Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Hobart, Nov 19: Saqlain Mushtaq memserised Australia’s batsmen, taking a career Test best 6-46 as Pakistan roared back into contention in the second cricket Test at Bellerive Oval today.
Ripping in his off-spinners, sometimes above 100 kph on a conducive pitch, 22-year-old Saqlain swung the match after Australia had looked set to bat their way to the three-Test series on the back of another domineering Michael Slater innings.
In four overs, Saqlain snared 4-6 and narrowly missed a hat-trick in his 22nd over when he had Adam Gilchrist (7) stumped and bemused Shane Warne bowled first ball before a tough-and-go stumping decision next ball on Damien Fleming was turned down by the video umpire Steve Davis.
But Saqlain claimed Fleming on the last ball of that over, trapping him lbw as Australia tottered to 236 for eight.
Saqlain’s previous pinnacle Test bowling performance was 5-32 in the first innings of the Lahore Test against Zimbabwe last December. He has now taken five wickets in an innings ninetimes, but this was his first against Australia.
Skipper Steve Waugh was out cutting to Ijaz at point off Wasim Akram for 24 to have Australia at 246 for nine, before Saqlain carried out the last rites having Glenn McGrath stumped well out of crease by Moin Khan for seven.
Australia, after appearing set for a sizable innings lead, in the end squeezed to a 24-run lead and with the prospect of facing Saqlain on a wearing pitch in the last innings, Pakistan’s hopes were decidedly on the rise.
By stumps, the tourists had worked their way to 61 for one off 24 overs and a lead of 37 runs with nine wickets in hand. With three days remaining, only the intervention of the weather, will prevent a result in the Hobart Test.
Saeed Anwar, who clouted Shane Warne’s first ball for six, was batting on 36 with nightwatchman Saqlain yet to score.
First innings top-scorer Mohammad Wasim was caught by McGrath off Scott Muller for 20 after putting on 50 for the first wicket.
Scoreboard
Pakistan firstinnings: 222
Australia (1st innings): M Slater c Ijaz b Saqlain 97, G Blewett c Moin Khan b Mahmood 35, J Langer c Wasim b Saqlain 59, M Waugh lbw b Younis 5, S Waugh c Ijaz b Akram 24, R Ponting b Younis 0, A Gilchrist st Moin b Saqlain 6, S Warne b Saqlain 0, D Fleming lbw b Saqlain 0, G McGrath st Moin b Saqlain 7, S Muller not out 0; Extras (b2, lb6, nb5) 13.
Total (all out in 80 overs) 246.
Fall of wickets: 1-76, 2-191, 3-206, 4-206, 5-213, 6-236, 7-236, 8-236, 9-246.
Bowling: Akram 20-4-51-1, Akhtar 17-2-69-0, Younis 12-1-42-2, Saqlain 24-8-46-6, Azhar Mahmood 7-1-30-1.
Pakistan (2nd innings): S Anwar batting 36, M Wasim c McGrath b Muller 20, S Mushtaq batting 0; Extras (lb2, w1, nb2) 5.
Total (for one wicket, 24 overs) 61.
Fall of wicket: 1-50.
Bowling: McGrath 6-2-14-0, Fleming 5-2-11-0, Muller 6-2-12-1, Warne 7-1-22-0.
