LAHORE, 7 March 2004 — Pakistan found the one element that they were missing — discipline in batting — when they needed it most as they ground the Indian attack to dust to seize control of the second cricket Test at the Qaddafi Stadium yesterday.
The disciplined display, helped along with a slice of luck, enabled Pakistan overhaul India’s first innings tally of 287, first, and then set up the base to pile up the numbers. Resuming at 61 for one, Pakistan ended the second day at 355 for three with captain Inzamam ul-Haq, batting on 118, and Yousuf Yohanna, keeping him company with 62.
Inzamam was the pivot around which the Pakistan innings was built. He shared in two important partnerships that could well provide the springboard for a big Pakistan total.
First, he joined opener Imran Farhat, the other century-maker of the day, to blunt the Indians with a 110-run stand for the third wicket, and then he and Yousuf Yohanna frustrated the Indians with some determined batting in their unbroken 150-run effort.
The Indian bowlers bowled a consistent line and length, but the Pakistan batsmen shut them out by taking no chances. There were some lusty blows and some exquisite touch shots throughout the day, but they were few and came after large gaps of defensive batting.
Even then Pakistan managed to rack up 294 runs. This was largely due to their effort in taking every opportunity to score through singles and twos, as they targeted leg-spinner Anil Kumble for the stick.
Inzamam, while happy at notching his 19th hundred, said that still work had to be done. “Tomorrow’s first session will be crucial. If we play well in this session then we can set India a big total,” he said.
“The boys have played well and the hard work at the nets has yielded results. But it was difficult to score runs. But we waited for the loose delivery to score from,” he added.
Though India bowled well, they did not get any assistance from the pitch and on occasions from the umpires. After tea, with Pakistan resuming at 265 for three, young Irfan Pathan had two lbws against Yohanna and one against Inzamam turned down by umpire Steve Bucknor. The replays showed otherwise.
The other bowlers suffered too. Kumble got a raw deal when Simon Taufel turned down a caught behind chance of Yohanna, who then was on 38, and then after appearing to have done enough for a lbw decision against Inzamam he found Bucknor unmoved. Inzamam was at 118.
But for these close calls, Pakistan batted with grit that has not been evident in recent times. With the pitch playing true and promising plenty of runs, it was left to the batsmen to gift away their wickets. But Pakistan did not look the gift horse in the mouth.
The tone of the day was set by the overnight batsmen, Imran and Yasir Ahmed, who took the cautious route early in the day. But Imran refused to be shackled as he opened up against Kumble whenever the opportunity offered.
He showed a flair for the off, driving square and straight, to keep the score ticking. And just when they were slowly gaining the ascendancy, Hameed played a rash stroke that was held neatly in the slips by Rahul Dravid for 19. The wicket going to Agarkar, who shaped the ball away and Hameed’s attempted drive to the covers turned into a snick.
The Indians jubilance was brief, as in walked Inzamam. And the “gentle giant” dwarfed all with his dedication and application. Though there was one false step when he appeared to have got a tickle to a Balaji delivery when on 88, but was relieved with Bucknor standing firm to a vociferous caught behind appeal.
He allowed Imran the lead in the first partnership, while shepherding the youngster to a deserved 101. Imran, who was snapped up by Balaji soon after lunch, had smashed 14 boundaries in his innings.
Inzamam, though the dominant partner, allowed Yohanna much room in what could well prove to be the decisive partnership. Once again Inzamam’s strong sweeps and flashing cover and square drives were the shots that shaded India, while Yohanna was content to take the steady route to his 21st half century in his 50th Test.
The frustration of the Indians could well be described by the one incident that could have sparked a full-blown row. After Inzamam had swept Kumble to the deep fine leg for a four that brought up his three figures, he then stepped out to crack another four through the covers two balls later.
And when Inzamam played out the last ball to the bowler, Kumble in a sudden rush of blood threw the ball at the wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, missing a ducking Inzamam by inches. The Pakistan skipper walked up to the bowler and some words were exchanged. But before it could turn ugly, Sachin Tendulkar and captain Rahul Dravid stepped in to paper over the row. The incident could well be reported by the umpires and Kumble could well find himself in the middle of it.
Inzamam, when asked at the post-match press conference about the incident, said: “It was nothing. There’s no need to make a fuss about it as it happened in the heat of the moment.” After this classic century, Inzamam can be cool and confident.
Wicketkeeper Patel Fined for Dissent
India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has been fined 60 percent of his match fee for dissent in the second Test.
“He pleaded guilty to showing dissent at an umpiring decision by action or verbal abuse,” Samiul Hasan, media manager of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), told reporters yesterday.
Patel, 19, was visibly disappointed after Australian umpire Simon Taufel declined a caught-behind appeal against Yousuf Yohanna off leg-spinner Anil Kumble on the second day. He was called to appear before match referee Ranjan Madugalle.
