M A T C H   U P D A T E

Pak on backfoot in Mohali Test

Mohali, March 8
India struck at regular intervals to push Pakistan on the back foot on the opening day of the first cricket Test at the PCA stadium here today, with the scoreboard reading 246 for 7 in the 72nd over. Pakistan were going at a run rate of 3.45 per over at this stage.

Pakistan were undone not only by the tidy bowling by the Indian seamers, but also due to some casual approach by their batsmen as they reached 191 for six in the first innings at tea.

Asim Kamal on 33 and wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal on zero were at the crease at that time. Later, a few over into the post-tea session, Anil Kumble scalped Akmal, who was caught by Dravid on 15.

The Indian bowlers justified captain Sourav Ganguly's decision to put the visitors in with a tidy line and length that fetched them handsome rewards on a pitch that offered generous movement.

Irfan Pathan was as usual immaculate in his swing and control to return with figures of two for 45 while Laxmipathy Balaji made a strong comeback to Test cricket with 2-46.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq played a typically effortless half century while leading the recovery from early damage when the team was reduced to 30 for two.

Inzamam's 57 was the backbone of the Pakistan innings and featured in a 59-run stand for the third wicket with opener Taufeeq Umar who made a valuable 44.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq hit a counter-attacking 26 in 24 balls with five fours, including three successive boundaries off leg-spinner Anil Kumble.

The hard-hitting middle-order batsman was dismissed when he fended at a harmless delivery from Balaji to be caught behind. — PTI