Farhat leads Pakistan’s fightback to save 2nd Test

MULTAN—Just when it appeared as if West Indies had assumed a vice-like grip on Multan Test, Pakistan hit back through an assertive batting performance, leaving a draw the most likely result. Led by a crackling double-century, West Indies managed an imposing first-innings lead but the flat nature of the surface, and lack of a quality spinner, thwarted their bid to force home the advantage.
Facing a 234-run defecit, Pakistan chose to smash their way out of trouble with three of their top-order batsmen easing to half-centuries. Imran Farhat stylish 70 not out was buttressed with aggressive, yet contrasting, half-centuries from the two Ys — Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf — and it would require a sensational collapse for either team to force a result from here on.
Farhat’s was an innings of two halves. His first 64 deliveries produced just 15 and, uncharacteristically, not a single boundary. He endured a few jitters - swishing at air with his customary wafts outside off, uncertain about whether to play or leave - and often preferred the edge of the bat rather than the middle. The eye-catching part of the innings was to follow, with spanking cover-drives pinging the advertising hoardings. His innings should have ended on 44 but Shivnarine Chanderpaul, despite the fine attempt, couldn’t latch on to a smoked cover-drive. Once let off, there was no stopping him; the extravagant flourish at the end of each drive made them that much more elegant. During his innings, Lara surpassed legendary Australian Don Bradman’s record of 18 scores of 150 and above and came within 96 of becoming the first man to score 12,000 Test runs. The West Indies total was the highest they have ever scored in Pakistan, surpassing the 493 they racked up in Karachi in 1974.
Lara, 196 overnight, took a single and then drove Umar Gul through the covers for three runs to complete his double century off 241 balls, including 21 fours and seven sixes.
He hit another boundary off Gul before holing out at long-on, where Shoaib Malik took a straightforward catch. Paceman Abdul Razzaq wrapped up the West Indian innings by dismissing Daren Powell and Taylor in the space of four deliveries.
Pakistan started shakily, and had just 24 on the board after an hour when Mohammad Hafeez played on to Jerome Taylor for 18. But Younis played confidently to pass 4,000 career runs in 49 Tests. He is the 10th Pakistani batsmen to cross the milestone.
Younis Khan hit a fifty to reach 4000-run mark elevating Pakistan score to 123/1 but hosts were still 111 runs behind to avoid innings defeat at tea-break after Lara’s double ton helped Windies pile up 591 on day four of the test at Multan on Wednesday.
Younis became the 8th Pakistani batsman to reach 4000-run mark. Chasing the first innings lead of 234 runs, Muhammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat were unbeaten at 17 and 4 respectively till lunch-break, however, Hafeez lost his wicket in fifth over after lunch when an in-coming delivery by Jerome Taylor deceived him flicking his off-stump.
He could add only one run to his pre-lunch individual score. Hafeez scored 18 off 44 balls and hit three boundaries.
Younis Khan then joined Imran Farhat and they both built a second-wicket partnership of 99 runs till tea-break. Younis was unbeaten at 55 off 71 balls and hit seven boundaries. Imran Farhat was not out at 45 off 115 balls and he hit five boundaries during his patient 159-minute stay at the turf.
Earlier, Danish Kaneria claimed his 12th five-wicket haul in tests claiming the much wanted wicket of Brian Lara and Dav Mohammad.
Lara and Danesh Ramdin resumed batting from 509/5, however, West Indian captain’s plan to post a 650-plus on board was frustrated when Danesh Ramdin fell victim to the combination of Shahid Nazir-Kamran Akmal in fifth over of the day in pre-lunch session.—Agencies