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Pakistan in India 2004-05: Pakistan Vs India -
3rd Test at Bangalore - Day 1 |
Report by Karthik Narayan
March 24th, 2005:
Pak
323/2
(Younis
127* Inzamam 184*)
Full
Scorecard
Sunshine sparkled and dazzled to kickstart
day one of the third and final test between
India and Pakistan at Bangalore. Pakistan won
the toss and elected to bat first. This was the
first time Pakistan won the toss in this series
– which may prompt many to think this might be
the turnaround for the series, hanging in
balance at India leading 1-0. Pakistan is in a
do-or-die match to level the series and reclaim
their pride.
This was also Inzamam’s 100th test – he thus
becomes the 4th Pakistani to play in 100 tests,
so this is indeed a special match for him.
Ideally he would love to win this test and make
it a memorable occasion. The Indians retained
the same team that won the last test, while
Pakistan made 2 changes – Yasir Hameed came in
place of Taufiq Umer and Mohammed Khalil was
replaced by Arshad Khan.
Having chosen to bat first, Pakistan needed a
bright start from their new opening pair
(Pakistan have had 3 opening pairs for the 3
tests!). Yasir Hameed started off well, with a
boundary in the first over off Irfan Pathan.
Afridi however, fell to the first ball he faced
in the second over of the match – Balaji’s
beautiful outswinger caught the edge of the bat
went straight to Dravid at first slip and Afridi
went for a duck.
Horror of horrors in the very next over –
Hameed failed to combat a good length just
outside off-stump ball from Pathan. The faint
edge was gleefully gobbled by Dinesh Karthik
with the score at 7/2! Definitely the Pakistani
openers have had a few nightmares on this tour!
However, the skipper and vice captain laid to
rest all fears of further damage with some nice
competitive cricket thereafter. By lunch,
Pakistan was 93/2 with a solid half century by
Inzamam. Before tea, Inzamam completed a
magnificent century – it was truly spectacular,
his knock studded with stunning shots. This was
his 21st century in test match cricket. He
joined a select elite group of cricketers who
have scored a century in their 100th test. Only
4 others before have done this amazing feat in
the history of the game. The last to do so was
Alec Stewart of England in 2000.
Here is the full list of all the five
(including Inzamam):
- MC Cowdrey: 104 v Australia, 1968,
Edgbaston
- Javed Miandad: 145 v India, 1989-90,
Lahore
- CG Greenidge: 149 v England, Antigua,
1989-90
- AJ Stewart: 105 v West Indies, 2000, Old
Trafford
- Inzamam-ul-Haq: 100* v India, 2005,
Bangalore
The Inzamam – Younis Khan Partnership started
early in the day and went on and on. Pakistan
scored 109 runs in the post lunch session
without a wicket loss in 30 overs. They went on
to create the record for highest Partnership at
Chinnaswamy Stadium, overtaking Gordon Greenidge
& Clive Lloyd’s partnership of 207 in 1974/75.
Younis Khan also completed a superb supporting
ton – while he has always been criticized for
not having taken up the responsibilities, this
series shall be the watershed. With two
centuries in two tests, he has indeed silenced
all his critics. His performance was
overshadowed by Inzamam’s feats.
No Indian bowler today really could sustain
any pressure on these two; Pakistan is in a
strong commanding position. It is time for them
to force the pace a bit tomorrow and get a
sizeable total on that board to challenge the
Indian batsmen and try to bowl them out twice.
This wicket looks very good to bat on, and
the onus lies on the Pakistani bowlers now to
back up the wonderful batting display. For the
Indian bowlers, they toiled hard, but struggled
to break through, and they have let Pakistan off
to a flying and fantastic day. Except for the
early first half hour when India seemed to be in
power, Pakistan have taken over the reins and
look good. But, time only will tell the full
story – wait and watch!
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