Kamal, Balaji share honours in Mohali test
MOHALI, Tuesday (Reuters) Pakistan batsman Asim Kamal
top-scored with 91 and paceman Lakshmipathy Balaji grabbed his maiden
five-wicket haul to give a rousing start to the first test in India on
Tuesday.
Kamal missed out on a deserved maiden test hundred but
lifted a tottering Pakistan innings before they were all out for 312 at
the close on day one.
The Karachi left-hander, playing in only his seventh
match, showed no hint of nerves as he played shots to all parts of the
ground after Pakistan had wobbled to 104 for four soon after lunch.
Indian captain Saurav Ganguly's gamble to include Balaji
as the third paceman on a grassy Mohali pitch paid rich dividends
against Pakistan, playing their first test series in India for six
years.
The 23-year-old Madras bowler, who had been sidelined
since September due to a pelvic injury, eventually finished with five
for 76. His captured the vital wicket of Kamal en route to grabbing the
last three scalps in quick succession with the second new ball.
Kamal, who was dismissed for 99 on his test debut
against South Africa in Lahore two years ago, hit 14 fours in his
163-ball effort lasting almost four hours. He revived the innings in a
52-run fifth wicket partnership with captain Inzamam-ul Haq, who
contributed 57, before producing useful partnerships down the order as
conditions eased in the final session.
Kamal was out facing the first over with the second new
ball, bowled between bat and pad as he attempted to drive on the rise.
Pakistan, 91 for three at lunch, were in further trouble when the
experienced Yousuf Youhana edged Irfan Pathan behind the stumps in the
third over after lunch.
Kamal, who had come in at Youhana's dismissal, played
fluently, pulling Pathan for his first two fours before cutting and
sweeping Anil Kumble for two more.
He drove Balaji through mid-off for four and took a
single off him to backward point to complete his fifty.
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