New Delhi, Nov 22: India pinned down Pakistan on the mat but could not deliver the knockout punch as the visitors clawed their way back in the first cricket Test with a brilliant rearguard fightback here today.
Electing to bat, Pakistan were tottering at 142 for eight before a defiant unbeaten 68-run ninth wicket partnership between Misbah-ul-Haq (71 not out) and Mohammad Sami (20 not out) steered the team to 210 for eight at close on the opening day at Ferozshah Kotla.
Anil Kumble`s first day as India`s Test captain ended on a rather frustrating note with the two Pakistani batsmen playing out the entire third session before bad light forced play to be called off with four overs still remaining.
The Indians had the game firmly in their control till tea time but just could not polish off the tail on a good batting track.
The in-form Misbah stood bravely amid the ruins and found an able ally in Sami as the duo performed the salvage job without much difficulty.
It was a contrasting performance by the Indian attack, which pinned down Pakistan in the morning -- reducing them to 74 for three -- and then ran through their middle order post-lunch -- picking up five more wickets conceding 68 runs -- before losing the momentum in the final session.
Misbah also featured in a 39-run stand with Akmal (30). Misbah`s 204-ball stellar knock included five boundaries and a six, while Sami was unbeaten on 20 off 77 balls, hitting two fours and a six.
Bureau Report
