FAISALABAD, 24 January 2006 — An authoritative 160-run unbeaten partnership between two non-specialist batsmen — wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and fast bowler Irfan Pathan — certainly saved India the possible humiliation of follow-on after they had lost four wickets in the first hour of the post-lunch session on the third day of the second Test against Pakistan here yesterday.
When play was called off five overs early due to fading light, India were 441 for five, 147 runs behind Pakistan’s first innings score of 588, but were surely out of troubled waters thanks to Dhoni’s breezy maiden Test century (116) which included 14 fours and four sixes. Pathan was batting at 49.
With two days of play left and the first innings still incomplete, this Test is heading, like the first in Lahore, to a tame draw — the glorious uncertainties of cricket notwithstanding.
India resumed their reply at overnight 110 for one, through Rahul Dravid (46) and VVS Laxman (28). The Indian skipper completed his 50 in the first over of the day by hitting Asif Mohammad for a boundary. The two batted with caution denying the Pakistani bowlers a breakthrough. They added 117 runs in 150 minutes of play in the first session.
The visitors were comfortably placed at 227 for one when only ten minutes into the second session Danish Kaneria provided Pakistan the much-needed breakthrough. In his third over the leg-spinner had Laxman caught by Kamran Akmal at 90, reducing India to 236 for 2.
Dravid, who had by then scored his 22nd Test century by cutting leg-spinner Shahid Afridi to point for his 16th boundary, did not last long. Two overs later the Indian skipper was run out when he failed to beat a direct throw from substitute Imran Farhat from square-leg after making 103.The third Indian wicket fell at 241.
Within a span of just 43 runs the visitors lost the prized wickets of Sachin Tendulkar (14) and Yuvraj Singh (4). Pakistan took the new ball as soon it was due — in the 81st over and young Asif had Singh caught by Kaneria while Tendulkar fell to the pace of Shoaib Akhtar.
At 284 for 5, with the top batting back into the pavilion, India were in serious trouble, still needing 105 runs to save the follow on. It was at this stage that Dhoni, ably supported by Pathan, played undoubtedly the best innings of his brief Test career, one he will cherish for a long time.
Dhoni, whose previous best Test score was 51, remained unfazed after Pakistan grabbed four quick wickets in the post-lunch session. He batted with authority to spare India’s blushes during a defiant 160-run stand for the sixth wicket with Pathan to consolidate the good work by Dravid and Laxman.
