs on the fifth and final day. Mohammad Yousuf played the supporting role and was unbeaten on 44 when the game was called off with four overs remaining. Pakistan, trailing 1-0, now have a chance to square the three-Test series when they clash with India in the third match at Bangalore starting Sunday.
Indian spinners Anil Kumble (2-73) and Harbhajan made the batsmen struggle for runs on a slow turning track, keeping a tidy line and length with four men in catching positions close to the bat. Pakistan were in trouble midway through the afternoon session when they lost four wickets for 78 in 40 overs, but Younis came to his team's rescue as he added 136 for the unfinished fifth-wicket stand with Yousuf. Former captain Sourav Ganguly, playing on his home ground, completed 6,000 runs in Test cricket during his 46 before being bowled by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Pakistan, trailing 1-0, now have a chance to square the three-Test series when they clash with India in the third match at Bangalore starting Sunday.
Indian spinners Anil Kumble (2-73) and Harbhajan made the batsmen struggle for runs on a slow turning track, keeping a tidy line and length with four men in catching positions close to the bat. Pakistan were in trouble midway through the afternoon session when they lost four wickets for 78 in 40 overs, but Younis came to his team's rescue as he added 136 for the unfinished fifth-wicket stand with Yousuf. Former captain Sourav Ganguly, playing on his home ground, completed 6,000 runs in Test cricket during his 46 before being bowled by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Pakistan, trailing 1-0, now have a chance to square the three-Test series when they clash with India in the third match at Bangalore starting Sunday.
Monday, December 3, 2007
India keep victory hopes alive - Day 4
Wasim Jaffer hit a brisk half-century as India kept alive their hopes of forcing a win in the second Test against Pakistan here on Monday. The opener followed his first-innings 202 with 56 to help the hosts reach 141-2 in their second innings for an overall lead of 301 at stumps on the penultimate day.
India, leading 1-0 in the three-Test series, shuffled their batting order to gather quick runs in a bid to set a testing fourth-innings target for Pakistan on the fifth and final day. Hard-hitting Mahendra Singh Dhoni (28) and Sourav Ganguly (24), who were promoted in the batting order, were at the crease when bad light stopped play. Pakistan will need to bat more than two sessions on a last-day pitch on Tuesday if India declare their second innings closed during the morning session.
Misbah-ul-Haq earlier gave Pakistan a lifeline when he remained unbeaten with a gutsy 161 to help his side avoid a follow-on. The middle-order batsman showed remarkable determination and concentration under pressure, forcing India to bat again in the match when he had only tailenders to give him company. Pakistan were bowled out for 456 in the afternoon in reply to India's first-innings total of 616-5 declared, with Misbah and Sami adding 91 crucial runs for the seventh wicket.
Skipper Anil Kumble kept rotating his bowlers to break the Misbah-Sami stand, but it was part-time spinner Venkatsai Laxman who provided the breakthrough. When Laxman had Sami (38) caught by Jaffer at mid-off, Pakistan had already averted the follow-on. Sami struck a six off leg-spinner Kumble and two fours. Harbhajan finished with 5-122, his 20th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings. Kumble took three wickets.
West Indies umpire Billy Doctrove was off the field for an hour in the morning after feeling unwell. He was replaced with third-umpire Amish Saheba of India.
India, leading 1-0 in the three-Test series, shuffled their batting order to gather quick runs in a bid to set a testing fourth-innings target for Pakistan on the fifth and final day. Hard-hitting Mahendra Singh Dhoni (28) and Sourav Ganguly (24), who were promoted in the batting order, were at the crease when bad light stopped play. Pakistan will need to bat more than two sessions on a last-day pitch on Tuesday if India declare their second innings closed during the morning session.
Misbah-ul-Haq earlier gave Pakistan a lifeline when he remained unbeaten with a gutsy 161 to help his side avoid a follow-on. The middle-order batsman showed remarkable determination and concentration under pressure, forcing India to bat again in the match when he had only tailenders to give him company. Pakistan were bowled out for 456 in the afternoon in reply to India's first-innings total of 616-5 declared, with Misbah and Sami adding 91 crucial runs for the seventh wicket.
