FAISALABAD, 24 November 2005 — England snapped up three late wickets in the last session on the fourth day of the second Test which left Pakistan struggling to save the match with a day’s game still left. When play stopped early due to bad light yesterday the home team was 183 for six and in serious trouble.
Earlier in the day, England in their first innings were all out for 446, conceding a slender lead of 16 runs.
It is now up to skipper Inzamamul Haq (41 n.o.) and his three bowlers to bat for at least one hour on the final day (Thursday) and try put 250 on the board to make England work hard to win this match and level the series 1-1.Pakistan won the first Test at Multan by a slender 22-runs margin.
And Inzamam is not faced with such a grim situation for the first time. In the Multan Test he had to shoulder the responsibility to salvage his team from a situation when defeat looked imminent. Pakistan had lost three wickets for 131 when Inzamam scored 72 precious runs to bring his side back into contention.
Just when Pakistan looked like settling down in the last session of the day, Andrew Flintoff snapped two wickets, from successive deliveries, to remove Mohammed Yousuf (20) and Shahid Afridi (0). Stephen Harmison then struck another telling blow to remove Kamran Akmal, the last recognized batsman, minutes before close. Pakistan tumbled to 183 for six, having an overall lead of 199 at close with three wickets and a whole day’s play to go.
Flintoff’s spell of two wickets for 15 runs from seven overs after tea has given England an outside chance of a win.
The all rounder forced Yousuf to play on to his stumps. He then silenced the roaring crowd with a fantastic ball that send Afridi’s off-stump cart-wheeling. Afridi had played a hurricane knock of 92 from 85 balls and after his first-ball dismissal most of the crowd left the stadium. Harmison then had Akmal caught behind in the last over of the day as Pakistan lost their last five wickets for 79 runs.
Flintoff also caused Inzamam considerable discomfort and had a confident leg before shout against him turned down by umpire Simon Taufel.
Inzamam steadied the Pakistan innings in his usual cool and patient manner. He played 70 balls to reach 41 following his scores of 53 and 72 in the first Test and 109 in the first innings of this second Test.
It is going to be a formidable task for the Pakistan captain. He will not only have to ensure that he and the tail-enders— all bowlers—not only carry the innings for first 90 minutes or so on the fifth day but also keep scoring to give England a stiff target to chase. Inzamam will not only have to do most of the scoring but also protect his partners.
Pakistan began their second innings after England were all out 446 after 50 minutes of play in the morning session, but lost its way after another good opening stand of 54 by Salman Butt (54) and Shoaib Malik(26).
Ganguly Retains Spot
for Sri Lanka Tests
In Madras, Indian cricket selectors yesterday retained sacked captain Saurav Ganguly for the first Test in next month’s home series against Sri Lanka.
Ganguly had been the subject of intense speculation after he was sacked as one-day captain last month following a prolonged batting slump and a major row with coach Greg Chappell.
Rahul Dravid, who took over, was also appointed Test captain on Tuesday after his fine start in the one-day role.
Chief selector Kiran More said yesterday that Ganguly, India’s most successful Test captain, had been chosen as a batting all-rounder in the 15-player squad.
