|
Pakistan in India 2004-05: Pakistan Vs India -
3rd Test at Bangalore |
Report by Karthik Narayan
March 28th, 2005:
Pak 570 & 261/2 dec
beat
Ind
449 & 214
(Gambhir 52, Afridi 3/13) by 168
runs
Full
Scorecard
It all has trickled down to the last day of
this test match, which has been sweated out in
scorching heat and with extreme passion and
rigour. India was expected to draw out this
match and win the series, while Pakistan had to
get India bowled out before the umpires called
“game over”. Sehwag and Gambhir handled Sami,
Razzaq and Kaneria in the morning session with
quite a bit of difficulty. The Pakistanis were
pushing hard for an early wicket, which did not
come until Sehwag got into a mix-up for a run
that was not there. And Gambhir’s bad call left
him stranded and well short of the crease at the
bowler’s end. Razzaq’s throw being accurate to
hit the stumps.
Gambhir played some nice strokes to get him
past the 50 run mark, a much needed fifty. Soon
after lunch, Mohamed Sami came back into the
attack and found his rhythm immediately. He was
so hostile and overcame the heat and bowled a
fierce spell. His aggression brought him success
– Gambhir was wrapped on the pads to a pacy
ball, Sami had brought cheer to the Pakistani
camp by opening up the Indian middle order.
Dravid and Tendulkar were India’s main hopes –
they also kept the same approach to the game.
Arshad Khan became a hero for Pakistan when he
made Dravid continue his poor run at his home
ground; the ball kicked at Dravid, hitting the
cracks, and Dravid steered it into the hands of
silly point, Younis Khan who took a nice catch.
Laxman and Tendulkar struggled totally – it
looked like the Pakistanis were crushing India
pressurizing them without giving runs. At one
stage, Tendulkar was stuck on the score of 5 for
such a long time that one wondered if at all he
would make any more runs. A small and slow
partnership came between Tendulkar and Laxman,
but was finally broken by a skidding top spinner
by Afridi. Ganguly is a captain who seems to
have forgotten that he is a good batsman. After
scratching around, Afridi bowled a dream leg
spin delivery that spun viciously from well
outside off stump. The ball cleared Ganguly’s
stump from the ground and he was shell shocked
to realize that he was out. Half the Indian side
was gone by now 135 runs on the board.
But then, the intention of the Indian batsmen
was too evident – they wanted to play out for a
draw. That negative approach to the game got
them into a lot of trouble. The joy went one up
in favour of Pakistan when Dinesh Karthik could
not counter an express Sami Yorker. Sami has
been bowling at over 145 kmph throughout the day
and his pace and accuracy was rewarded.
Sachin played half his life for a paltry 16
off 98 balls (and half the day), and he failed
to convert his life into a big score when he was
dropped by Kamal at forward short leg off the
bowling of Sami. Afridi got him yet again; once
again the top spinner did the trick. The ball
came in with the arm, jumped on Sachin and the
inside edge went straight to forward short leg,
this time Kamal made no mistake.
The Indians caved in from there without much
of a fight. It was a very pitiable position for
their tail-enders to try save the match – but it
was too late by then. Pathan’s wicket was taken
by Arshad Khan, and Kaneria mopped up the rest
of the last two wickets – Harbhajan Singh and
Balaji. Kumble played a cameo of 37* of 52 balls
in a manner that should shame Ganguly.
Finally when the last nail was hammered into
the Indian coffin at 214, Pakistan were joyous,
and why not! They have played magnificent
cricket and have made use of the conditions to
conjure a fantastic win. It has been great
commitment and desire to excel in this game that
saw them comeback from the jaws of defeat to a
series-leveling win. Afridi picked up 3 wickets
for a measly 13 runs.
Today marks one of those days when a strong
will to win helped a team claim their stake to
glory. Pakistan stand tall and this win shall
give them a lot of confidence going into the ODI
tournament. Younis Khan was adjudged man of the
match and Virender Sehwag was the man of the
series.
This was truly a world class and fabulous
test series and a real treat to watch. We are
looking forward to the great ODI series coming
up in a few days from now.
Top of the Page |
