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Pakistan in India 2004-05: Pakistan Vs India -
1st Test at Mohali |
Report by Karthik Narayan
March 12th 2005:
Pakistan 312 & 496/9 dec
(Akmal
109 Inzamam 86 Razzaq 71)
drew with
India 516 & 85/1 (Sehwag 36)
Full Scorecard
Day Five was going to
determine the outcome of this engrossing test
match. India needed to bowl Pakistan out as
quickly as possible for a win; on the other
hand, Pakistan had to hang in there and save the
test.
Kamran Akmal and Razzaq started off with
Pakistan at 257/6 in the morning their prime
target was to stay in the middle for as long as
possible. It was totally uncharacteristic of
Razzaq to play very slow in the morning, but the
signs were clear that Pakistan were out there to
consume time and draw the test match. Akmal,
though played a beautiful innings with all the
glitter of stunning stroke play and the pair
completed the 100 run partnership after Lunch.
The morning session totally belonged to
Pakistan; Ganguly tried everything with subtle
bowling changes – but to no avail. By Lunch, it
seemed Pakistan would get away with a draw.
Time has been the crucial
factor in this test – India needed at least
50-60 overs to bat to get the runs scored by
Pakistan. Unfortunately for them, Pakistan
blocked the entire day with their defensive play
– especially by Razzaq. At last the breakthrough
came after a hiatus – Balaji got the wicket of
Akmal after he had made a gritty knock of 109.
Soon after, Razzaq (71) also got a sharp
delivery from Kumble and Dravid latched onto the
catch at slip. The only consolation for India in
the field being Kumble completing his 450th
test wicket – that of Sami for an unbelievable
caught and bowled! Pakistan further humiliated
India by declaring their score at 496/9, with a
huge lead of 292 runs. With just 25 overs
remaining, the game seemed to result in a draw
and nothing else.
The Indian openers Sehwag
and Gambhir were in an attacking frame of mind
and both of them played to the merit of the
ball. Sehwag and Gambhir, both were non hesitant
to dismiss the bad balls for boundaries. The
only Indian wicket fell in the form of Sehwag in
the last ball of the match when he charged down
the track to part-time leg-spinner Younis Khan
but completely missed the ball for wicket-keeper
Akmal to whip the bails. India managed to score
85 runs for the loss of a wicket in their 2nd
innings.
The match thus ended in a
tame draw, and Kamran Akmal was adjudged the man
of the match for his brilliant match saving 109.
It was really amazing to see Pakistan comeback
strongly in this test after being on the mat at
the start of their second innings at a score of
10/3.
Pakistan has managed to
draw this match thanks to the heartwarming
performances of Kamal, Akmal, Kaneria and also
the back to form performance of Razzaq shall
bring utmost confidence to the visitors ahead of
the second test. With the Indians demoralized,
Pakistan has the perfect chance to put their
confidence into action in the second test at
Kolkata beginning March 16.
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