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Pakistan take the edge

Thursday, September 4 2003

Pakistan took control at the end of the first day’s play of the Third Test match at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh closed at 248 for the loss of 6 wickets. Rajin Saleh was the last man out to a freak run out. Skipper Mahmud and wicket keeper Mashud are the not out batsmen.

Earlier, Mahmud opted to bat first on a green top against all speculations. His decision almost paid off as in form Habibul Bashar and Javed Omar took to the Pakistan attack at the fall of the first wicket. Pakistan has three debutantes in Farhan Adil, Salman Butt and Yasir Ali coming in place of Youhanna, Umer and Shoaib Akhter. Only Ali got into some action as he bowled one change, took the prize wicket of Bashar and had a hand, rather a leg in the late run out of Saleh at the end of the day. Saqlain Mushtaq makes a comeback in place of the underperforming Kaneria after nearly a year in international isolation.

Habibul Bashar continued on his great run of form scoring 72 with the help of nine boundaries. He was involved in a 74 run stand with opener Omar who scored 38. He was finally dismissed by debutante paceman Yasir Ali as he nicked one to Latif.

Rajin Saleh impressed many but his dismissal was foolish as he didn’t follow the ball and was a little relaxed as the day was ending. He scored a courageous 49, batting for three hours.

For Pakistan, Umer Gul got 3 wickets for 71 runs. Saqlain got the wicket of Ashraful, as the batsman didn’t play a shot to a turning delivery.

Pakistan will be hoping to get a clean sweep in order to get one place above their current position in the ICC Test Championship while Bangladesh will be fighting for a draw as a clean sweep will mean their points slipping to zero.




Posted by Isam