Pakistani batsmen slip on captain's birthday by AFP

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Ground:	Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharmasala
Scorecard:	Indian Board President's XI v Pakistanis
Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq, Taufeeq Umar, Asim Kamal
Event:	Pakistan in India 2004/05

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DateLine: 3rd March 2005

 

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq had little to cheer about on his birthday as his batsman floundered against pace in a practice match ahead of a Test series against India here.

 

Pakistan were wobbling at 83-4 against a Board President's team before reaching 165-5 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day Thursday of a three-day game.

 

Inzamam, who turned 35 on Thursday, steadied the innings with a 72-run stand for the fifth wicket with Asim Kamal (43 not out) but was dismissed when looking well-set.

 

The Pakistani captain made a fluent 35 before falling leg-before while attempting to sweep off-spinner Venugopala Rao.

 

Pacemen Gagandeep Singh, Rudra Pratap Singh and Shib Shankar Paul rattled Pakistan's top order as they shared three wickets to put the tourists on the back foot after Inzamam had won the toss in overcast conditions.

 

Just 45 overs were completed due to bad light and drizzle at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, hosting its first-ever international match.

 

But the tourists failed to make the most of their only warm-up game before the opening Test of a three-match series against India, starting at Mohali on March 8.

 

Pakistan were off to a solid start on a slow pitch as left-handed openers Taufeeq Umar and Salman Butt put on 54 runs in 11 overs.

 

The slide began when Butt was run out for 21 following a mix-up with Umar. The tourists then lost three wickets in the space of 29 runs.

 

Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan was dismissed off the first ball, brilliantly caught by Dheeraj Jadhav off Gangandeep.

 

Reliable middle-order batsman Yousuf Youhana (18) excecuted a couple of handsome shots before inside-edging a Paul delivery to wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel.

 

Umar (37) had been looking confident during his 99-minute stay at the crease before giving a bat-pad catch to skipper Mohammad Kaif at short mid-wicket.

 

Inzamam and Kamal then propped up the innings with their sensible knocks, but Pakistan's batting still left a lot to be desired ahead of the Test series.

 

Pakistan will also play six one-day international on their tour of India, their first in six years.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)