Archives

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, Thursday (AFP) Pakistani batsmen Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan exploited West Indian generosity to smash centuries on the opening day of the second Test here on Thursday.

West Indian captain Carl Hooper's amazing decision to field first on a perfect batting wicket, combined with a succession of missed chances, enabled a grateful Pakistan to post 344 for three by stumps.

The hard-hitting Afridi, dropped thrice before reaching 30 and then again on 79, made 107 in his first Test appearance in a year.

Younis returned unbeaten on 131, his fifth century that was studded with 12 boundaries and a six.

The pair smashed 190 runs for the second wicket in just 179 minutes after opener Taufiq Umer had fallen in the day's seventh over with the score at 12.

Younis then added a run-a-minute 70 for the third with Inzamam-ul Haq, who clobbered four fours and two sixes in 36.

Hooper made amends for an earlier lapse by taking a stunning catch at mid-wicket to remove Inzamam, but wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs dropped new man Yousuf Youhana first ball to deny the leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine two wickets off successive balls.

Youhana, who hit 146 in Pakistan's resounding 170-run win in the first Test, took advantage of the lapse to slam 47 not out in an unfinished stand of 72 with Younis.

"It does not matter whether you bat first or field first, the important thing is to play well and we did not do that today," Hooper said.

"We dropped too many catches. But the good thing about Test cricket is that it gives a chance to make amends. Hopefully, we will pick up over the next four days."

Pakistani captain Waqar Younis conceded he was surprised when Hooper decided to field first.

"When I lost the toss, I think my fast bowlers were getting ready to put on spikes and I was mentally prepared to have a long day in the field," he said.

"Carl must have had his reasons, but I am delighted we have put up a good score.

"Afridi took his chances and I am happy for him. But I am delighted at the way Younis Khan batted. He is a great number three for us."

The West Indians allowed Pakistan to wriggle out of a shaky start and reach a prosperous 91 for one by lunch.

Pace bowler Marvyn Dillon got one to move in sharply to left-hander Umer (eight) and the batsman edged it to Daren Ganga at short-leg.

The early success in the day's seventh over was, however, wasted as catches went down with alarming regularity.

Ryan Hinds spilled a catch at third slip off left-arm seamer Pedro Collins when Afridi was on four.

Seven runs later, Ramnarine at gully got his fingers to a hard slash off Dillon, but failed to hold the ball which raced to the third man fence.

Hooper himself joined the list of culprits when, just before lunch, he put down a simple chance at second slip off Dillon when Afridi was on 29.

Afridi escaped for the fourth time after lunch when subsitute fielder Corey Collymore failed to grasp a sharp chance at mid-off as the batsman attempted a big hit off Hooper.

Fast bowler Cameron Cuffy finally ended his team's agony when he bowled Afridi 30 minutes before tea.

Afridi smashed 16 boundaries and three sixes in his second Test century which included 16 runs in Ramnarine's last over before lunch.

Both teams made one change from the first Test with Afridi replacing Naved Latif and Ramnarine coming in for the injured Sherwin Campbell. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager