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Dravid's 270 leads Indian dominance

Friday, April 16 2004

It was most definitely Dravid's day at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as he advanced to a career-best 270 to further stake his claim as one of the elite batsmen in world cricket. Now India are set to end the frustration of elusive overseas victory, having taken control of the third and final Test of their first tour of Pakistan in six years. At stumps on day three, Pakistan still trail their tourists and neighbours by 327 runs with just eight second innings wickets in hand.

The Indians followed on from their fine efforts on day one and two to settle into a dominant position with two days remaining in the game. Resuming on 342/4, Dravid and Ganguly increased their fifth wicket partnership from 81 runs to 131 until the Indian captain was run out by substitute Imran Nazir for 77. Dravid started slowly and cautiously, but gradually found his rhythm, pacing his innings to the best benefit of his team.

Despite the strong performance of the Indian batting, the Pakistani bowlers continued to charge in and bowl as purposefully as you can in ultimately conceding 600 runs. Shoaib Akhtar ended up bowling only 21.2 overs of the total of 177.2, due to lower-back pain. The in-form Yuvraj Singh (47) struggled at times in his innings, especially against Kaneria, off whom he was mistumped. He settled in though and got a few shots away before being quieted once more by accurate bowling. Finally he was adjudged out LBW to Sami, although the ball appeared to have pitched outside leg-stump. Dravid brought up his double hundred from 424 balls and stood on 227 at tea.

After tea Dravid looked to set about the bowling somewhat in pushing for a declaration. His strokes were executed with true class and he hit 34 boundaries and a lovely lofted six in total until finally dragging on an attempted reverse sweep. The Indian innings closed at 600 all out and Imran Farhat (2 for 69) and Danish Kaneria (2 for 178) were the main wicket-takers of the day.

Batting very much to save the game, Taufeeq Umar and Imran Farhat faced some initially erratic bowling from Pathan and Balaji adding 30 runs for the first wicket. Both then parted a mere five balls between - Farhat (3) wafted at a Balaji delivery to be snared by Sehwag at first slip and Umar (13) was LBW to Pathan - 30/2. Nightwatchman Kamran Akmal (10 not out) and Yasir Hameed (8 not out) saw their team to the close without any further drama. Pakistan will resume on day four with a huge task ahead and the score at 49 for 2.

Match Summary:

Pakistan 1st innings 224 ao (72.5 overs)
(Mohammad Sami 49)
(L Balaji 4/63, IK Pathan 2/49, A Nehra 2/60)

India 1st innings 600 ao (177.2 overs)
(R Dravid 270, SC Ganguly 77, VVS Laxman 71, PA Patel 69)
(Shoaib Akhtar 3/47, Imran Farhat 2/69, Danish Kaneria 2/178)

Pakistan 2nd innings 49/2 (15 overs)
(Tafeeq Umar 13, Kamran Akmal 10 not out)
(IK Pathan 1/7, L Balaji 1/30)

Posted by Liam