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In control Inzamam's century gives Pakistan fighting chance
Posted: Saturday November 20, 1999 10:41 AM
HOBART, Australia (AP) -- A fighting century by Inzamam-ul-Haq put Pakistan in control of the second cricket test against Australia at the Bellerive Oval on Saturday. Inspired by Inzamam's unbeaten 116, his first century against Australia and eighth overall, Pakistan was 351 for seven at stumps on the third day, leading by 327. "This hundred is important because of two reasons -- because Australia is the top team in the world and it also could set up the match for us," said Inzamam. "We are all pumped up because Pakistan has never won a series in Australia. We think we're in with a chance." Trounced by 10 wickets in the first test, Inzamam's innings and brilliant half centuries by Saeed Anwar (78) and Ijaz Ahmed (82) have given Pakistan a shot at leveling the series with a match to play in Perth next week. On a wicket showing signs of playing up and down and favoring spin, the match has swung towards a rejuvenated Pakistan. History is very much against the hosts in a 300-plus fourth innings run chase. The last time Australia chased more than 300 and won was against the West Indies at Georgetown 21 years ago when they made 358 and won by three wickets. Its best ever run chase against Pakistan was 236 for three, after being set 235 in the second test in 1978-79. Legspinner Shane Warne struck three crucial blows, including a brilliant ball to bowl out Anwar. But Inzamam, in his 57th test was equal to the task and reached his century in 228 minutes. The heavily built Pakistan No.4 was uncharacteristically brisk between wickets running 13 threes. So far he has batted for four and a half hours and hit 12 boundaries off 186 balls while skipper Wasim Akram was unbeaten on one at close. Having missed out on a century in Brisbane, dismissed for 88, Inzamam played one of the better innings of the day when patience was the order of the innings. He said Pakistan was aware of the rain forecast for the final day Monday and would seek quick runs on the fourth morning before Pakistan, was also boosted by the return to form by Ijaz, who played a belligerent 123-ball knock with 13 boundaries. Ijaz and Inzamam were untroubled during a 136-run fourth wicket stand after lunch but the arrival of the second new ball claimed two quick wickets. Ijaz cut once too often and was well caught by Steve Waugh at gully and in the last over before tea swing bowler Damien Fleming found the leading edge of Yousuf Youhana's bat and fourth slip Ricky Ponting took a good reflex catch. But Azhar Mahmood (28) kept Inzamam company for 71 minutes and shared 57 for the sixth wicket before umpire Peter Parker upheld a leg before shout by Warne. Opener Anwar laid the early platform and with nightwatchman Saqlain Mushtaq took Pakistan's overnight score to 100 when Warne claimed the first of his three wickets. He trapped Saqlain lbw and four overs later bowled the left-handed opener, uprooting the leg stump with a sharply turned delivery. Anwar's innings included a six and nine boundaries and followed his 119 in the first test. He was dismissed for a duck in the first innings. Warne finished with 3-100 in 39 overs and Fleming's two wickets costing him 71 runs.
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