Afridi leads Pakistan counter-attack

LAHORE, November 17: Shahid Afridi hit a sparkling half-century as Pakistan launched an aggressive counter-attack on the third day of the ...

LAHORE, November 17: Shahid Afridi hit a sparkling half-century as Pakistan launched an aggressive counter-attack on the third day of the first Test on Friday.

Replying to England’s 480 for eight and chasing 280 to avoid the follow-on, Pakistan were 119 for two when bad light ended play eight overs early.

England had declared at lunch after off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq had taken all eight wickets to fall in a career-best performance.

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All-rounder Afridi immediately took the fight to the bowlers as he sped to a 61-ball 50 with six fours and a towering six off Graeme Hick.

He was dismissed for 52 when he skied a catch off left-arm spinner Ashley Giles to Darren Gough at long-off.

Afridi had put on 63 for the first wicket with Saeed Anwar, who was given out lbw when he offered no stroke to part-time off-spinner Hick with the last ball before the tea interval.

Saqlain, who finished with figures of eight for 164 from 74 overs with 20 maidens, took two wickets in the morning after England resumed at 393 for six.

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WHITE DENIED CENTURY: Only leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, who captured nine for 56 against England at the same venue 13 years ago, has returned better figures for Pakistan.

Saqlain denied Craig White a century after he had started the day on 89.

The all-rounder added only four more runs before edging a delivery onto his thigh pad and to short leg where Yousuf Youhana took a one-handed catch.

He had batted for 290 minutes, faced 199 balls and hit nine fours and two sixes in his highest Test score.

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Nightwatchman Ian Salisbury and Giles posted 70 runs for the eighth wicket before Salisbury was leg before for 31. Giles scored 37 not out.

Saqlain Mushtaq admitted he felt had the strain during his 74-over marathon.

"This is the highest number of overs I have bowled in any class of cricket," he said.

The 23-year-old Saqlain said he was not disappointed to be denied the chance of taking all 10 wickets.

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"I do not play for records and do not mind England declaring. I may have taken ten wickets in an innings, I may not have. I am not one for statistics," said Saqlain.

"The England batsmen batted sensibly and with authority to make a huge score. Now Pakistan will have to bat with as much guts to get anywhere near England’s score." (Reuters)

England (1st Innings): Atherton c Yousuf Youhana b Saqlain Mushtaq 73; Trescothick c Salim Elahi b Saqlain Mushtaq 71; Thorpe c & b Saqlain Mushtaq 118; Stewart lbw Saqlain Mushtaq 3; Hussain c Wasim Akram b Saqlain Mushtaq 7; Hick lbw Saqlain Mushtaq 16; White c Yousuf Youhana b Saqlain Mushtaq 93; Salisbury lbw Saqlain Mushtaq 31; Giles not out 37; Caddick not out 5; Extras (b3, lb13. nb10): 26; Total (for 8 wkts decl): 480

Fall of wickets: 1-134, 2-169, 3-173, 4-183, 5-225, 6-391, 7-398, 8-468

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Bowling: Wasim Akram 22-8-40-0, Abdur Razzaq 22-6-55-0, Saqlain Mushtaq 74-20-164-8, Mushtaq Ahmed 44-6-132-0, Shahid Afridi 18-6-38-0, Qaiser Abbas 16-3-35-0.

Pakistan (1st Innings): Saeed Anwar lbw Hick 40; Shahid Afridi c Gough b Giles 52; Salim Elahi batting 15; Inzamam-ul-Haq batting 11; Extras (lb1): 1; Total (for 2 wkts): 119

Fall of wickets: 1-63, 2-101

Bowling: Darren Gough 4-1-16-0, Andrew Caddick 7-1-16-0, Ashley Giles 16-4-38-1, Ian Salisbury 9-0-22-0, Graeme Hick 4-0-26-1.