Laxman proves his worth, once again

Coming out to bat when India had lost three quick wickets, it seemed that Laxman was destined to score runs whenever his fellow mates failed to consolidate their strong position. One could say that playing under pressure situations is his true calling.

8220;It8217;s just one of those important knocks of my career. When I came at the wicket the situation was tense. But I love such conditions, to play under pressure. It8217;s just the kind of thing I thrive on,8221; he said.

It8217;s not the first time that Laxman has bailed India out of a sticky situation. 8220;See I can8217;t do anything in situations that I can not control. It seems that many feel that I am fighting for a place, but all I can say is just check my performance in England and it will be clear that I have played well there. The selectors have had faith in me so I don8217;t see any reason for me to question my place in the side.8221;

The stylish right-hander also mentioned how his captain had kept faith in him, and that was motivation enough for him to play good.

His job is not over yet. He has to see India through tomorrow8217;s morning session and make sure that they take a decent lead. It seems that the very person whose inclusion was being questioned now lies between victory and defeat for India.

8220;It8217;s very important that we have a good start tomorrow. We have to put them under pressure. Tomorrow8217;s morning session will be very crucial and we have to make sure that we get a sizeable lead,8221; he said.

This situation might follow him throughout the remainder of his career, but he stays humble enough to praise the Pakistani bowlers more than his own innings. 8220;Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanveer, Danish Kaneria all bowled well, but Shoaib was the best,8221; he said.

Dhoni8217;s wicket was crucial: Kaneria

For a team that banks on pace and where even the captain says that his trump card is Shoaib Akhtar, the final days of this Test match may just show the importance of Danish Kaneria.

8220;We did not have the first innings advantage but we8217;ll give them a target as the fourth day will be difficult to bat with the wicket deteriorating and becoming very slow and low,8221; he said. 8220;If we give them a target of 300 we can win the match,8221; he said.

He added that there has not been much sunlight on these two days so wicket has not broken yet. It could be difficult to play spin tomorrow and that they like to come and bowl India out in the morning tomorrow.

Kaneria described Mahendra Singh Dhoni8217;s wicket as a breakthrough for Pakistan to stage a comeback. Kaneira not only got Dhoni, but also was instrumental in getting Sachin Tendulkar out.

8220;Tendulkar8217;s run out and breaking the Dhoni-Laxman partnership were important. Dhoni8217;s wicket was the major breakthrough,8221; said Kaneria.