PERTH, NOV 26: Hostile young speedster Mohammad Akram masterminded his team’s dramatic revival after the Pakistani batsmen had caved in on the opening day of the third and final Test against Australia here on Friday.
Batting first after winning the toss for the first time in the series, Pakistan were bundled out in their first innings for 155 in 52 overs on the lightning fast, bouncy pitch.
But Australia’s early batsmen also found the going tough as Mohammad Akram, chosen ahead of veteran Waqar Younis in a pre-match surprise, snapped up three wickets in his opening six overs. Selected for his first Test of the series — and only the seventh of his young career — the energetic 25-year-old from Islamabad dismissed opener Greg Blewett (11), Mark Waugh (0) and captain Steve Waugh (5) in the space of a deadly 17-ball blitz.
Australia slumped to 54-4 in the 12th over, but thanks to a rescue act by fifth-wicket pair Justin Langer (63) and Ricky Ponting (62) regained the ascendancy at the end of anincident-packed day at 171 for four — a lead of 16.
It might have been a much better story for Pakistan if Langer had not been dropped at backward square leg by Wajahatullah off Mohammad Akram on 19. Also helping to lift Pakistan’s spirits after their woeful batting was skipper Wasim Akram’s achievement in reaching 383 Test wickets, which allows him to share fourth place — with Englishman Ian Botham — in the all-time list of Test wicket-takers. Wasim Akram reached the milestone when he captured opener Michael Slater (0) with only the second ball of the innings. It was just the tonic needed by the tourists after their dreadful exhibition with the bat.
Only the sixth-wicket pair Azhar Mahmood (39) and vice-captain Moin Khan (28) saved the side from complete disgrace as they fashioned a liason of 52 in better than even time. Mahmood had the great fortune to be dropped no fewer than three times — on 18, 22 and 39. Balancing that Australia’s fielding errors with Mahmood was a remarkable catch by newwicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist to remove a disbelieving Yousuf Youhana (18). The talented right-hander attempted to hook a delivery from paceman Glenn McGrath, failed to connect with the bat but prodded the ball down leg-side off his gloves. Gilchrist, one of the biggest glovemen in Test ranks, moved to his left in lightning fast fashion and was in a horizontal position as he clutched the ball in his left hand and managed to hold it firmly as he fell to the turf.
Kasprowicz, after snatching one early wicket, ran through the tail in spectacular fashion, sending back three players, Saqlain Mushtaq (7), Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Akram, who both failed to score, in the space of four balls. The last two victims were dismissed off successive balls, meaning Kasprowicz will have the chance to complete an unusual hat-trick by striking with his first ball in the Pakistan second innings. — (AFP)
SCOREBOARD
Pakistan (1st innings): Saeed Anwar c Ponting b McGrath 18, Wajahatullah Wasti c Ponting bMcGrath 5, Ijaz Ahmed b Fleming 1, Inzamam-ul-Haq c Steve Waugh b Kasprowicz 22, Yousuf Youhana c Gilchrist b McGrath 18, Azhar Mahmood c Warne b Fleming 39, Moin Khan c & b Fleming 28, Wasim Akram not out 5, Saqlain Mushtaq c Blewett b Kasprowicz 7, Shoaib Akhtar b Kasprowicz 0, Mohammad Akram c Mark Waugh b Kasprowicz 0. Extras (lb 4, nb 8): 12. Total (all out in 52 overs): 155
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-26, 3-26, 4-51, 5-83, 6-135, 7-142, 8-155, 9-155
Bowling: McGrath 19-3-44-3, Fleming 19-7-48-3, Kasprowicz 12-2-53-4, Warne 2-0-6-0
Australia (1st innings): Michael Slater lbw Wasim Akram 0, Greg Blewett c Inzamam b Mohammad Akram 1, Justin Langer batting 63, Mark Waugh c sub (Ghulam Ali) b Mohammad Akram 0, Steve Waugh c Youhana b Mohammad Akram 5, Ricky Ponting batting 62. Extras (b 8, lb 4, nb 18): 30. Total (for 4 wickets): 171
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-28, 3-48, 4-54
Bowling: Wasim Akram 7-0-24-1 (nb 7), Mohammad Akram 11-0-66-3 (nb4), Akhtar 5-1-26-0 (nb 6), Mahmood 7-1-23-0, Saqlain 8-3-20-0 (nb 1).