Pakistan build lead

Pakistan are in a solid position to take the first test against India today after building a 167 run lead by the end of day three.

Although the series opener between the two rivals is still very much in the balance, Pakistan did an excellent job on in Delhi to limit India’s star batting line-up to 276 and a first innings lead of 45.

On the morning of day three, Laxman and Kumble were given the task of rebuilding the Indian innings, with a lead of just three runs.

Kumble made an honourable 24 before being outclassed by a beautiful delivery from Kaneria and Harbhajan Singh lasted just the four deliveries before being bowled by Sohail Tanvir in his Test debut.

Zaheer Khan managed nine valuable runs and including a six off Kaneria and Patel was given out LBW the first ball he faced, leaving Laxman standard on 72 not out in a fine back to the wall innings.

Kaneria was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, taking 4-59 and Shoaib Akhtar did well, taking 2-44 including both Indian openers. Tanvir had a first class debut as well with three wickets including the prize one of Rahul Dravid.

Pakistan started their second innings excellently, a 71 run opening partnership just what the doctor ordered. Butt announced his intentions early with a four off the second ball of the innings and Yasir Hameed showed similar intent at the other end.

It took a brilliant piece of fielding by Laxman to end the partnership just when the match was starting to get away from India. Hameed on 36 played a defensive stroke off the bowling of Anil Kumble and Laxman, at silly point, showed magnificent reflexes to catch the ball and send Hameed on his way.

Butt continued scoring without his opening partner and with Younis Khan, helped take the score past 100 with a 13 run over off Munaf Patel that included three punishing fours.

With the score on 1-114, Kumble struck again and had Khan trapped LBW for 23. Yousuf, the next man in, didn’t enjoy the same luck that had been afforded to him in his stellar season last year and was caught and bowled by Harbhajan Singh for 18.

Kumble continued his good work and removed the danger man, Butt for 67 when he had the batsman caught at first slip and Shoaib Malik only managed 11 before being bowled by Harbhajan. It was an unlucky piece of cricket for the touring captain, after he edged the delivery onto his pads which then bounced onto the stumps.

Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq then proceeded to put on a much needed 51 run partnership to extend the lead to 167 before happily accepting the light from the umpires.

The match has all the makings of a classic and cricket fans have been spared from the recent bat-a-thons seen around the world. With a lead of 167 with five wickets to spare going into day four, they will be slight favourites to take the first match but with India’s formidable batting line-up to come, that is far from certainty.

Pakistan 231
Misbah-ul-Haq 82
Anil Kumble 4-38, Zaheer Khan 2-45

India 276
VVS Laxman 72*, MS Dhoni 57
Danish Kaneria 4-59, Sohail Tanvir 3-83

Pakistan 5-212
Salman Butt 67
Anil Kumble 3-55, Harbhajan Singh 2-51

Pakistan lead by 167 runs with 5 wickets in hand