31 March 2004 Wednesday 09 Safar 1425 India tighten grip as Pakistan battling to avoid follow-on MULTAN, March 30: India strengthened their grip on the first Test as Pakistan struggled to 364 for six in their first innings on the third day at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. ... We can save the match: skipper MULTAN, March 30: As Pakistan were left with their backs against the wall in the first Test against India, in-form home captain Inzamamul Haq backed his side to save the match. ... Inzamam's dismissal may prove costly WHEN Simon Taufel gave Inzamamul Haq out caught at bat-pad, I was reminded of the French philosopher Blaise Pascal had said about Cleopatra: "Had Cleopatra's nose been shorter, the whole face of the world would have changed." ... Inzamam blames English curator for lifeless wicket MULTAN, March 30: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq on Tuesday blamed English curator Andy Atkinson for the dead wicket in the ongoing first Test against India, saying this was not the track his team wanted. ... Ganguly set to miss entire series MULTAN, March 30: Indian captain Saurav Ganguly is likely to miss the ongoing Test series against Pakistan as his back injury has not shown any improvement so far. ... Sachin gets short shrift but Sehwag hailed NEW DELHI, March 30: Indian hero Virender Sehwag was hailed by his country's media on Tuesday after his triple century against Pakistan - but Sachin Tendulkar's ire at missing a double ton was met with dismay. ... PCB has treated former Test cricketers shabbily It is risky business to comment on a Test match that is midway and though India has an iron grip on it, it is far from over. But some observations can be made on the periphery of it. ... Smith leads from front as South Africa square series WELLINGTON, March 30: South Africa captain Graeme Smith scored an unbeaten century as the tourists cruised to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand on the fifth afternoon of the third Test on Tuesday. ... Indian swimmers claim four golds: Penalty goal sinks Pakistan in soccer ISLAMABAD, March 30: After Monday's vibrant opening, action began in earnest in the SAF Games with Pakistan picking up three gold medals in karate on an eventful first day of competitions. ... Waseem's availability in doubt LAHORE, March 30: The question about exactly when hockey Olympian Waseem Ahmad will recover from a hairline fracture he received at a pool match against India ... All praise for opening ceremony ISLAMABAD, March 30: A day after the spectacular opening ceremony of the 9th SAF Games, players, officials and spectators heaped praise on the organizers for making intelligent use of modern technology. ... Champion Agassi routs Mirnyi, Serena in last 8 MIAMI, March 30: Defending champion Andre Agassi wasted little time in dispatching Max Mirnyi of Belarus at the Nasdaq-100 Open on Monday, wrapping up a 6-2 6-2 third round victory in just 52 minutes. ...

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