The stage was set for Inzamam-ul Haq. It was his hundredth Test. Pakistan were struggling at seven for two. He walked out in a slow stroll, hit a few lazy drives and before the Indian bowlers had realised, he had taken them in his huge stride.
By the time the umpires called it a day, the Pakistan captain was on a swaggering 184 and his team 323 for 2.
To put it simply, it was simply Inzamam all the way on day 1 in the third Test at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Thursday, a day lulled by the easy pace of a momentous achievement.
"This was one of my best innings because of the circumstances," said the 35-year-old.
"This is a crucial Test, and I walked out to bat when the score was 7 for 2. The team needed me to stay at the crease and see out the new ball."
But Inzamam was modest about his brilliant showing. He said Younis Khan played a better innings than him.
"This was his second century in two Tests, and the team needs this kind of consistency and responsibility."
Inzamam's deputy was quick to return the compliment, saying it was gracious of the captain to laud his showing, but the facts are out for all to see.
"We all saw what happened. He scored 184 and I scored 127 in almost the same time. Everyone knows who played better. It was because he was scoring so freely that made me confident.
"It is always good to have a batsman like him at the other end," said Younis, adding that they, being captain and vice-captain, tried to set an example for the team.
Talking about his innings, Younis said the numbers are adding up well for him.
"I have started enjoying my game a lot more. This is cricket, and in India and Pakistan you are a hero one moment and nothing the other. So I am happy I have been able to score two centuries.
"I was really charged up when I completed the hundred, since I was out for zero in the last innings [in Kolkata]."
Younis denied that he directed his bat at anyone in particular after completing the century and said he had proved a point more to himself.
Both the Pakistan batsmen agreed that the pitch made it difficult for the Indians.
"It's a good pitch for batting. The bowlers will have to work very hard to take wickets. It was a good toss to win, because the pitch might help the spinners on the fourth and fifth days," opined Inzamam.
Not aiming to overtake his highest Test score of 329, Inzamam said a lot of work still remains and his team cannot afford to remain complacent.
"We won't make the same mistake as we did in Kolkata. [Younis and Yousuf Youhana had made unbeaten centuries on the day two, but Pakistan collapsed on the third.] We will carry on from here and put up a big score."
Younis agreed that one good day does not win a Test match. He said Pakistan will have to carry on the momentum if they want to put pressure on the Indian batsmen.
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