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Friday, November 23, 2007

Pakistan fold up after Misbah run-out

Pakistan's lower-order defiance lasted nearly an hour into the second morning, before a truly bizarre dismissal triggered the slide to 231 all out. Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Sami added 87 - a record ninth-wicket stand for Pakistan against India - before some alert fielding gave India the wicket that had eluded them on the first evening.

The pair had frustrated India right through the final session on the opening day, and their vigil on the second morning wasn't only about dour defence either. Misbah guided a delivery from Munaf Patel down to the third-man boundary, and Sami followed suit in the next over bowled by Zaheer Khan.

With no breakthrough forthcoming after 40 minutes, Anil Kumble took the ball himself, and then opted for Sourav Ganguly at the other end. And it was off Ganguly's bowling that the partnership was finally broken. Misbah played one to point and set off. He seemed to have made his ground when Dinesh Karthik's throw came in. But rather than get his body in the way, Misbah chose airborne evasive action. When the third umpire handed down his decision, the crowd erupted.

It took Kumble just two balls to clean up Danish Kaneria, leaving India's vaunted batting line-up to chart their own course on a pitch that should be at its best for batting on the second day.


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