Skipper Anil Kumble kept rotating his bowlers to break the Misbah-Sami stand, but it was part-time spinner Venkatsai Laxman who provided the breakthrough. When Laxman had Sami (38) caught by Jaffer at mid-off, Pakistan had already averted the follow-on. Sami struck a six off leg-spinner Kumble and two fours. Harbhajan finished with 5-122, his 20th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings. Kumble took three wickets.
West Indies umpire Billy Doctrove was off the field for an hour in the morning after feeling unwell. He was replaced with third-umpire Amish Saheba of India.
Akmal, Misbah star in Pakistan's fightback – Day 3
Kamran Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq cracked impressive centuries under pressure to sustain Pakistan's hopes of avoiding the follow-on in the second Test against India here on Sunday. Akmal scored a solid 119 for his fifth hundred and Misbah 108 not out for his maiden ton, as Pakistan recovered from 150-5 to post 358-6 in their first innings at stumps on the third day in reply to India's 616-5 declared.
The tourists, trailing 1-0 in the three-Test series, now require 59 more runs with four wickets in hand to make India bat again in the match. They were in trouble in the morning after losing four big wickets in the space of 73 runs in a poor batting display on a good track.
Pakistan's batting problems continued as stand-in captain Younis Khan (43) and Faisal Iqbal fell in the space of 16 runs to leave their team wobbling at 150-5. Younis, leading the side in the absence of unfit Shoaib Malik, hit a six off Harbhajan and five fours before falling to a rash stroke. He was caught behind trying to drive an away-going delivery from Patel.
Shoaib Malik, who was injured playing football after the first Test, is doubtful for the third and final match starting in Bangalore on December 8.
The tourists, trailing 1-0 in the three-Test series, now require 59 more runs with four wickets in hand to make India bat again in the match. They were in trouble in the morning after losing four big wickets in the space of 73 runs in a poor batting display on a good track.
Pakistan's batting problems continued as stand-in captain Younis Khan (43) and Faisal Iqbal fell in the space of 16 runs to leave their team wobbling at 150-5. Younis, leading the side in the absence of unfit Shoaib Malik, hit a six off Harbhajan and five fours before falling to a rash stroke. He was caught behind trying to drive an away-going delivery from Patel.
Shoaib Malik, who was injured playing football after the first Test, is doubtful for the third and final match starting in Bangalore on December 8.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
India on a strong position on Day 2
VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly completed their centuries to take India to a formidable total against Pakistan in the second Test on Saturday. Laxman scored an unbeaten 112 for his 11th Test hundred and left-handed Ganguly a solid 102 for his 14th, as India posted a mammoth 616-5 declared in their first innings after resuming at 352-3.
Under-pressure Pakistan lost Yasir Hameed (21) in leg-spinner Anil Kumble's opening over before reaching 50-1 on the second day. Salman Butt (26) and Younis Khan (three) were at the crease when bad light stopped play.
Laxman and Ganguly were not the only batsmen to reach the three-figure mark against a hapless Pakistani attack on a flat track as opener Wasim Jaffer (202) earlier completed his second double-century. Mahendra Singh Dhoni also joined the party, smashing one six and six fours in his unbeaten 50. India's total was their highest against Pakistan at home, surpassing the previous best of 539-9 declared at Chennai in 1961.
Nearly 60,000 spectators enjoyed the run feast at Eden Gardens as Ganguly scored his first Test hundred on his home ground before Laxman completed his century with a string of elegant strokes. "It feels nice to get a hundred anywhere, but at Eden Gardens it feels a bit different because I've played all my life in this ground and to have ended without a Test hundred here would have been disappointing," said Ganguly.
Under-pressure Pakistan lost Yasir Hameed (21) in leg-spinner Anil Kumble's opening over before reaching 50-1 on the second day. Salman Butt (26) and Younis Khan (three) were at the crease when bad light stopped play.
Laxman and Ganguly were not the only batsmen to reach the three-figure mark against a hapless Pakistani attack on a flat track as opener Wasim Jaffer (202) earlier completed his second double-century. Mahendra Singh Dhoni also joined the party, smashing one six and six fours in his unbeaten 50. India's total was their highest against Pakistan at home, surpassing the previous best of 539-9 declared at Chennai in 1961.
