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Sehwag Blitz Rocks Pakistan

Monday, March 29 2004

The wait was now over. After 14 long years, India were finally playing a test match against Pakistan on Pakistan soil. But it was the explosive Virender Sehwag who was celebrating. His destructive display of power hitting rocked a clueless Pakistan.

With Sourav Ganguly out of the first test, it was Rahul Dravid's game as captain, and for the first time India won the toss in Ganguly's absence. Dravid had no hesitation in batting first on a Multan pitch with no grass coverage what so ever.

Saqlain was back for Pakistan and Kumble for India, as the two teams were just moments away from history being made. The two Indian openers strode out to the middle and looked to get India off to a positive start.

With Akash Chopra being the defensive foil, the butcher from Delhi, Virender Sehwag butchered anything which was short, full, outside off stump, on leg stump and left the Pakistani bowling lineup utterly clueless.

While Chopra was scoring at a strike rate of just under 30, Virender Sehwag was putting away both good and bad balls with equal ferocity to the boundary fence. As Chopra and Sehwag combined for a 160 run partnership, Virender Sehwag blasted Saqlain over the fence for six to bring up his sixth test century in style.

With Akash Chopra looking solid in the 40's, the gritty right hand opener was looking well set. However the big score would not come for Chopra as once again he was dismissed in the 40's as Saqlain Mushtaq got his first wicket after receiving a belting from Sehwag.

India's captain Rahul Dravid strode out to the middle, and gave Saqlain further stick as he was off the mark with a cracking boundary. However, Mohammad Sami had the last laugh as Dravid fell to the fiery fast bowler for just 6.

The only player to have last played in Pakistan for India in a test match strode out to the crease with the pressure eased slightly. Sachin Tendulkar looked comfortable, yet focussed as the two little batting dynamos paired up and feasted on the Pakistani bowling.

Tendulkar began immediately with two spanking boundaries to get started, whilst Sehwag reached his 150 at almost an astonishing run a ball strike rate. Sehwag's 150 was packed with 20 boundaries and an astonishing 5 sixes. Sehwag clearly not afraid to tackle any International bowler.

Tendulkar meanwhile appeared to be his calm, natural and focussed self. Tendulkar treated the Pakistani bowlers with respect while staying focussed on every delivery and hitting the bad ball away to the boundary.

With Tendulkar as his partner, Virender Sehwag registered his first ever test match double century, in what can be truly described as a huge honour for the young Indian opener. Sehwag reaching his 200 off an astonishing 222 balls with over with 26 boundaries and 5 sixes.

As Sehwag ran rampant, Tendulkar quietly was his masterful self. The little master notched up another test match half century to only solidify India's status going into day 2 at 2/356 at the end of day's play.

A truly wonderful batting performance by the Indian batsmen on day one against a very good Pakistani bowling lineup. Virender Sehwag was truly inspiring, and im sure most of India would want Sehwag to carry on and perhaps go past VVS Laxman's record of 281.

The Pakistani bowlers will have lots of thinking and planning to do overnight. With Sehwag on 228* and Sachin Tendulkar on 61* with VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh to come, India is on track for a massive score and a huge edge in this match.

Catch all the action of the second day's report here on http://www.cricketweb.net


Brief Score Summary:

India (1st Innings): 2/356 (Sehwag 228*, Tendulkar 61*, Chopra 42, Saqlain 1/123, Sami 1/54)


Posted by Sangrah