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| December 4, 2005 | Sunday | Ziqa’ad 1, 1426 |
‘Flintoff wicket was special’
LAHORE, Dec 3: Pakistan’s leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who helped engineer another England defeat, described the ball that bowled Andrew Flintoff as one of the best of his career.
“It was one of the best I have bowled. It pitched on the perfect spot and turned just as much as it should have done to beat Flintoff’s forward prod. His wicket is always special for any bowler,” Kaneria said.
Kaneria has now taken 143 wickets in 31 Tests, said he had been plotting the all-rounder’s downfall since Friday night.
Kaneria, 24, bowled Flintoff first ball with a beautiful googly.
“I was very upset and down last night after I didn’t get a wicket on the fourth day. I spoke to my wife and she cheered me up and told me to concentrate and think about what I would like to do most in the match.”
“I thought about it and Flintoff was one wicket I wanted to take because he is a match winning player. It paid off.”
Flintoff who spearheaded England’s Ashes win with 24 wickets and 402 runs finished with 13 wickets and 125 runs at an average of just 20 in Pakistan.
“I think I have become a better bowler in this series. The 11 wickets I have taken I consider it as a big leap in my career.”
Kaneria was also instrumental in Pakistan’s 22-run win in Multan by taking four wickets on the final day. He got rid of Kevin Pietersen and Flintoff in the space of two balls on Saturday.
“Shoaib’s bowling at the other end also helped a lot,” he said.—Reuters
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