Nearly 60,000 spectators enjoyed the run feast at Eden Gardens as Ganguly scored his first Test hundred on his home ground before Laxman completed his century with a string of elegant strokes. "It feels nice to get a hundred anywhere, but at Eden Gardens it feels a bit different because I've played all my life in this ground and to have ended without a Test hundred here would have been disappointing," said Ganguly.
Friday, November 30, 2007
2nd Test match - Day 1 Advantage India
India's run-riot with Jaffer on unbeaten 192:
Wasim Jaffer gave a superb exhibition of strokeplay to near his second double-century as India exposed Pakistan's bowling limitations to reach a healthy 352-3 on the opening day of the second Test here on Friday. India won the toss and elected to bat on a flat track at the Eden Gardens.
The 29-year-old Jaffer added 136 for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid (50) and 175 for the next with Sachin Tendulkar (82) to put his team on course for a big total . Dinesh karthik was out early scoring one run in the very secong over of the day.
Sourav Ganguly was batting on 17 when bad light stopped play. Pakistan, grappling with injuries and illness to key players on Thursday, went into the match with four specialist bowlers but their gamble with semi-fit fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar backfired. He bowled four overs in the morning, two in the afternoon and three in the evening without taking a wicket.
Pacemen Mohammad Sami and Sohail Tanvir, and Kaneria were unable to maintain pressure on Jaffer, Tendulkar and Dravid on a first-day pitch having neither pace nor turn. Worse still for Pakistan, they failed to cash in on a chance that came their way when wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal dropped Tendulkar on 28 off Sami in the first over after the tea-break. With the Pakistani attack lacking penetration, Tanvir was asked to bowl left-arm spin in the last session but Jaffer and Tendulkar continued to gather runs with ease.
India's batting was entertaining throughout the day, with Jaffer, Tendulkar and Dravid all making merry. Runs came thick and fast as the hosts scored more than 100 in each session. Dravid shook his head in disbelief when adjudged caught behind off Kaneria by West Indies umpire Billy Doctrove.
Younis Khan is leading the side in place of Shoaib Malik, who failed to recover from an ankle injury sustained while playing football after the first Test in New Delhi on Monday. Malik was replaced with Faisal Iqbal. India lead 1-0 in the three-Test series following their six-wicket victory in the opening match.
Wasim Jaffer gave a superb exhibition of strokeplay to near his second double-century as India exposed Pakistan's bowling limitations to reach a healthy 352-3 on the opening day of the second Test here on Friday. India won the toss and elected to bat on a flat track at the Eden Gardens.
The 29-year-old Jaffer added 136 for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid (50) and 175 for the next with Sachin Tendulkar (82) to put his team on course for a big total . Dinesh karthik was out early scoring one run in the very secong over of the day.
Sourav Ganguly was batting on 17 when bad light stopped play. Pakistan, grappling with injuries and illness to key players on Thursday, went into the match with four specialist bowlers but their gamble with semi-fit fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar backfired. He bowled four overs in the morning, two in the afternoon and three in the evening without taking a wicket.
Pacemen Mohammad Sami and Sohail Tanvir, and Kaneria were unable to maintain pressure on Jaffer, Tendulkar and Dravid on a first-day pitch having neither pace nor turn. Worse still for Pakistan, they failed to cash in on a chance that came their way when wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal dropped Tendulkar on 28 off Sami in the first over after the tea-break. With the Pakistani attack lacking penetration, Tanvir was asked to bowl left-arm spin in the last session but Jaffer and Tendulkar continued to gather runs with ease.
India's batting was entertaining throughout the day, with Jaffer, Tendulkar and Dravid all making merry. Runs came thick and fast as the hosts scored more than 100 in each session. Dravid shook his head in disbelief when adjudged caught behind off Kaneria by West Indies umpire Billy Doctrove.
Younis Khan is leading the side in place of Shoaib Malik, who failed to recover from an ankle injury sustained while playing football after the first Test in New Delhi on Monday. Malik was replaced with Faisal Iqbal. India lead 1-0 in the three-Test series following their six-wicket victory in the opening match.
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