Pakistan v. India - 2nd. Test

[Go_The_Mighty_Magpies]

India won the toss and batted.

[Donny]

Crash !!

Sami claimed Chopra (4) with the score on 5 and then Sehwag (39) and Dravid (33) added 65 before Umar Gul (5/31) shot out both of them, Tendulkar (2), Laxman (11 and Patel (0) as India lost 5/58.

They are now 7/170. Yuvraj is 50 n.o.

[Donny]

Top innings from Yuvraj. 112 from 129 balls. He and Pathan (49) added 117 to give the total - 287 - some respectability.

Strangely, Gul (5/33) only bowled 12 overs while Sami bowled 23 and went for 117 runs.

[Donny]

Yuvraj stands alone after Gul heroics

The Wisden Bulletin by Dileep Premachandran


Two men who started this series on the periphery of things grabbed the limelight on an enthralling opening day's play at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. First, Umar Gul – a late replacement for Shabbir Ahmed – bowled a magnificent spell that reduced India to 147 for 7, and then Yuvraj Singh, in only his third Test, stroked a glorious 129-ball 112 to take his side to 287. By stumps, Pakistan had knocked off 61 from the deficit, for the loss of Taufeeq Umar.

India's innings, after Rahul Dravid won the toss, had three distinct phases – dominance, collapse, and eventual recovery to a total that was nevertheless somewhat below par. For a 90-minute spell either side of lunch, when Gul's control of line and length fetched him splendid figures of 5 for 31, it appeared as though they might not reach 180, but Yuvraj and Irfan Pathan – who showed genuine class with the bat – evened up matters with a 117-run partnership characterised by some stunning strokeplay.

After Aakash Chopra departed for 4, trapped in front by Mohammad Sami, Virender Sehwag took up where he had left off in Multan. A slashed six over point off Shoaib Akhtar set the tone, and he followed up with some beautiful off-drives as both Sami and Shoaib failed to make use of favourable conditions on a green-tinged pitch.

The complexion of the match changed after the drinks break, by which time Gul had come on to replace the huffing-and-puffing Shoaib. He got Sehwag with one that pitched just outside off stump – Kamran Akmal, deputising for Moin Khan, took a regulation catch – and then delivered a real knockout punch. Sachin Tendulkar was struck high on the pad in front of the stumps, and Simon Taufel lifted the finger, though there was some doubt about whether the ball might have gone over the stumps (75 for 3).

VVS Laxman played one withering square cut off Shoaib, but otherwise appeared ill at ease, and when Gul tempted him with one outside off, he nibbled it through to Taufeeq at second slip (94 for 4).

Yuvraj was quickly into his stride with a nonchalant flick for four off Gul, but India's innings was in tatters soon after. Dravid had rarely been troubled during his 33, but when he flashed at a fairly wide one from Gul, Inzamam-ul-Haq took a fine low catch at slip (125 for 5). Parthiv Patel didn't trouble the scorers, bizarrely choosing to shoulder arms to a straight one from Gul (127 for 6).


Ajit Agarkar made just 2 before edging Shoaib behind the stumps – the only success for Pakistan's ineffectual spearhead – but his dismissal set the stage for a remarkable rearguard action. Yuvraj was especially ruthless on the radar-less Sami – hooking, cutting and square-driving him for four fours in an over.

Pathan got going with a sumptuous off-drive off Shoaib for four, and there were also two quite magnificent square-drives when Sami pitched it in the slot. Yuvraj continued to bat in imperious fashion, slamming Danish Kaneria for six over long-on, and then sweeping him over deep square leg for six more. By tea, it was Pakistan under siege, as both Yuvraj and Pathan struck the ball with a fluency that made a mockery of the supposedly bowler-friendly conditions.

Yuvraj was dropped by Akmal off Sami – a sharp chance low to his left when he had made 97 – but Pakistan made the breakthrough soon after, when Pathan slapped a half-volley straight back to Kaneria. He departed having made an excellent 49, with his parents watching from one of the enclosures.

