Scoreboard | Images from Day 3
Pakistan took a firm grip on the second Test by close of play on day 3, claiming five India wickets for 149 runs in the second innings.
After Pakistan's first innings closed at 489, 73 minutes after lunch, Shoaib Akhtar claimed the wicket of opener Akash Chopra (5), to start the slide and then Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul joined in the fun as the Pakistan bowlers went on to dominate the proceedings.
At close of play, Virender Sehwag was on 84, with Parthiv Patel was giving him good support on 13.
Earlier, the Pakistan tail frustrated the Indians, adding 103 runs after the loss of four early wickets in the morning session to give the hosts a 202-run first innings lead.
Middle order batsman Asim Kamal hit a stubborn 73 off 141 balls, studded with seven fours and three sixes, to put Pakistan in a formidable position. He was well-supported by Akhtar (19) and Umar Gul (14).
Morning session (29 overs - 64 runs, 4 wickets)
India got off to the best possible start by claiming four quick wickets.
Irfan Pathan, who had toiled without reward on the first two days, started the collapse when he trapped skipper Inzamam-ul Haq leg before wicket on his overnight score of 118 in the first over of the day.
Inzamam reacted slowly to a ball that straightened after pitching in line with the middle and leg stump. The loud appeal that followed was upheld by umpire Simon Taufel.
It was a vital breakthrough for the Indians as Inzamam and Yousuf Youhana had batted through the last session on day 2. The partnership was worth 151 runs.
Things got even better for the Indians when Lakshmipathy Balaji claimed his third wicket of the innings. This time it was that of half-centurion Youhana, for 72.
The right-arm seamer's normal delivery angle brings the ball into the right-hander but he got one to hold its line and forced Youhana to have a dab at it. A thick edge followed and Parthiv Patel made no mistake.
Six overs later, Pathan struck for the second time in the morning, getting Kamran Akmal's wicket with one that pitched in line with the leg stump and would have crashed into the middle stump. Akmal (5) was gone, caught plumb in front of the stumps.
Pathan was getting the 40-over-old ball to swing and soon got his third wicket of the morning. Mohammad Sami (2) joined his team mates in the hut when a short of length delivery beat him all ends up and crashed into his leg stump.
After starting the morning on 355 for the loss of three wickets, Pakistan were now 386 for 7. They needed a lead of at least 200 runs to put India under pressure.
Taking advantage of the first hour was vital if India were to have a fighting chance of not only saving but even possibly winning the Test.
But as soon as Irfan and Balaji were taken out of the attack, the Pakistan batsmen seemed as ease. Anil Kumble and Ajit Agarkar just don't seem anywhere near their best form.
Every time Balaji and Pathan bowl, one can see the tremendous effort they put into every delivery. But with Agarkar the fire seems to be lacking.
Kamal and Shoaib Akhtar added 28 runs with relative ease before Dravid was forced to turn to Pathan once again seeing the ineffectiveness of his other bowlers. Every run was vital and could be the difference between victory and defeat on the final day.
But even Pathan was starting to feel the ill-effects of the scorching heat and was unable to break the resolve of the Pakistan batsmen.
The morning session had completely belonged to India and Dravid was left hoping that the break and a few inspirational words would help his bowlers wrap up the Pakistan innings in quick time.
After 29 overs in the morning session, Pakistan had put on 64 runs for the loss of four wickets. The hosts were 132 runs ahead with three wickets in hand.
At lunch, Pakistan were 419 for the loss of seven wickets, a lead of 107 runs. Shoaib Akhtar, 14, and Asim Kamal, 26, had put on 33 runs to stage a fightback for the hosts.
Post-lunch session (18 overs - 70 runs, 3 wickets)
The resistance provided by the lower-order Pakistani batsman frustrated the Indians. They tried everything but nothing seemed to work. The pacemen and spinners both looked lost in the middle.
Akhtar played sensibly, and Kamal, at the other end, had enough confidence to trust the fast bowler's batting talent. Both batsmen tried to play a few more shots than they did in the morning session.
