Pathan, in promised land, maybe

Every delivery he bowled at the Pakistan A top order was meant to be aimed at the wickets, his wrist straight, the number of strides abridged.

At the end of the day, Pakistan A century-maker Imran Farhat walked up to the media and declared: ‘‘Pathan was looking dangerous. His was getting the ball to swing and the deliveries kept coming in.’’

This, on a wicket that was least helpful for anybody who was trying to bowl fast.

Long before Imran Khan asked Mohammad Sami to make ‘‘better use of his brains and his wrists,’’ Indian coach Greg Chapell had explained the importance of doing so to the Indians. On Sunday, it showed that the advice — to concentrate on accuracy — has been put to good use when bowlers like Ajit Agarkar and Rudra Pratap Singh warmed-up on their first day with the ball.

Agarkar — the most economical bowler of the day with just 28 runs from nine overs — also earned the first wicket of the day, that of Bazid Khan, while Pathan sent back Mohammad Wasim and Hasan Raza.

‘‘There wasn’t much to gain from. The trick was to bowl within our limits,’’ the Baroda bowler said after the day’s play.

The Indians were put to some serious test by the young Pakistanis. No sooner had Pathan and Agarkar finished their early spells, the first change in Rudra Pratap Singh and Zaheer Khan did not do the attack any good. Both the bowlers were dealt harshly in their first couple of overs itself.

The only other wicket taker for the Indians was Harbhajan Singh.