LAHORE (fourth day of five): India, with all first-innings wickets in hand, are 276 runs behind Pakistan
VIRENDER SEHWAG continued to have the Indian sign over Pakistan’s bowlers and Rahul Dravid chiselled out his first century as captain as the touring side went a long way towards erasing the memory of the pasting that their bowlers had been subjected to on the first two days.
By stumps on the fourth day, India were 403 for no wicket, ten runs short of the world-record first-wicket stand that Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy, their compatriots, put on against New Zealand in Madras 50 years ago.
Even by Sehwag’s buccaneering standards, his 247 not out was a special effort, more so because he hit only one six — a monster over long-on off Danish Kaneria — to accompany 46 scorching fours. Without taking undue risks, he dismantled a Pakistan attack that had built a huge reputation on the back of impressive displays against England.
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Shoaib Akhtar was treated with respect, but Kaneria, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Mohammad Sami were savaged as Sehwag, 96 overnight, brought up a 93-ball hundred — the quickest by an India opener — before cruising to 200 from 182 balls.
Pakistan contributed to their misfortune by dropping him twice, on 125 and 199, with Inzamam-ul-Haq, at first slip, and Shoaib Malik, at third man, putting down difficult chances.
Only Nathan Astle, of New Zealand, has reached a double century off fewer balls (153, against England in Christchurch in 2001-02) and, by the end, Pakistan’s bowlers and fielders were looking listless and frustrated. Kaneria gave away four overthrows with an angry shy at the stumps and Sami risked the match referee’s wrath with a few glares and some choice words, futile gestures considering that Sehwag was past 240 at the time.
Through it all, Dravid batted with the composure and impeccable technique that has led many to ask why he has not opened on a regular basis. Bouncers were disdainfully ignored, the strike rotated and loose balls put away with élan as he reached three figures in 202 balls. Thereafter, he also joined in the fun, crunching some beautiful drives as the scoreboard ticked over at frenzied pace. In the 48 overs available on another day disrupted by bad light, Sehwag and Dravid added 258 runs. The run-rate of 5.37 per over is more appropriate for a one-day game than a Test match.
The ruthless treatment meted out to bowlers from both teams also raised questions about the pitch, which Sehwag said was not good for Test cricket. The groundsman and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) defended themselves by pointing out the cold conditions, which had affected the pitch preparation, but their remarks merely diverted attention to the scheduling of the series.
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The first Test had been planned for Karachi, where conditions are more temperate, but India’s insistence on a warm-up match meant that the itinerary was revised. With the second Test to be played in Faisalabad — also in the Punjab, with conditions similar to Lahore — the outcome of the series could hinge on the toss in Karachi, where the third and final Test will now be played.
Inzamam and his team-mates had expressed their doubts about hosting Tests in the Punjab in January and Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, had spoken to the ICC about the possibility of six-day Tests to make up for the hours lost to poor light.
None of that mattered much to Sehwag, though, as he took his tally against Pakistan to an astonishing 1,229 runs in 11 innings, at an average of 122.9. Later he was as brutal with his words, suggesting that Pakistan’s team management did not have the gumption to prepare sporting pitches.
“We didn’t lose a wicket in our innings and that must tell you something about their bowling,” he said. “Shoaib (Akhtar) didn’t get a wicket and he hasn’t lived up to expectations. At least we got seven wickets — they haven’t got even one.”
KILLING FIELDS HOW THE RECORDS TUMBLED IN LAHORE