BANGALORE, 25 March 2005 — Playing in the hundredth Test is an achievement. Making a century in it is a dream come true. This is what Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq had dreamt of a couple of day’s ago and at the end of the first day’s play in the decisive third and final Test against India he is unbeaten with 184 making his dream a reality.
In the process he not only joined his former captain Javed Miandad, who did the same feat, but also other elites like Colin Cowdrey, Gordon Greenidge and Alec Stewart in the exclusive club of those hitting hundreds in their 100th Test.
In addition, he also became the highest individual scorer at the Chinaswamy Stadium here improving on the 177 made by Sachin Tendulkar against Australia in 1997-98 series.
In the process of his masterly knock he also shared a record stand of 316 for the third wicket with Younis Khan at this the ground beating the previous between Greenidge and Clive Lloyd, who between them had added 207 runs for the fourth wicket in the 1974-75 series — the best for any wicket. Younis too remained unbeaten with 127, as good an innings as his captain, as Pakistan finished the day making 323 for 2.
Their partnership was all the more valuable for Pakistan, who after having won the toss had lost their openers with only seven runs on the board. That for them looked like the beginning of the end.
Shahid Afridi was caught at slip by Rahul Dravid without getting off the mark and on the first ball he faced from Laxmipathy Balaji and in the third over Yasir Hamid one of the two replacements on the day was caught at the wicket off Irfan Pathan having made only 6.
A jubilant packed crowd of near about 35,000 were on their feet egging the Indian bowlers on for the kill.
But then Inzamam and Younis paced their innings to make sure that they did not lose any more wickets before lunch as they remained together at 93 for 2. Inzamam had already made 55 with the help of nine fours.
Their partnership as the best that the Bangalore crowd had ever witnessed. Stroke flowed from the bat all round the ground as Inzamam and Younis began to punish the spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh and the medium-pacers Balaji and Pathan, repeatedly bisecting the field while leaving the fielders in awe.
Inzamam’s brilliance was applauded time and again as he hoisted the hundred run partnership in 115 minutes and later reached his well-deserved century with the help of 15 fours having played 170 deliveries. A standing ovation greeted him and he fully deserved every second of it.
Greenidge had made his 144 against England at Antigua, Cowdrey his 104 against Australia in 1968-69, Miandad his 145 at Lahore and Alec Stewart his 105 at Old Trafford against India. For Inzamam it was a memorable feat to join this group.
Younis matched Inzamam stroke for stroke and in making his second century of the series he silenced his critics who were after his head following his failure in the first Test at Mohali where he failed to make runs and dropped a couple of vital catches.
After tea he had reached his eighth Test hundred with the help of nine fours and a six off Harbhajan having faced 211 balls.
Even the new ball, taken after 84 overs, did nothing to break the stand between Younis and Inzamam who continued to frustrate the Indian bowlers as the day faded away in disappointment for the Indian captain and the crowd. Inzamam said after his century that he had been determined to lead from the front. “The responsibility to show the way brought the best out of me. It was a special occasion which became super-special with a hundred,” said Inzamam.
“It was a setback to lose two quick wickets after winning the toss on a good batting pitch,” said Inzamam. “When I walked in I was under pressure, but I knew runs would come once I saw off the new ball.”
“It is a great honor for me to be in that exalted company,” said Inzamam after learning that he was in the exalted group of five. He was presented with a crystal trophy before the start of the match by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan.
“It’s really flattering when people say I have become more responsible. I am on Cloud Nine when people say I am at the peak of my batting,” he said.
Inzamam had an auspicious start, getting a pat on his back from his father Intizam-ul Haq who flew in from Pakistan to celebrate his son’s landmark. “I dedicate this hundred to my father who came here for my 100th Test and also to the people of my nation,” said Inzamam. “My father has always been a source of inspiration for me since my childhood and he patted me on the back when I was coming to the stadium.”
