Pakistan rode on Misbah-ul-Haq's fighting half-century to boost their chances of avoiding a follow-on in the third and final Test against India in Bangalore yesterday.
The tourists were 369-5 in their first innings at stumps on the third day in reply to India's mammoth 626, needing just 58 more runs to avert the follow-on.
Misbah (54-not-out) and Kamran Akmal (32-not-out), who made centuries in a similar situation in the previous Test at Kolkata, rallied Pakistan with an unfinished 81-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Pakistan were in trouble at 288-5 before Misbah and Akmal denied India further success with their responsible knocks. Misbah has so far struck eight fours in his second half-century.
India also made a dubious record of conceding 70 extras, their previous highest being 60 against England in 1979.
The hosts lead 1-0 in the series following their six-wicket win in the opening Test in New Delhi. The second match ended in a draw.
Pakistan were strongly placed at 221-2 before stand-in captain Younis Khan was bowled attempting a reverse-sweep off spinner Harbhajan Singh, starting a slide that saw his team lose three crucial wickets in the space of 67 runs.
Younis, leading the team in a second successive Test in the absence of unfit Shoaib Malik, batted confidently during his 156-ball 80 before he fell playing one reverse-sweep too many.
■ SRI LANKA V ENGLAND
AFP. COLOMBO
Hosts Sri Lanka warded off England's early threat as the rivals waged a grim struggle to take control of the second cricket Test in Colombo yesterday.
Sri Lanka, replying to England's first innings total of 351, recovered from 22-2 to post 105 without further loss by close of the second day's play at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Opener Michael Vandort and skipper Mahela Jayawardene frustrated England's bid to run through the top order by adding 83 runs for the unbroken third wicket.
Left-handed Vandort was unbeaten on 50 and Jayawardene was on 43 on a batsman-friendly wicket that is expected to assist spin towards the end of what has turned out to be an absorbing match.
England, seeking a series-leveling win after losing the first Test in Kandy by 88 runs last week, battled with both bat and ball in a bid to seize the advantage.
Wicket-keeper Matthew Prior hit a second successive half-century and put on 74 runs for the eighth wicket with tailender Ryan Sidebottom (17) after England were struggling at 272-7 within the first hour of play.
Prior followed his 63 in the Kandy Test with a defiant 79 before he was last man out to Muttiah Muralitharan.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
RSS