Ananthan struts his talent with five-wicket haul

Apart from the prize wicket of Anwar the Kerala skipper, who is never one to be overawed in big company, claimed Wasti, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Moin Khan, and Azhar Mahmood.

For one denied very limited opportunities this is his best performance against an international side bettering his three wicket haul against Australia last year. It was a reminder to the selectors that he still has a lot left in him.

The performance of the local hero left Anwar’s brilliant knock of 99 (115 balls, 211 minutes, 9×4, 3×6) in the shade. This delightful strokeplayer was inhis elements today taking charge after Shahid Afridi edged Debashish Mohanty to wicketkeeper MSK Prasad in the second ball of the day.

Along with Wasti, Anwar put on 139 runs for the second wicket. Wasti matched his senior partner stroke for stroke. Anwar played with a stamp of authority until he reached close to his century. He was caught by Mohd Kaif off Ananthan.

Yousaf Youhanna was all at sea against Ananthan. He was left off twice in quick succession, first by JP Yadav at slip and then by substitute Reetinder Singh at short mid wicket, before the batsman had reached double figures.Wasti got to his third first class half-century and looked good for more. Wasti and Youhana put on 71 runs for the third wicket when Youhanna fell to a super catch by Kanitkar at short cover. The batsman chased a wide one from Shukla and Kanitkar dived to complete a fine effort.

After tea it was Ananthan all the way. Prasad deputising for Kanitkar promptly handed the ball to Ananthan and the leggie did not disappoint.Wasti, who was dropped by Kaif, nibbled at one than turned across to Virender Sehwag at slip for a resourceful 88 (203 b, 257 m, 9×4, 1×6). Inzamam followed suit holing out to Shiv Sundar Das at long off and Azhar Mahmood failed to read a googly offering Kaif at silly point a simple catch.With just an hour to go before close Moin Khan, who lofted Ananthan for a huge six over long off, attempted the shot once again. He managed only to get a leading edge and the ball lobbed high to wide extra cover. SS Das, running a long way came up with a brilliant catch. Ananthan had a second spell of 9-2-32-4. Moin Khan declared at 295 for seven after three mandatory overs to enable his speedsters glean some practice.

Scoreboard

Pakistan (1st innings): 247

Board President’s XI (1st innings): 282

Pakistan (1st innings): (Overnight 27 for no loss): S Anwar c Shukla b Ananthapadmanabhan 99 (155 b, 211 m, 9×4, 3×6), S Afridi c MSK Prasad b D Mohanty 15 (33 b, 59 m, 2×4), W Wasti c Sehwag b Ananthapadmanabhan 88(203 b, 257 m, 9×4, 1×6), Y Youhanna c Kanitkar b Shukla 35 (54 b, 63 m, 3×6), Inzamam-ul Haq c SS Das b Ananthapadmanabhan 11 (35 b, 44 m, 2×4), Moin Khan c SS Das b Ananthapadmanabhan 28 (43 b, 55 m, 4×4, 1×6), Azhar Mahmood c Kaif b Ananthapadmanabhan 3 (18 b, 23 m), Mohammed Naved (not out) 6 (14 b, 29 m, 1×4), S Akhtar (not out) 0, Extras (B-1, LB-2, NB-7): 10, Total: (for 7 wkts decl, 91 overs, 371 minutes): 295.

Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Afridi), 2-166 (Anwar), 3-237 (Youhanna), 4-254 (Wasti), 5-257 (Inzamam), 6-261 (Azhar), 7-295 (Moin).

Bowling: Mohanty 13-5-23-1, Shukla 11-1-32-1, Kartik 25-4-87-0, Kanitkar 9-0-44-0, Ananthapadmanabhan 23-3-80-5, Sehwag 3-0-22-0, Yadav 7-4-4-0.

Board President’s XI (2nd innings): SS Das c Inzamam b S Akhtar 8 (22 b, 26 m, 1×4, G Khoda (not out) 4 (26 b, 54 m), JP Yadav b S Akhtar 0 (1 b, 1 m), Md Kaif (not out) 8 (12 b, 25 m, 1×4), Extras (LB-1, NB-1): 2, Total: (for 2 wkts, 10 overs, 54 minutes): 22.

Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Das), 2-12 (Yadav).

Bowling:Mahmood 4-3-3-0, Akhtar 5-0-17-2, Wasti 1-0-1-0. ¬Ut›°4¼Tt›