A misfield at cover gave Yuvraj his century, and he celebrated with a disdainful pull for four when Shoaib returned for a new spell. But Sami, shockingly wayward in conceding 117 from 23 overs, got rid of Lakshmipathy Balaji, and Yuvraj was finally out, sweeping Kaneria down to Imran Farhat at deep midwicket, as India folded for 287 in just 64.1 overs.

Balaji sneaked one through Taufeeq's defence late in the day, but India knew that they would have to bowl extremely well on day two to wrest the initiative back from a rejuvenated Pakistan side that had rediscovered its appetite for the big occasion. After four days of one-way traffic in Multan, the series had finally become the contest that we all hoped for.

[Donny]

Steady as she goes for Pakistan this morning.

Farhat and Hameed have progressed to 1/94 after 13 overs today.
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2/145 at lunch with Farhat on 73 n.o.

[Donny]

Pakistan are heading towards a strong position as Imran Farhat brings up his century.

He was just out for 101 and shared a partnership with Inzamam (41 n.o.) of 110 runs. 3/205.
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3/265 at tea. Inzi is 65 n.o. and Youhana, 33 n.o.

[Donny]

Pakistan in Test driving seat

From correspondents in Lahore - Fox

PAKISTAN captain Inzamam-ul Haq and opener Imran Farhat hit sparkling centuries to put the hosts in command of the second cricket Test against India today.

Pakistan, hoping to level the three-match series after losing the first Test by an innings last week, ended the ill-tempered second day's play at 355-3 to take a 68-run lead with seven wickets in hand.

India were shot out for 287 on the first day after electing to bat on a greenish wicket at the Gaddafi stadium.

Inzamam, unbeaten on 118 at close, added 110 for the third wicket with Farhat and 150 for the undefeated fourth with Yousuf Youhana, who returned unconquered on 62.

Farhat hit 101, his second Test century, before his illustrious captain took over to compile his 19th Test hundred and the first against India in four matches.

Farhat hit 14 boundaries during his 266-minute stay at the crease before he edged Laxmipathy Balaji to wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel.

Inzamam, who made 77 and 0 in the first Test at Multan, was in terrific form, smashing 14 boundaries during the eventful afternoon's session.

India's bowlers showed their displeasure when West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor turned down leg-before appeals against both Youhana and Inzamam off the same bowler, Irfan Pathan.

Youhana was then on 35, while Inzamam was on 65.

Youhana survived another close call when television replays showed leg-spinner Anil Kumble's spinning ball catch the edge before lodging in Patel's gloves, but Australian umpire Simon Taufel was unmoved.

As tempered flared on the field, the Indians had another reason to feel frustrated when Bucknor rejected a confident appeal by Balaji for a catch at the wicket off Inzamam.

An unruffled Inzamam swept Kumble for his 12th boundary to reach his century.

"There was nothing serious on the field, we just talked in between overs," said the Pakistan captain, playing down any animosity between the two sides.

"We must score 500-600 runs after getting to this position because we know India can bat well in the second innings," he said.

"We need a lead of around 250 to put pressure on the Indians. I am happy today because the team needed runs and I was able to contribute.

"But a lot of work remains in this Test before it can be won."

In the morning, Pakistan progressed steadily to 95 after resuming at 61-1 before seamer Ajit Agarkar struck in his first over of the day.

Yasir Hameed played a rash shot outside the off stump and was smartly snapped up at first slip by Rahul Dravid after making 19.

Farhat was lucky to reach 50 when he hooked Pathan's bouncer in the air and Agarkar dived valiantly, only to see the ball drop short and cross the boundary.

Pakistan reached 145-2 at lunch and soon after the break Farhat launched an attack on Kumble, hitting three boundaries to race into nervous 90s.

Farhat survived a confident appeal for a catch at the wicket off Balaji on 99 before taking a quick single in the same over to complete his century.

India took the second new ball just before tea with Pakistan's total at 265-3, but Inzamam and Youhana batted steadily to help their team surpass India's moderate score.

[Donny]

Wickets to India. Inzi didn't add to his overnight score and Youhana went for 72.

At lunch, it's 7/419 with Kamal on 26 n. o. Balaji and Pathan have 3 wickets each and Kumble has 0/122 from 35 overs.

