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Tough century Pakistan's Inzamam fights back against New Zealand
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) -- A punishing century by Inzamam-ul-Haq helped Pakistan avoid the follow-on in the second cricket test against New Zealand at Lancaster Park on Saturday. Inspired by Inzamam's 130, Pakistan replied to New Zealand's 476 with 341 for six at stumps on the third day, still trailing the home side by 135 runs. Yousuf Youhana and Saqlain Mushtaq will resume Sunday on 73 and 20 runs respectively as the test heads to an inevitable draw on an unresponsive portable pitch. Playing his first innings for Pakistan in three weeks since walking off here with a groin strain during the fourth one-day international, Inzamam held the tourists' batting together with his 13th test century. The big right-hander made New Zealand pay for dropping him Friday when he had made just 10, and went on to share two century partnership to repair the early damage caused by the dismissals of the two openers with the score on 25. His century was acknowledged by a small crowd of 2,028 spectators that included his wife Kashifa and 13-month old son Ibthisham. Resuming the day on 65 for two, Faisal Iqbal (63) and Inzamam batted unhindered all morning as they shared 132 runs for the third wicket with some deft batting. Pakistan moved relentless toward overhauling the follow-on mark but suffered a double blow soon after the tea break. Inzamam's 241-ball knock ended when he was caught by first slip by Stephen Fleming and one run later Younis Khan, who hit 91 and 149 in the first test, was dismissed without scoring.
Inzamam, who finished last year with 1,090 tests runs, hit a six and 22 boundaries before falling to a loose drive. The arrival of the second new ball made run scoring easier but at the same time claimed two important wicket to check Pakistan's smooth progress. Inzamam, a playing in his 71st test, was in ominous mood throughout 318-minute stay except for when he enjoyed a snooze for 45 minutes after lunch when he was stuck on 73. "I had to bat with a lot of responsibility after we lost the early wickets," said Inzamam. "It was good to play a long innings after the long layoff. "I was fortunate to survive the dropped catch, but that goes with the game." New Zealand suffered a major blow when debutant swing bowler Chris Drum left the field dislocating his right arm as he dived to intercept one of Inzamam's fearsome drives after tea. New Zealand's long-awaited breakthrough Saturday came only 42 minutes after lunch when Faisal's 155-minute vigil ended due to the part-time efforts of Craig McMillan. McMillan, who had frustrated Inzamam after lunch, had Faisal caught by Fleming at short extra cover as the new No.3 tried to cut loose on reaching his second successive half century following his unbeaten 52 in Auckland. Faisal hit 10 fours off 182 balls. Inzamam, joined by Youhana, scored runs rapidly during the 102-run stand as the post lunch session realized 101 runs. Pakistan also lost Moin Khan (28) late in the day when the skipper holed out to Christ Martin to give offspinner Grant Bradburn a wicket in his 21st over.
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