BANGALORE, March 27: Bangalore may well see what captain Inzamamul Haq wanted while going into his 100th Test — a victory that would help his team square the three-match series. But that would largely depend on how his mediocre attack fares after Pakistan finished the fourth day of the third Test in the driving seat on Sunday.
Opener Shahid Afridi set the pace with a fiery 26-ball 58 and Yasir Hameed and Younis Khan also stroked fluent fifties as Pakistan made a blazing start to their second innings, hammering their way to 261-2 declared, setting India a target of 383 runs.
In the six overs before the close, openers Ghautam Ghambir (19) and Virender Sehwag (6) had helped India to 25 for no loss with the hosts needing another 358 runs for victory with a full day’s play remaining.
Paceman Muhammad Sami got hit for 18 runs in the three overs that he bowled in failing light while Abdul Razzaq was more economical in conceding only seven in as many overs.
Pakistan dominated a good part of the day after India, who conceded a lead of 121 runs, were bowled out for 449 half an hour after lunch in their first innings having begun the day at the overnight score of 379-6.
Afridi gave the home bowlers a taste of his flashing blade, smashing seven four and two sixes, providing just the kind of start that was needed as he put on 91 runs for the first wicket with Yasir Hameed.
In an awesome batting display he struck seamer Irfan Pathan for a six and two fours in one over to indicate his intentions. But shortly after scoring his half century, which was the fastest by a Pakistani batsman in Tests, he fell while attempting to loft Sachin Tendulkar only to be stumped by wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthick.
Yasir, more watchful than Afridi, contributed a useful 92 runs for the second wicket with Younis. Some fine shot selection had seen him reach 76 that had seven fours and a six. However he was caught in front by leg-spinner Anil Kumble in the 39th over of the innings.
Younis and Inzamam, having tormented India with their massive knocks of 267 and 184 in the first innings, produced some fireworks in a third wicket stand of 78 runs before the declaration came after exactly 50 overs.
Inzamam finished on 31 not out while Younis who had batted for 147 minutes and faced 98 deliveries remained unbeaten with a well-played 84, an innings featuring 10 fine boundaries.
The Indian tail was up and wagging at lunch with Laxman and Kumble frustrating the touring bowlers, sharing a 53-run partnership for the 10th wicket which was a Bangalore record.
For Pakistan the day had started quite well though as Sami and Kaneria did the early morning mopping up by picking up three quick wickets after India resumed their innings at 379 for six.
But then Laxman, not out 51 overnight, together with Kumble added useful runs to carry India through the first session to 446-9 by the break when they trailed by 124 runs.
Pakistan’s first success was the wicket of Irfan Pathan who gave a dolly catch to Yousuf Youhana at point in the 5th over of the morning, and shortly afterwards Harbhajan Singh (1) was shown the door by Kaneria, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq obliging the bowler with a confident catch at mid on.
Laxmipathy Balaji too was sent on his way cheaply and it looked as if Pakistan were virtually done with the job. But Kumble and Laxman had other ideas and narrowed the deficit. They were also helped by two dropped catches.
Kumble, on 7 was put down by Kamran Akmal behind the stumps, Razzaq being the unlucky bowler and Younis gave Laxman a life when he was 70, dropping him in the slips off Sami.
The two however stayed on for almost an hour and a half and it was only when Shahid Afridi was introduced into the attack that the stand was finally broken much to the relief of Inzamam as the Indian innings ended just about half an hour after lunch with the home side still 121 behind.
Laxman, who plucked 11 fours in his fine 79 remained unbeaten for what was his highest score against Pakistan.
Fastest Test 50s
24 balls — J.H. Kallis (South Africa) v Zimbabwe at Cape Town in 2004-05 26 balls — Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) v India at Bangalore in 2004-05 26 balls – I.T. Botham (England) v India at New Delhi in 1981-82 27 balls — Yousuf Youhana (Pakistan) v South Africa at Cape Town in 2002-03 30 balls — Kapil Dev (India) v Pakistan at Karachi in 1982-83 31 balls –- W.J. Cronje (South Africa) v Sri Lanka at Centurion in 1997-98 32 balls – I.V.A. Richards (West Indies) v India at Kingston in 1982-83 32 balls – I.T. Botham (England) v New Zealand at The Oval in 1986
