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India tour Pakistan
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India punish poor Pakistan
RAWALPINDI: India's Rahul Dravid scored his first Test century
against Pakistan as the visitors dominated the third and deciding
Test in Rawalpindi.
Dravid rode his luck at times but played a dogged innings to hit 134
not out to put India in real contention on 342-4, 118 runs ahead.
VVS Laxman hit a rapid 71 and teenager Parthiv Patel, promoted up
the order to opener, made a Test-best 69.
Shoaib Akhtar was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with 3-47.
Dravid survived a confident lbw shout by Mohammed Sami, was dropped
by Yasir Hameed on 71 and was given the green light by the third
umpire after Pakistan claimed a catch behind.
But his gritty determination steered India towards their first ever
Test series win against Pakistan.
Resuming on 23-1, India started the day cautiously, scratching
around for runs.
And Patel, controversially handed the opener's position ahead of
Yuvraj Singh or captain Sourav Ganguly, was fortunate when he just
made it back to his crease as Danish Kaneria's direct hit dislodged
the bails.
Dravid and Patel put on 129 runs for the second wicket before the
19-year-old went, caught behind off Fazl-e-Akbar, just after the
lunch interval.
The youngster played some classy shots on his way to 69 to fully
justify his promotion.
In came Sachin Tendulkar but he departed almost immediately when
Shoaib forced him into edging it to wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal for
just one run.
Pakistan's tails were up but Laxman quelled the heat and proved just
what a dangerous player he can be with 71 off 99 balls, including 12
fours.
Just when Laxman looked set for a huge score, Shoaib stunned him
with a full toss which bowled him through the gates.
It brought Ganguly to the crease for the first time in this Test
series and he was quickly into stride as India ran riot with the
bat.
Ganguly did not look at all rusty as he finished the day on 53 not
out.
Pakistan face an uphill task on Thursday and their problems have
been further compounded after strike bowler Shoaib had to go off the
field for
treatment to a hand injury after falling whilst bowling.
And short-leg fielder Asim Kamal was also taken to hospital for
precautionary X-rays after being hit on the elbow from point-blank
range.
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