Then, finally, Akhtar tried one shot too many and the 46-run partnership came to an end. He played a Kumble delivery across the line and failed to keep the ball down. Yuvraj, in the mid-wicket region, moved across to his right and took an excellent catch. (432-8)
Kamal, at the other end, was very impressive. The manner in which he paced his innings made one believe that he will play a lot for Pakistan. His technique is uncomplicated and has a temperament to match. Not a very flashy batsman, but, nonchalantly, he put on frustrating partnerships with the lower order.
Umar Gul continued the good work of Akhtar and offered Kamal support. The medium-pacer also hit some classy drives and pulls before being dismissed hit-wicket.
Gul went back to play a short delivery and his back foot hit the leg stump even as the ball raced away to the mid-wicket fence. It was a sad way to go but he should have been walking back to the pavilion an over earlier.
The medium pacer had offered no shot to a googly and was hit on the pad. The ball would have crashed into the middle and leg stump but the loud appeal was turned down. Steve Bucknor was not interested.
I have always believed that umpires are human and make mistakes. But Bucknor, one must say, is making too many mistakes of late. The ICC should have the power to ask an umpire to retire.
Kamal (73) was out soon after. A reverse sweep did not come off very well and the left-hander was gone. His job was done. He had added 103 runs with the last three batsmen and, in a game like this, India could be made to pay dearly.
When the seventh wicket fell, the lead was only 99. But by the time the last wicket fell it stretched to a handsome 202 runs.
India innings (7.2 overs 15 runs, 2 wickets)
The Indian team bats like the Australians. Quick runs are the norm. A lead of 202 is enough to have most teams think defensively. But with Virender Sehwag opening, India is not one of them.
They quickly had to change their attitude and approach when opener Chopra and Dravid were dismissed in the space of three balls.
Chopra was trapped leg-before wicket by Shoaib Akhtar. The bat and the pad were close together and, at first, it appeared as if the batsman had got a snick before being hit on the pad.
Disaster struck again when Dravid was run-out two balls later in the last over before tea. The acting skipper literally ambled through but was beaten by a good throw from Imran Farhat.
At tea, India, reduced to 15 for the loss of two wickets, were facing an uphill battle to save the Test.
Post-tea session (32.4 overs - 134 runs, 3 wickets)
Sachin Tendulkar would be vital in India's recovery on any given day but today things did not go his way. Just four overs into the last session of the day, he was beaten for pace and trapped bang in front of his stumps.
The little master was back in the hut after scoring only eight runs and the Pakistani bowlers had hit a purple patch. Something was happening every over.
Sehwag, who was playing with his usual belligerence, was dispatching the ball to the boundary with ease but the rest were struggling to cope with the pressure of a 200-run lead.
Laxman walked in next and settled things for a while. The right-hander played a few good strokes before succumbing to first innings destroyer Umar Gul for 13. The ball pitched in line with the off stump and straightened. Laxman played all round the ball and had his castle shattered. (88-4)
But the partnership of 45 between Laxman and Sehwag restored some semblance of sanity to the proceedings.
Yuvraj Singh, who scored a brilliant 112 in the first innings, followed Laxman back to the pavilion soon after. Sami got Yuvraj fishing outside the off stump and wicket-keeper Akmal made no mistake.
Sami maintained an impressive line and length. He bowled with fire and zest to sound the death knell for India.
India were 105 for the loss of five wickets and the match looked in danger of ending today itself, but Parthiv Patel showed grit and resolve to give Sehwag good support.
The duo batted with calm and showed that there are no devils in the pitch. Their unfinished 44-run partnership has given India hope where there was none.
The final session of the day saw India score 134 runs for the loss of 3 wickets off 32.4 overs. India finished at 149 for the loss of five wickets, still trailing by 53 runs.
The most optimistic of Indian supporters will still expect India to do the extraordinary and save the Test.
India's hopes now solely rest on the genius of Sehwag and the lower middle order. The visitors will somehow need to play out at least the first two sessions of the day to put Pakistan under any pressure on a wearing wicket.
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