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| August 07, 2006 | Monday | Rajab 11, 1427 |
The day Inzamam failed to get his leg over
LEEDS, Aug 6: It was a memorable day for Pakistan. Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf compiled a record partnership that brought Pakistan back into this match. Inzamam-ul-Haq, meanwhile, failed to get his leg over.
Pakistan's captain entered the arena ready for battle, bristling with aggression. First he settled a score with Steve Harmison, who embarrassed him at Old Trafford, immediately cutting him and then pulling him for four.
Both shots were masterclasses in how to swat a fly. “On this pitch,” Inzamam was saying to Harmison, “I will swat you out of the attack.” And he did.
Inzamam's next victim was his vice-captain, who by then was approaching a masterful double hundred. Inzamam nudged Paul Collingwood to midwicket, set off for a run, hesitated, and Younis was a few inches short.
This unleashed an unfortunate series of events. Faisal Iqbal missed his first ball and became Collingwood's only Test victim in sixty-four overs of innocuous seamers. The ball kept low but at Collingwood's pace Faisal will be disappointed.
If Younis and Faisal were sulking over their dismissals their captain’s next performance might have made them laugh, although Inzamam was not amused.
Playing for tea against Monty Panesar, Inzamam attempted a swivelling sweep on bended-knee. The ball struck him in the chest but its force was enough to upset his delicate bended-knee balance. Pakistan’s captain tottered and then capsized — back over his stumps. Inzamam's desperation to clear the stumps with tree-trunk legs was futile. His arm had already clipped the bails. Inzamam's stomach, to great relief, had sailed clear.
Three wickets tumbled for four runs in ten balls. Luckily, Pakistan were in contention by then thanks to the Two Ys, who accumulated 363 runs for the third wicket, the seventh highest Test partnership of all time and the record partnership for Pakistan against England.
Of batting pairs who have scored over 2500 runs, the Two Ys are second only to Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe. Their average of 85 is only three behind the English legends.
It was a magnificent union born in the depression of Saturday. Younis set the tempo in one aggressive over from Sajid Mahmood when he launched himself into three boundaries, stating his relish for the fight.
Yousuf began edgily but a reprieve by Collingwood at second slip when he was on five helped him regain his Zen-like composure.
On Sunday morning, Pakistan began on 202 and when Yousuf was finally caught off his glove fending a sharp leg-side lifter from Harmison they had taken the score to 399 and Pakistan to dominance.
For three sessions in total, the Two Ys ruled Headingley. Their defence was immaculate and England's bowlers were clueless. Yet every loose ball was put away and the run-rate rattled along at four an over. This was a delightful charge for victory.
It was also one of the greatest partnerships in Pakistan's Test history. After the desperate collapse at Old Trafford, England's huge first innings total, and the quick demise of the team's openers, the Two Ys were under immense pressure.
Behind them stood Inzamam, and behind him stood a potential flood of wickets that would drown Pakistan's hopes.
Younis was back and forward with panache and an extravagant flourish, exhibiting his trademark aerial square-cut at every opportunity. The higher he leapt the greater the force he generated. Meanwhile, Yousuf was all tranquillity, economy of movement, and perfect touch. One over from Harmison did disturb him though. Two short balls ripped at his throat.
Younis walked down the track, a quick word, and a touch of gloves. The next ball was full and Yousuf drove it deliciously to the square boundary, serenity restored.
This was a partnership to remember and every Pakistan supporter and every admirer of classical batsmanship should cherish it.
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