Pakistan v. India - 1st. Test

[Donny]

Ganguly out of Test opener

From correspondents in Multan, Pakistan - Fox


INDIAN captain Sourav Ganguly today ruled himself out of playing in the Test series opener against Pakistan.

"I will not be playing in the first Test as my back is still hurting," Ganguly told reporters ahead of the first Test that begins tomorrow in the eastern city of Multan.

Ganguly had to be carried from the field on a stretcher Wednesday after hurting his back during India's first ever one-day series victory in Pakistan.

India won the five-match series 3-2.

The Indian skipper writhed in pain after diving to stop a shot by Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Ganguly said he was being treated by team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus and was hopeful of recovering before the second Test, to be played April 5-9 in Lahore.

In his absence, vice captain Rahul Dravid will lead the team.

[Donny]

Starts at 4 pm today.

[Donny]

India won the toss and have got off to good start due to 52 n.o. from Sehwag. They are 0/69
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At lunch it's 0/104 with Sehwag on 76 n.o.

[London Dave]

Sehwag brings up is ton with a 6 off Shoaib...the Paks aren't travelling too serenely at the moment!

[Donny]

Yes mate. I'd love to crack Akhtar for 6 to bring up a ton.

Actually, I'd love to hit just one more six. I only had 6 of them in my career and, as a tailend batsman does, I remember every one.

[London Dave]

You'd only need to nick him over the keepers head mate, though I figure he wouldnt waste the short stuff on us, he'd go straight for the sandshoe crusher!

[Donny]

Saqlain gets Chopra for 42. 1/166. Sehwag is 116 n.o.
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The Wall is gone. Dravid out to Sami for 6. 2/185.

[commonwombat]

I take it that you took the correct steps facing the quicks, Donny.

Long ones ..... backwards

[Donny]

2/250. Sehwag is 173 n.o.
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Sehwag moves on to 195 n.o. and equals his highest Test score, made recently against the Aussies.
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[Donny]

2/300 and Sehwag has 200 of them.

Sounds like a great innings. Up to 190, he was travelling at run-a-ball while Tendulkar quietly scored 40 from 100 balls.

He is now on 212 n.o. from 235 and Tendulkar is 45 n.o. from 107.
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At stumps, India is 2/356 with Sehwag on 228 n.o. from 271 balls and Tendulkar, 61 from 144.

Not a toss to lose, Inzi.

[Donny]

Sehwag out for 309. A new highest score for an Indian

He hit 39 fours and 6 sixes and faced 375 balls. His strike was quite amazing for a long innings in a Test - 82.40 His partnership with Tendulkar was 336.

Tendulkar is 140 n.o. from 285 balls and India is 3/537.

[London Dave]

catches, especially dolly's, win matches.....309-68 = 241

[Donny]

At tea, the score is 4/588 with Tendulkar on 165 n.o.

Laxman made 29 before being run out.
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Tendulkar and Singh have slammed a 100 run partnership in 17 overs.

Tendulkar moves on relentlessly to 192 n.o. and Singh has 57 n.o. from 60 balls.

4/671.
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Yuvraj Singh out for 59. Imran Farhat gets a wicket.

Dravid declares !!! 5/675. Tendulkar remains 194 n.o.

Sami (2/110) returned the best figures.

[JLC]

Whats Tendulkars average for the year.....lmao I still dont think he has one. Looks like a big year for Sachin.

Great knock from mini tendulkar and tendulkar

jlc

[Donny]

Pakistan off to a steady start. 0/37 after 15 overs.
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0/42 at stumps.