|
|
Change Your Life! |
Nazir, Wasim lift Pakistan with unbroken century stand |
|
News |
May 22, 2000
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, MAY 21 (AP) - Teen-ager Imran Nazir hit an unbeaten 94 and Mohammad Wasim collected a half century as Pakistan rallied against the West Indies Saturday from a first-innings deficit of 145.
By the close of the third day of the teams' second test, the tourists were 152 without loss, an overall lead of seven runs with two days remaining.
Earlier in the day, the West Indies stretched its overnight 253 for five to 398 all out, led by 19-year-old Ramnaresh Sarwan's undefeated 84 in his debut test. Off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was the best of the bowlers with five for 121 off 51 overs.
But the West Indies' advantage was wiped away in an extended final session as both young Pakistanis made full use of a favorable batting surface.
Nazir, in only his second test, was the most enterprising, lashing his first ball to the cover boundary and hitting 14 fours all told to all parts of the ground. He faced 123 balls in just under three hours.
The 22-year-old Wasim was more circumspect and struck just five fours off 119 deliveries in reaching 53 not out.
In the 40 overs in the Pakistan innings, West Indies captain used six bowlers but none managed to cause any alarm against the confident pair.
Nazir, 18, may become the third youngest batsman to notch a test century Sunday. Only fellow Pakistani Mushtaq Mohammad, against India in the fifth and final test in Delhi in February 1961, and current Indian star Sachin Tendulkar, against England in the second test at Manchester in August 1990, reached three figures in a test at a younger age when they were 17.
The day started more promisingly for the West Indies, with Sarwan and nightwatchman Curtly Ambrose extending their sixth-wicket partnership to 39 before Ambrose fell for 22.
Wasim Akram had the slender left-hander caught low at second slip by Younis Khan.
Wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs was removed shortly thereafter by Mushtaq, bowled off the inside edge as he tried to hit the off-spinner over the leg side field. Jacobs hit one four in scoring 10.
One run later, Akram's bouncer accounted for left-hander Nixon McLean, who fended to short leg.
But Sarwan remained defiant and the Guyanese brought up his half century 10 minutes before lunch by pushing his 137th delivery to mid-on for a single.
After the break Sarwan found useful allies in fast bowlers Reon King and Courtney Walsh, the trio adding 59 runs for the last two wickets.
King contributed just two but hung around for 55 minutes before Mushtaq had him caught at gully at the second attempt by Mushtaq Ahmed.
Walsh was more aggressive, swatting two fours and two sixes, one lash off Mushtaq reaching the top deck of the Hall and Griffith Stand at long on. The 37-year-old Walsh's 22 off 31 balls was his third highest test score in his 116th test match.
He eventually edged to wicketkeeper Moin Khan to provide Mushtaq with his 10th five-wicket haul in his 27th test.
Sarwan was left 16 short of a century on debut after batting 320 minutes, facing 232 balls and stroking eight boundaries. The Guyanese right-hander benefitted from two chances, one by Inzamam-ul-Haq at first slip off Abdur Razzaq on Friday when he was seven and then on 75, a return catch floored by Mushtaq.
Akram took two for 84 off 33 quality overs while new ball partner Waqar Younis captured two for 72 off 17 overs.
Pakistan were restricted by the absence of Razzaq for the entire day, the medium pacer confined to the dressing room with the flu.
|