Misbah-Sami stand saves Pakistan blushes, frustrates India

NEW DELHI, Nov 22: A magnificent rearguard action from stylish Misbah-ul-Haq and tail-ender Mohammad Sami rescued Pakistan from complete disaster on the opening day of the first Test against India at the Ferozshah Kotla Ground here on Thursday.

Misbah-ul-Haq, with a gutsy knock of 71, put on a splendid fighting partnership of 68 with comeback kid Mohammad Sami to give Pakistan some breathing space as the tourists reached 210 for eight before play ended due to fading light with 4.2 overs yet to be bowled.

Misbah, who easily surpassed his previous best score of 41 against South Africa at Lahore last month in Thursday’s innings, has hit four fours and one six off Harbhajan Singh in his 204-ball innings that has seen him bat so far for four hours and 26 minutes.

While Misbah’s dedication was expected from a player of his experience, it was Sami’s dogged resistance that deserves praise not only from the Pakistan supporters, but also from his red-faced team-mates. The pacer who for long has harboured hopes of becoming a solid batsman, tackled the Indian bowling well and was still at the crease with a hard-fought 20 to his name.

Earlier, Anil Kumble couldn’t have asked for a better start to his captaincy tenure as the Indians reduced Pakistan to 59-3 in no time after Shoaib Malik, fearing the prospect of having to bat in the fourth innings, chose to bat first after winning the toss.

But in hindsight, that decision was debatable because the conditions at the start of play were ideal for seam bowling because of the heavy smog. Considering Pakistan’s strength is pace with Sohail Tanvir, who became the 188th Test debutant on Thursday, joining Shoaib Akhtar and Sami in a three-pronged attack, Malik may rue his decision as this game progress from here on.

Pakistan needed a solid start from their openers, Salman Butt and Yasir Hameed, but the first wicket fell within 21 minutes of the start when Zaheer Khan made the first breakthrough.The left-arm paceman bowled Salman – still deserted by Test form – for just one as the left-hander was found caught on the crease while attempting to cut a ball that nipped back into him.

While the opening stand yielded just 13 runs, Younis Khan didn’t last long either. The man, who had been a real thorn in India’s side, having amassed 1061 runs in the past six Tests against them, literally threw his wicket away at a crucial stage.

Despite knowing the trap was laid out for him, Younis (7) still chose to hook a well-directed Zaheer bouncer, but only managed to top-edge straight down to Munaf Patel’s throat at fine leg. The stroke was never on because the Pakistan vice-captain had played forward, but all credit to Zaheer for outsmarting his victim.

Yasir, who occupied the crease for more than a hour and a half, was shaping well until he completely mis-read a Kumble ball that straightened enough to hit the off-stump as the batsman attempted a half-hearted drive.

Yasir also had the honour of striking the first boundary of the series, hit four more before his 66-ball stay came to an abrupt end.

Yousuf, on whom now so much depended, was still battling to get himself settled down for a long innings when lunch was taken with the tourists precariously placed at 74-3.

But almost immediately after the break, Kumble pulled off the biggest coup when Saurav Ganguly vindicated his captain’s faith in his gentle medium-paced bowling by scalping Yousuf for 27.

The master batsman unwisely went to work the first ball he faced after lunch while moving across to an incoming delivery that pitched outside the off-stump.

Malik appeared very nervous and could have gone first-ball in the same Ganguly over but umpire Simon Taufel indicated the ball would have probably missed the leg stump.

Unfortunately for Pakistan their captain failed to trouble the scorers when a tentative push was edged behind with Mahendra Singh Dhoni bringing off a smart catch to give the hardworking Munaf Patel his first wicket of the innings.

An error in judgment caused Kamran Akmal’s downfall when Kumble hurried a straight ball that crept very low to hit the off-stump as the wicket-keeper went back instead of playing forward. That dismissal meant a lot to Kumble, who is playing only his 6th Test at the Kotla, since it made him the first Indian bowler to take 50 wickets at one particular venue.

Sohail Tanvir’s first Test innings lasted only 16 deliveries before Harbhajan Singh nabbed the left-hander with a quicker ball. TV replays suggested that that it might have pitched outside the leg stump, but umpire Billy Doctrove was equally swift in raising the index finger of his left hand.

The situation merited someone giving the adhesive Misbah the support that was the need of the hour. But Shoaib Akhtar failed to come good and his wild heave at Kumble sent him on his away pretty soon.

In walked Sami with almost all hope lost for the struggling Pakistanis and the shadows lengthening at the ground. The Karachi pacer, however, looked determined in his approach from the very first delivery he faced. Putting most of his team-mates to shame, Sami defended stoutly while allowing Misbah enough chance to score priceless runs.

The frustration on the Indian faces was quite visible as the partnership grew from strength to strength and brought a welcome respite for the visitors.

The selectors’ perseverance with the 33-year-old Misbah may have finally vindicated their trust in his abilities to come good at the highest level as he held the innings together in a matured knock.

After a spate of criticism for his inability to convert good starts into big knocks, Misbah showed great character while marshalling the recovery operation that has so far lasted shade over two hours.

A total in the vicinity of 250 would be competitive for Pakistan, provided the new ball is not wasted when it is India’s turn to bat.

Scoreboard

PAKISTAN 1st INNS:

Salman Butt b Zaheer 1

Yasir Hameed b Kumble 29

Younis Khan c Patel b Zaheer 7

Mohammad Yousuf lbw Ganguly 27

Misbah-ul-Haq not out 71

Shoaib Malik c Dhoni b Patel 0

Kamran Akmal b Kumble 30

Sohail Tanvir lbw Harbhajan 4

Shoaib Akhtar b Kumble 2