India struggle after Pathan hat-trick
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Sunday, 29, Jan 2006 07:26
Pakistan recovered from a terrible start to have a slight advantage after an eventful day's play on the first day of the final Test against India.
Irfan Pathan became the first bowler in history to take a hat-trick in the opening over of a Test as Pakistan crumbled to 39-6.
But a Kamran Akmal ton inspired Pakistan to rally to 245 all out and they reduced India to 74-4 by the close of play.
Fourteen wickets in a day were all the more remarkable for the torpor of the two preceding games – both drawn as hosts Pakistan were widely criticised for preparing flat and lifeless pitches that offered little chance of a result.
Salman Butt edged the fourth ball of the match to Rahul Dravid at slip and was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf – the former adjudged lbw and the latter bowled.
Pathan became only the second Indian ever to take a Test match hat-trick, matching Harbajan Singh's feat against Australia in 2001.
He finished with figures of 5-61, but wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal hauled Pakistan back into the match with a century off 130 balls.
Dhoni missed an easy stumping chance when his fellow gloveman was on 80, but eventually ended his innings for 113 by catching him behind off the bowling of Pathan.
Shoaib Akhtar biffed his way uncomplicatedly to within sight of his first Test fifty, but eventually holed out for 45 when in danger of running out of partners.
The bowlers built on the lower order's recovery work with four wickets in just 16 overs as India stuttered in reply.
VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar all perished as Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Abdul Razzaq attacked with pace and bounce.
Left-handers Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh survived unscathed as India hung on till stumps, still 171 runs behind with six wickets remaining.