Paceman Shoaib Akhtar and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria bowled Pakistan to a series leveling nine-wicket victory yesterday on the fourth day of the second cricket test against India.
Akhtar claimed two wickets, while Kaneria mopped up the tail with three scalps in five deliveries to dismiss India for 241 in the second innings after the tourists resumed at a precarious overnight score of 149 for five.
Needing 40 runs for victory, Pakistan lost first inning century-maker Imran Farhat (9) to a brilliant Yuvraj Singh catch at point off a Laxmipathy Balaji ball. Taufeeq Umar (14 not out) and Yasir Hameed (16 not out) both hit three boundaries each to finish off the match less than 30 minutes after lunch.
"The hardwork of the boys have brought the smile back to my face," said Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who not only lost the one-day series against India 3-2 but also the opening test by an innings and 52 runs in his hometown Multan last week.
Pakistan got a massive first innings lead of 202 runs after scoring 489 in reply to India's first innings effort of 287.
Akhtar removed Virender Sehwag (90) in his fourth over of the morning as the hard-hitting Indian opener added only four to his overnight score. Three balls later, Irfan Pathan lobbed an easy catch to Umar in the slips off Akhtar's short delivery to make it 160 for seven.
Parthiv Patel and Ajit Agarkar then raised the highest partnership of the innings to add 75 runs off 86 balls for the eighth wicket. Agarkar scored all but four of his 36 runs in boundaries before Kaneria got the last three wickets.
RSS