LAHORE, 3 December 2005 — Ashes winners England were almost pushed to the wall as Pakistan’s batsmen posted a massive 636 for 8 declared in their first innings and gained an unassailable 348 runs lead here yesterday, fourth day of the third and final Test.
At close of play the visitors had scored 121 for two in their second innings, still 227 runs in deficit with the grim prospect of an innings defeat looming large. Today is the last day of the match Pakistan have an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the series.
Paceman Shoaib Akhtar caused the initial damage by claiming two important England wickets. Ian Bell was 60 not out along with first innings batting-hero Paul Collingwood on 37 when the umpires applied closure due to bad light with 23 overs remaining.
Pakistan batted magnificently with Mohammad Yousuf leading the way with a career-best 223, his third double-century in 62 Tests. Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal who hit 154, his second Test century, provided solid support from the other end. These two added 267 runs, a new sixth-wicket record for Pakistan in all Tests, before Yousuf was out at 516. Andrew Flintoff then ended Akmal’s brilliant innings when he had the batsman caught at short mid-wicket by Vaughan. The young wicket keeper hit 14 fours in his 242-ball knock.
Skipper Inzamam ul-Haq was run out in what was a very soft dismissal, three runs short of what would have been his third back-to-back Test century. The Inzamam scored centuries in both the first and second innings of the drawn Faisalabad Test. The Pakistan captain, who had retired hurt after being hit on the right wrist by paceman Steve Harmison on Wednesday, returned to dominate the England attack as he completed 8,000 runs in his 105th Test. He smashed two sixes and nine fours on his way to becoming the second Pakistani after Javed Miandad to complete 8,000 Test runs. Inzamam also completed 1,000 Test runs in 2005.
Pakistan feasted on a listless England attack, plundering 190 in less than 29 overs after resuming at 446-5. Their total was highest against England at home, the previous best being 569-9 at Hyderabad in 1972-73.
In contrast, England struggled as they lost openers Marcus Trescothick for nought and skipper Michael Vaughan for 13 against an incisive opening spell from Akhtar. Trescothick was trapped leg-before on the second ball of the first over of the second innings. Akhtar then deceived Vaughan with a slower delivery and took an easy return catch. England were reeling at 5 for one when lunch was taken.
Bell and Collingwood steadied the innings with an unbeaten 91-run third-wicket partnership, but England still face an uphill task if they are to save the game on the final day today. Bell, struck on the forearm by an Akhtar beamer, survived some anxious moments before reaching his fifth Test half-century which included nine fours.
First Day’s Play Washed Out in Madras Test
In Madras, heavy rains washed out the opening day’s play in the first Test between India and Sri Lanka on Friday. Reuters adds.
After weather concerns in the run-up to the match, hopes of any play on the first day ended quickly with heavy showers throughout the morning, influenced by a tropical storm swirling off the coast of Madras. It usually rains in the southeastern city at this time of the year. India’s one-dayer against South Africa a fortnight ago was also washed out. Sri Lanka is touring India for a Test series after an unusually long period of eight years. They are yet to win a Test in India from five previous trips.