[Donny]

The 150 lead comes up with a 6 from Kamal.

Akhtar went for 19 and became Kumble's first wicket.

It's 8/439 and Kamal is 39 n.o.

[Donny]

Pakistan has a lead of 202. Kamal scored 73. Kumble took 2/146.

[Donny]

India in a spot of trouble.

Chopra gone - 12. Dravid gone for a duck. Tendulkar gone - 8. Laxman gone - 13. Yuvraj gone - 12.

Only Sehwag is playing an innings. He's 60 n.o. from 72 balls. Sami has 2/40 and Akhtar and Gul have a wicket each.

It's 5/105. Still 97 runs behind.
-----------------------------------------------

At stumps, India recovered to 5/149, still 53 behind. Sehwag is 86 n.o.

[Donny]

Sehwag could only add 4 to his overnight score and Patel remained 62 n.o.

Akhtar took 3/62 and Kaneria (3/14) ran through the tail.

Pakistan only needed 40 to win and got them with the loss of 1 wicket.

[Donny]

Pakistan romp to series-levelling win

The Wisden Bulletin by Dileep Premachandran - Cricinfo


Pakistan needed just seven overs to knock off the 40 they required to clinch a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over India in the second Test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Having been humbled in just over four days at Multan, they returned the favour with interest at Lahore, finishing off India's feeble challenge in just over 10 sessions. They lost Imran Farhat (9) – caught at point by Yuvraj off Lakshmipathy Balaji's bowling – but Taufeeq Umar and Yasir Hameed cantered past the target with the aid of some superb drives.

Parthiv Patel's defiant, unbeaten 62 had allowed India to avoid an innings defeat. Resuming on 149 for 5, they were bowled out for 241 a few minutes before lunch, losing their last three wickets to Danish Kaneria for just 6 runs.

Virender Sehwag, who had batted with the air of a man who wore worries lightly yesterday, never managed to get into his stride in the morning, struggling to time the ball with his usual fluency. Shoaib Akhtar frequently cramped him for room, and beat him for pace, and it was no real surprise when Sehwag had a flail at a delivery that was pitched fairly wide outside off stump. The ball took the top edge, and went through to Kamran Akmal. With Sehwag gone for 90 (160 for 6), it was only a matter of when India would subside.

Irfan Pathan had made a cultured 49 in the first innings, but lasted just four balls at the second time of asking. Shoaib bowled him three bouncers in succession, two of which he almost gloved perilously close to fielders. The fourth was even more lethal, taking the splice on its way to Taufeeq, who took a simple catch running to his left at second slip (160 for 7).

Patel was then struck a sickening blow in the groin by Mohammad Sami, but showed tremendous courage and skill to square-cut Sami for four, and pull Shoaib behind square for another boundary. Agarkar, whose Test century at Lord's stands alone as testament to his batting ability, started with a streaky four down to third man off Sami, but then played three glorious square drives off Umar Gul to ensure that Pakistan would have to bat again. He was fortunate though to be given not out by Steven Bucknor, when a Kaneria delivery struck him plumb in front.

Patel continued to drive and cut with power and authority, and a glide down to third man off Gul got him to 50. A slashed drive off Sami followed, as India harboured visions of an unlikely comeback.

The end, when it came, was swift. Agarkar slammed Kaneria for a straight four and another over mid-on, before edging the next ball to Taufeeq at first slip (235 for . Agarkar made 36, and added 75 runs with Patel in next to no time.

In his very next over, Kaneria applied the finishing touches, having Kumble stumped by Akmal – the third umpire viewed the replay several times before the light went red – and then trapping Balaji plumb in front. Perhaps exhilarated by the manner in which Pakistan had taken charge of the match, Gul uprooted the stumps at the bowlers end, forgetting that there was the small matter of 40 runs to knock off.

He only needed to wait another hour though, as Pakistan capped off a performance every bit as emphatic and dominating as India's had been at Multan. It set up a tantalising finale at Rawalpindi, starting next Tuesday, but it was impossible to escape the feeling that the force was now with Pakistan.

[The Prototype]

India out of form? Things really have changed since they toured Aussie.