MULTAN, 20 November 2006 — Three top-order Pakistani batsmen, opener Imran Farhat, vice-captain Younis Khan and veteran Mohammad Yousuf chipped in half centuries to post 263 for four on the first day of the second Test against West Indies here yesterday. When stumps were drawn for the day skipper Inzamam ul-Huq was batting at 31 with Shoaib Malik at 4.
Contrary to apprehensions of the possibility of rain disrupting the day’s play, it was a sunny morning when Inzamam won the toss and decided to bat. But unlike Brian Lara, who had taken a similar decision in the Lahore Test, he had no reason to be unhappy at the end of the day.
Pakistan, winners of three of the four Tests played on this ground since August 2001, were comfortably placed at the end of the first day and with wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, who made 78 in the first Test and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq to bat, must be looking forward to post around 400 in their first innings.
For Inzamam, it must be a matter of great satisfaction that after a long time his openers gave their team a good start of 83. Batting on a flat pitch against some erratic and insipid fast bowling and at times lethargic fielding, Pakistan’s top order batsmen made the best of the situation.
While Inzamam made no change in his line-up that won the first Test on Tuesday, Lara surprised many by replacing his vice-captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan with the less experienced Runako Morton and fast bowler Fidel Edwards for Daren Powell. However, the West Indies captain did not mince words saying he wanted to give time to Sarwan to — reflect upon his form — before he can be part of the playing eleven.
For the visitors, Jerome Taylor, who opened the attack with Corey Collymore, was the most successful bowler, claiming two wickets for 61 off 15 overs. But it were Collymore and spinner Chris Gayle who were most economical of the seven bowlers used by Lara during the day’s play. Collymore, who conceded only 23 runs from his 16 overs, was again unlucky to remain un-rewarded but Gayle accounted for the prized wicket of Mohammad Yousuf. Gayle conceded 52 runs from 22 overs.
Farhat and Hafeez, opening the innings for the second time in this series, started on a cautious note, adding 31 runs in the first hour. Farhat, who is already under criticism for his faulty style and failure in the first Test, looked under pressure from the start. Although it was Hafeez (36), who had played an important innings in Lahore, was the first to fall, Farhat (74) played a streaky knock despite a placid wicket and lackluster bowling.
Taylor made the breakthrough for the visitors, forcing Hafeez to chase an out-swinger in the hands of Denesh Ramdin when the total was 83. Younis and Farhat added 42 runs for the second wicket when Farhat was caught by Lara off Dwayne Bravo. Younis , among the first Test failures, played a gritty innings adding 87 runs for the third wicket with Yousuf who had joined him after Farhat’s departure. He played an assertive knock, probably the best of the day but again had his share of luck. Like in the Lahore Test, he was dropped by Daren Ganga at 45. This time out he was unable to cash on his good fortune and fell to Gayle, caught by Lara for 56. It was heartening that play was not curtailed due to fading light and 91 overs were bowled on the first day.
