Pakistan back on level terms

Toronto, Sept 14: Pakistan brought themselves on even keel with India by winning the second game of the five-match Sahara Cup series by 5...

Toronto, Sept 14: Pakistan brought themselves on even keel with India by winning the second game of the five-match Sahara Cup series by 51 runs here yesterday.

Set to make 247 in the afternoon, India missed the presence of Saturday8217;s man-of-the-match Saurav Ganguly 8212; whose hamstring injury necessitated a precautionary rest 8212; and slid to a defeat.

The promoted opener, Nayan Mongia and Navjot Singh Sidhu, were confronted with a disciplined Pakistani attack. Even the field placements were done meticulously as Sidhu8217;s cut and thrusts past point and gully were effectively blocked.

The only incident of note in this period was a disputed appeal for a catch by Salim Malik off Nayan Mongia, when the batsman was on one and the total seven.

The standing umpire, Ian Robinson, and later his partner at square leg, Trevor Manuel, thought it fit to refer it to the third umpire who could not come to a decision going by the evidence of television replays.

But Sidhu departed in the same manner as it had happened onSaturday, bowled by Mohammad Zahid, though this time the veteran opener dragged the ball on to his stumps.

Skipper Mohammed Azharuddin began belligerently, slashing Zahid for a six over third man and then swatting Shahid Afridi over deep long-on for a massive six.

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But Azharuddin succumbed to Azhar Mahmood for 25, made off 40 balls with two sixes.

Thus, India were not only losing wickets but the scoring rate was climbing too. Rahul Dravid and Hrishikesh Kanitkar appeared promising initially.

But Dravid offered a return catch to Abdul Razzak while Kanitkar failed to lift the same bowler successfully and gave a catch to Pakistan skipper Aamir Sohail at mid-wicket.

Javagal Srinath entertained himself and the crowd by singling out the most successful bowler of the innings, Salim Malik, for some harsh treatment by hitting a six and two fours in his 21.

Scoreboard

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Pakistan: Saeed Anwar c Azhar b Srinath 21, Shahid Afridi c Paranjpe b Kanitkar 56, Aamir Sohail lbw b Agarkar 25, Inzamam-ul-Haq cPrasad b Raul 35, Salim Malik c Mongia b Kanitkar 4, Ijaz Ahmed c Mongia b Joshi 2, Moin Khan not out 69, Azhar Mahmood c Dravid b Srinath 10, Abdul Razzak c Mongia b Prasad 1, Mohammad Zahid c Azhar b Agarkar 7, Aaqib Javed not out 1; Extras b3, lb2, w8, nb2 15.

Total for nine wickets in 50 overs 246

Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-80, 3-117, 4-127, 5-130, 6-173, 7-203, 8-207, 9-229.

Bowling: Javagal Srinath 10-0-54-2; Venkatesh Prasad 10-1-56-1; Ajit Agarkar 10-0-59-2; Sunil Joshi 10-1-37-1; Hrishikesh Kanitkar 6-0-22-2; Sanjay Raul 4-1-13-1.

India: N Sidhu b Zahid 24, Mongia c Inzamam b Mahmood 41, M Azharuddin c Moin Khan b Mahmood 25, Rahul Dravid c and b Razzaq 18, H Kanitkar c Sohail b Razzaq 24, J Paranjpe c sub Youhanna b Malik 3, Sanjay Raul c Mahmood b Razzaq 8, Ajit Agarkar c Afridi b Malik 5, S Joshi c sub Youhanna b Malik 9, J Srinath not out 21, V Prasad lbw Malik 1; Extras b8, lb2, w4, nb2 16.

Total all out in 46.3 overs 195

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Fall ofwickets: 1-57, 2-96, 3-107, 4-138, 5-143, 6-152, 7-160, 8-162, 9-175.

Bowling: Aaqib Javed 7-0-24-0, Azhar Mahmood 10-0-38-2, Mohammad Zahid 5-0-12-1, Abdul Razzak 10-0-48-3, Shahid Afridi 8-0-27-0; Salim Malik 6.3-0-36-4.

Result: Pakistan won by 51 runs.