LAHORE, April 6: Pakistan enjoyed what was easily their best day of the series against India thanks to well-crafted centuries by skipper Inzamamul Haq and the left-handed opener Imran Farhat on the second day of the second Test at the Qadhafi Stadium on Tuesday.

On a hot and humid day, Indian bowlers toiled in the sun as Pakistan finished at 355 for three in reply to India's first innings total of 287. The hosts currently lead by 68 runs with seven wickets still intact.

Inzamam, who scored his 19th century in his 93rd Test, was batting on 118 while vice-captain Yousuf Youhana had 62 runs against his name. The unbroken fourth wicket stand has so far realized 150 runs.

With the wicket so placid and Pakistan's two prime batsmen still together, the home side are in the box seat and could put India under pressure by securing a huge first innings advantage.

In the entire day's proceedings, India were only able to claim the scalps of Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed - one each in the first two sessions - while Pakistan progressed steadily from the overnight 61 for one to add 294 runs in the day's full quota of 90 overs.

Imran and Yasir both threw their wickets playing loose shots, especially the latter who missed out giving skipper Rahul Dravid a regulation catch at second slip chasing a wide delivery from Ajit Agarkar.

Young Imran, apart from a couple of rash strokes, batted patiently until his impetuosity got the better of him soon after reaching his second Test hundred. He too flashed at a wide delivery to be caught behind off Lakshmipathy Balaji, having countered 204 balls and struck 14 fours.

Inzamam began slowly, avoiding expansive strokes, to reach his first century against India - and his first as captain - with a swept boundary of the luckless Anil Kumble, Pakistan's tormentor in the Multan Test who went wicketless on Tuesday while conceding 106 runs from 28 overs.

It was certainly Inzamam's one of the most disciplined innings and never offered a semblance of chance. So far he has struck 14 fours. Youhana too was careful from the outset of his innings but took full toll of loose deliveries. He was especially severe on Agarkar hitting the medium pacer twice for fours off two successive overs.

The Indian attack lacked penetration but the bowlers stuck to the task, making Pakistan batsmen fight for runs on a strip that is getting flatter and flatter. The only problem for the batsmen was to cope with the occasional deliveries that kept low.

Kumble and Irfan Pathan, who was also successful in Multan, looked anything but menacing. Balaji was the pick of the bowlers and on a couple of occasions beat the bat without getting the desired results.

With nine sessions or a minimum of 270 overs still left in the Test, and if Pakistan managed to take a lead of over 200 runs, the Indians could find themselves struggling to save the match.

Scoreboard

INDIA (1st Innings) 287 (Yuvraj Singh 112; Umar Gul 5-31).

PAKISTAN (1st Innings, overnight 61-1):

Imran Farhat c Patel b Balaji 101

Taufiq Umar b Balaji 24

Yasir Hameed c Dravid b Agarkar 19

Inzamamul Haq not out 118

Yousuf Youhana not out 62

EXTRAS (LB-15, W-3, NB-13) 31

TOTAL (for three wkts, 113 overs) 355

FALL OF WKTS: 1-47, 2-95, 3-205.

TO BAT: Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria.

BOWLING (to-date): Irfan Pathan 30-10-68-0 (5nb, 1w); Balaji 26-9-63-2 (1nb, 2w); Agarkar 18-4-68-1; Kumble 28-2-106-0 (5nb); Tendulkar 7-1-20-0 (1nb); Yuvraj Singh 3-0-7-0; Sehwag 1-0-8-0 (1nb).

Opinion

Editorial

After the deluge
Updated 16 Jun, 2024

After the deluge

There was a lack of mental fortitude in the loss against India while against US, the team lost all control and displayed a lack of cohesion and synergy.
Fugue state
16 Jun, 2024

Fugue state

WITH its founder in jail these days, it seems nearly impossible to figure out what the PTI actually wants. On one...
Sindh budget
16 Jun, 2024

Sindh budget

SINDH’S Rs3.06tr budget for the upcoming financial year is a combination of populist interventions, attempts to...
Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...