The wicketkeeper

If there was anything up for grabs in the Test apart from a win, it was the mental edge. That now lies with Pakistan. As for pressure, that will now spend some time in the Indian dressing room.

Even though there was enough time to bowl the Pakistanis out and despite the fight from Razzaq and Akmal, the two sessions on Day Three will come back to haunt the Indian batsmen when they sit down to assess the match. A mere 129 runs were scored in the last two sessions on that day. Even Inzamam attributed draw to that crucial period when his bowlers bowled well and did not to give away too many runs. But Ganguly refused to see a connection, saying the slow rate on Day Three didn’t make any different, particularly with six wickets down and more than 90 overs to bowl them out.

The possibility of an Indian victory on the morning of the final day was not a matter of if but when. This morning everyone, including the Pakistani camp, was expecting an Indian win before tea, maybe earlier. But two men believed otherwise.

Two men under pressure and on trial were keen on creating a little bit of their own history. The pair defied history, the odds and a confident Indian bowling attack.

Starting the day at 257/6, Akmal and Razzaq snatched the first hour of the morning away from the Indians and with it the advantage. When Pakistan went to lunch with a 165-run lead, the match had swung Pakistan’s way though India were still in the game. But India’s bowling fell apart. Barring Balaji, all the seamers bowled far too wide outside off, allowing the well set pair to stretch the lead.

Questions were being asked about Razaaq’s utility to the Test side after a forgettable outing with the ball and he had no choice but to set the record straight with the bat. And he did. The two broke records as they went along. Akmal became the first Pakistani keeper to score a century in India in 45 years, the seventh wicket partnership was the best ever against India.

Skipper Sourav Ganguly set a defensive field for a major part of the day never forcing the batsmen to take undue risks or struggle for runs.

When Akmal was finally dismissed, chances of an Indian victory had receded just like the threat of the meteorological department for rain on days four and five. Pakistan batted for ten and a half hours with Razzaq and Akmal consuming four hours and then setting India 293 runs to get in 25 overs.

India never bothered chasing that. But they have a lot of chasing to do in Kolkata.

THE DAY IN A MINUTE

FIRST SESSION
O-35, R-112, W-0
Final day begins with hope for India, but it quickly fades. Razzaq and Akmal frustrate the hosts with their dogged approach

SECOND SESSION
O-28, R-90, W-2
Razzaq leaves early but Akmal continues to pile on the agony with the help of the tail. Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly throws his hand up in disgust as Akmal & Co keep eating up time and adding runs

THIRD SESSION
O-24, R-122, W-3
As the match heads towards a draw, there is relief in the Pakistan camp and the Indian shoulders start drooping. To make matters worse, Inzy & Co rub it in by declaring with 292 runs ahead. Sehwag, Gambhir decide to have some fun before both sides call time

Prime Number
319 The number of balls that Akmal-Razzaq partnership kept India at bay during their 187-run seventh wicket partnership. This alliance not only turned the tide but also gave Pakistan the moral victory in the end

Spell Check
ZAHEER KHAN
O-5, M-0, R-25, W-0
Zaheer Khan’s opening spell on the final day immediately after the new ball was taken. When the Indian camp was looking for wickets, this spell just opened the floodgates, receding India’s chances further.