November 12, 2006	Sunday	Shawwal 19, 1427

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LAHORE, Nov 11: West Indian skipper Brian Lara said on Saturday that though his batsmen had peformed disappointingly on the first day, the Test was within their reach as his team had the potential to stage a comeback in the match.

Addressing newsmen in a post match press conference after his team was skittled out for 206 in first innings, Lara said the credit must also be given to Pakistani bowlers who took full advantage of the mornig moisture on the pitch.

"I was not expecting the seam of this kind today and I believe it was the major factor which troubled our batsmen," he said. “We lost our key batsmen like Ganga, Sarwan, and Chanderpaul in quick succession. But the game is not over. Four days are remaining and our bowlers will also try to get advantage of the morning moisture on the second day to bowl out Pakistan for a low total," Lara said.

"Jerome Taylor was bowling at a good pace while Fidel Edwards was also impressive but unluckily they could get only one wicket. But I do hope they will fare better on Sunday,” he said.

Defending his decision of opting to bat first, Lara said the pitch possessed no devils but the moisture made the difference and his batsmen also played some rash strokes.

The skipper admitted that to put pressure on the other side his team needed to put up a good score on the board, but West Indies would rebuild it for a fight back and his batsmen would play better in the second innings.

Lara, who scored a fluent 61 to hold the West Indies innings together, said he was still looking for that elusive century on Pakistan soil but “the most important thing for me is the performance of my boys and a win in the Test.”