Bangalore, Dec 10: Pakistan relied on a gritty batting
display to break India's strangehold in the third and
final cricket Test with the visitors needing just 58
runs to avoid the follow-on here today.
Resuming at the overnight score of 86 for one, most of
the top order Pakistani batsmen came up with useful
contributions to fight their way back into the game on a
benign M Chinnaswamy stadium track which gave little
assistance to the bowlers.
The in-form Misbah-ul Haq (54) and wicket-keeper batsman
Kamran Akmal (32) were at the crease at stumps on the
third day with the tourists reaching 369 for five and
looking quite confident to avert the threat of the
follow on with five wickets still intact.
Apart from Misbah, Salman Butt (68) and Younis Khan (80)
were the main scorers for Pakistan who desperately need
to win the match to level the three-match series 1-1.
The Indians, who amassed a mammoth first innings total
of 626, will not be under any pressure to push for a
victory as even a draw will give them their first Test
series win on home soil against Pakistan in 28 years.
With the pitch showing no signs of deteriorating, the
Indians found the going tough with none of the bowlers
being able to make much of an impact.
The large number of 70 extras, including 31 byes, only
compounded the misery for the home team who now need a
miracle to stop the match from heading towards a tame
draw. (Agencies)...
Scorecard
|
