MADRAS, India: The first test between India and Pakistan, which started on an exciting note as the two subcontinent cricketing giants clashed, ended in a dull, tame draw on the final day.
Pakistan was 182 for three wickets in their second innings, 142 ahead, when the sides agreed to end play.
Resuming from the tea score at 158 for two, Pakistan lost Javed Miandad’s wicket for 54 when the score was 160. RizwanusZaman and Salim Malik were then left to go through the motions.
Pakistan, 40 behind on first innings after India declared at their overnight score of 527 for nine, began their second innings cautiously and without much enthusiasm, knowing the match was virtually doomed to end in a draw. India got two minor breaks when the tourists lost opening batsmen Rameez Raja and Shoaib Mohammad before the lunch score of 70. Rameez was caught by Mohammad Azhruddin for 14 when the score was only 17. Shoaib, and Rizwan, who came in next, added 53 runs for the second wicket. But Shoaib, who hit a century in the first innings, was uncomfortable facing Maninder and was caught at silly point by Dilip Vengsarkar for 45.
With no target to set or chase, Rizwan and Miandad plodded away, adding 90 runs for the third wicket as the 10,000 crowd cried for big hits.
Rizwan was unbeaten with 54 off 233 deliveries.
Indian skipper Kapil Dev said he was happy with his side’s batting, although he hoped the bowling would improve for the second test at Calcutta.
“Things are even, though as a Captain I would have liked to have seen a positive result”, he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 13, 1987
