BANGALORE, March 28: Captain Inzamamul Haq on Monday dedicated his team’s series-levelling victory in the third Test against India to Pakistanis.
“We play for Pakistan and this win is dedicated to all Pakistanis who have backed us through this tough series,” he told journalists at the post-match news conference.
“I am sure that this victory will give the boys a lot of confidence for the future because ours was a young side and remember we were the underdogs,” he said after Pakistan scored a memorable 168-run victory on the last day of the match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium to draw the three-match series 1-1.
“Our planning was to take wickets in the first session although we could achieve little success before lunch.
“But I was surprised the way Indian batsmen went defensive after the break. When they began doing so, my only option was to attack, and I am happy that were successful.”
Pakistan could manage only the wicket of opener Virender Sehwag in the first session after India began the day needing 358 runs for victory.
He praised Shahid Afridi who bowled splendidly to claim three wickets.
“He has always provide us breakthroughs in difficult situations and I am delighted that he was able to do that again, today.”
Inzamam, who scored a powerful 184 in the first innings of the Test, which was his 100th appearance, also appreciated the efforts of his other bowlers including pacer Muhammad Sami and spinners Danish Kaneria and Arshad Khan.
“Sami needed confidence; he could not get many wickets in the series but in Bangalore he bowled well.”
Meanwhile, Indian captain Saurav Ganguly admitted that he was disappointed to have lost the Test.
“Obviously I am very disappointed because we were one down at lunch and in a good position to save the Test and win the series. A few good balls and not good batting took the match away from us.”
“But I must give credit to the Pakistan team for I thought they bowled very well. We lost too many wickets after tea, four wickets in a session which obviously puts a lot of pressure on us,” he said.
Asked if there was any danger to his captaincy owing to his poor form with the bat, he remarked:
“I have led the side for 40 odd Tests and it is up to the selectors to decide.”
Ganguly who was out for one in the first innings of the match and managed only two runs in the second, predicted a close one-day series.
“Yes I think it will be tough but I will try and put my best foot forward.”
