MOHALI, March 11: Pakistan face an uphill task to save the first Test against India at the Punjab Cricket Association Ground on Friday despite a record century stand by captain Inzamamul Haq and Yousuf Youhana.
Although managing to wipe out India’s first innings lead of 204, the touring side were just 53 runs ahead in their second innings, having been reduced to a precarious 257 for six by the close. Abdul Razzaq was batting on 22 and with him was Kamran Akmal, on 9.
Inzamam and Youhana, both of whom struck half centuries waged a brave battle to help Pakistan out of trouble after another top order let down saw the side reeling at 10 for three inside five overs.
Later Asim Kamal, who top scored in the first innings with a fine 91, tried to do his bit but his dismissal for 48 left the tourists looking for Godly help.
Leg spinner Danish Kaneria, bowling brilliantly, had earlier mopped up the last four Indian wickets for 516 after the home team had begun the fourth day at 447-6.
Lakshmipathy Balaji, following his five-wicket haul in the first innings, inflicted two quick blows when Pakistan batted. He first earned a controversial caught and bowled decision against opener Taufiq Umar for 4, and then dispatched vice captain Younis Khan who had barely got off the mark in the fourth over.
And soon Salman Butt was dismissed too as he ducked in bizarre manner off a rising Irfan Pathan delivery only to be taken by wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik.
Inzamam and Youhana, Pakistan’s most experienced batting pair, then shared a record century partnership for the fourth wicket for the eighth time as they surpassed the Australian Waugh brothers Steve and Mark, both of whom had seven stands for this wicket.
After being a poor 52 for three at lunch, Inzamam, the more aggressive of the two batsmen, got to his 38th Test fifty off only 53 balls before falling to the guile of leg spinner Anil Kumble, who won an lbw shout shortly before the tea break. The captain, who scored a brilliant 86 struck 10 fours and a six to Kumble and put on 139 runs with Youhana.
Youhana, 47 not out at tea with Pakistan on 150 for four, collected his 22nd half century soon after the interval and continued to bat with confidence. Together with Asim, who was dropped twice, he kept picking up runs.
His fine innings of 68 ended when he played Kumble on to his stumps in the 50th over.
The left-handed Asim, was put down by Kumble and then by Rahul Dravid, early on in his innings but settled down to hammer six boundaries and a six.
Balaji, took the major share of wickets, claiming three for 67 while Kumble captured two for 76 and Irfan picked up one wicket.
Earlier, Kaneria, took the four remaining Indian wickets including the prize scalp of Laxman, as India were bowled out an hour before lunch.
Kaneria whose figures of 150-6 were the second best at this ground by a spinner, removed overnight batsman Irfan Pathan for 30, Kamran Akmal stumping him as the batsman ventured out of his crease.
Soon Laximapthay Balaji too was sent on his way after scoring 31 runs.
Laxman, 33 overnight completed his 21st fifty in 62 Tests but was bowled by Kaneria, a delivery that came in sharply and deceived the batsman.
His departure for 58 with India on 516-9 virtually heralded the end of the innings as only two balls later Zaheer Khan was caught and bowled by the leggie. It was Kaneria’s ninth five-wicket haul in 24 Tests.
Pacer Muhammad Sami took two for 120 in his 36 overs while Rana Navedul Hasan claimed one for 133 runs.
Abdul Razzaq, who did not ball on Friday, also had only one wicket to show for his 26 overs.
Scoreboard
PAKISTAN (1st Innings) 312 (Asim Kamal 91, Inzamamul Haq 57; L. Balaji 5-76).
INDIA (1st Innings, overnight 447-6):
G. Gambhir c Naved b Kaneria 41
V. Sehwag c Youhana b Razzaq 173
R. Dravid c Asim b Sami 50
S.R. Tendulkar c Asim b Naved 94
S.C. Ganguly c Salman b Kaneria 21
V.V.S. Laxman b Kaneria 58
K.D.D. Karthik c Naved b Sami 6
Irfan Pathan st Kamran b Kaneria 13
L. Balaji c Kamran b Kaneria 31
A. Kumble not out 1
Zaheer Khan c and b Kaneria 0
EXTRAS (B-1, LB-5, W-1, NB-21) 28
TOTAL (all out, 147.4 overs) 516
FALL OF WKTS: 1-113, 2-216, 3-334, 4-381, 5-417, 6-444, 7-465, 8-507, 9-516.
BOWLING: Mohammad Sami 36-6-120-2 (14nb); Rana Navedul Hasan 32-1-133-1 (3nb, 1w); Abdul Razzaq 26-1-107-1 (4nb); Danish Kaneria 53.4-12-150-6.
PAKISTAN (2nd Innings):
Salman Butt c Karthik b Pathan 5
Taufiq Umar c and b Balaji 4
Younis Khan b Balaji 1
Yousuf Youhana b Kumble 68
Inzamamul Haq lbw b Kumble 86
Asim Kamal lbw b Balaji 48
Abdul Razzaq not out 22
Kamran Akmal not out 9
EXTRAS (B-2, LB-10, W-1, NB-1) 14
TOTAL (for six wkts, 74 overs) 257
FALL OF WKTS: 1-6, 2-10, 3-10, 4-149, 5-193, 6-243.
