January 17, 2006	Tuesday	Zilhaj 16, 1426

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LAHORE, Jan 16: Indian batting star Virender Sehwag’s undefeated opening stand of 403 with skipper Rahul Dravid is a message for Pakistan that India are here to win.

Both Sehwag (247) and Dravid (128) are only 13 runs away from beating a world record first wicket partnership on the fourth day of the first Test, which is heading for a draw, at Qadhafi Stadium on Monday.

“Obviously we are here to win and our performance is showing we are capable of it and if we have result oriented pitches we will be the winners,” Sehwag said.

Asked to compare Pakistan bowling with India, Sehwag said “the difference is clear. Our bowlers claimed seven wickets while the home team failed to get even a single one as there is nothing on the scoreboard for them”.

He said that Pakistan main strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar did not come up to the expectation of his team.

Shoaib Akhtar, however, was the only bowler who was economical, on such a flat strip, as he conceded only 45 runs in 15 overs including six maidens.

Sehwag, who is on the way to score his second triple century in his 40th Test, said a batsman was always happy over playing any kind of wicket but he would be happier if it were a result oriented one.

“The pitch is totally dead and it will be a drawn game at the end and I consider the last day of the match to be only an opportunity for the batsmen to practice,” he said.

He dispelled the impression that he was not so aggressive as he was at Multan in 2004 when he scored his highest total of 309.

“I think I scored faster in Lahore because in Multan I scored runs in two days but here only 75 overs are on the board while a day has 90 overs,” he said.

Asked with what degree of passion he plays against Pakistan, Sehwag said that the matches between the two countries were always competitive and like other players he also tried to perform against Pakistan.

He scored two double centuries besides a triple century against Pakistan.

Sehwag disclosed that he and Dravid came to know about their march towards breaking the world record when they came off the field.

“In the middle we have to focus our minds on the game. But we will try to score more runs on the last day,” he said.

He said that short breaks due to inclement weather had played no role in helping him play a long innings, saying a longer stay was more helpful in keeping one’s concentration.

Sehwag was of the view that Pakistan were defensive and so they prepared the placid pitch.

“As Pakistan had lost the first Test in Multan in 2004 they might be more conscious and defensive and therefore did not prepare a result-oriented track for the first Test,” he said.

Sehwag said that a formidable total always imposed pressure on the other side, no matter how flat a wicket.

“Our first priority is to avoid the follow-on and I think we are around the corner and it will be a drawn game,” he said.