Story India International Season (1st Test Faisalabad. Tea on Day 1. India in control)

[Highlander999]

Tea on Day 1: India in control​

So Pakistan were in a bit of trouble going into Lunch. Sehwag looked to be in excellent form and Dravid had just arrived at the crease. What they really needed was an early wicket in the Afternoon session. However this did not come due to Inzamam racking the overs up by himself. The Pakistan fans began to boo every delivery but it had no effect on Inzamam who carried on putting down these slow deliveries which Dravid and Sehwag were loving and taking advantage of. Already there are rumours going around of match-fixing. The police have said they will investigate. Soon the 50 partnership was reached between Dravid and Sehwag.

Finally when it seemed like an eternity, the crowd finally snapped due to Inzamam's captaincy skills. People outside the grounds started to riot and burn cars and Younis Khan was hit on the head by a rock. The riot police were called in and quickly broke the rioters up. Meanwhile the match had been halted and the players took shelter inside. Younis Khan was OK and was able to take to the field again when play resumed.

This incident seemed to wake Inzamam up and he started to rotate the bowlers. The reappearance of Shoiab Akhtar was greeted with ironic cheers by the home fans. And surprise, surprise Pakistan got the wicket of Sehwag who had looked to be in excellent touch. Attempting to sweep Afridi he top edged it to Rana Naved. It had been a very good knock by Sehwag who had looked in good form and he was unlucky not to make his 100.

The new man was Sourav Ganguly a man who has been given a second chance in this new Indian team line-up. He didn't hang around however when Rana Naved got his first come back wicket when Ganguly edged him to Afridi at third slip. India were beginning to falter now at 162/4 with Sourav going back to the pavillion with a big 0 next to his name.

However, India's hero, the man who they love to love and love to hate came to their rescue. Rahul Dravid. A very calm man he reached his 50 with plenty of stylish shots and it only took 99 balls, so one of his faster Test fifties . Dravid raised both his arms in acknowledgement of the Indian fans who were cheering themselves hoarse. As it was the last ball of the session that Dravid scored his 50 of he was able to walk of with the cheers ringing in his ears.

Dhoni and Dravid reached the end of the session with India on 206/4 and the partnership nearing 50. India were in a much better position now. Dhoni had been playing some very agressive shots against the spin bowlers and his 20 had come of 31 balls so far. There had been two wickets that had fallen in that session, Sehwag and Ganguly which should hopefully give the Pakistani fans something to cheer about. Here is the scorecard at tea.

Apart from Inzamam it had not been a bad performance with the ball by Pakistan. Afridi had been a bit expensiv but had got 2 crucial wickets. However with Inzamam dominating most of the bowling the others could really improve their figures.

Tea Day 1

India 206/4
R.Dravid 55* (99)
M.Dhoni 20* (31)

Shahid Afridi - 14.0-1-62-2
Danish Kaneria - 9.0-1-19-1

So an eventful session. Claims of match fixing, a riot, a 50 partnership, two wickets and then a 50 for Dravid. Let's hope the next session holds just as many surprises to keep the fans entertained.

 

[Left_Hander]

Inzamam bowling . Pakistan are going well here. Dravid is batting good.

 

[Karachi Xpress]

Inzamam bowling Good bowling by Afridi and good batting by Dravid and Sehwag. A couple of quick wickets will be very good for Pakistan.

 

[kookaburra69]

Oh what a bugger Sehwag couldnt produce a century,just to clarify...Did Izamam have a heart attack after bowling thoese 16 overs

 

[Roofrom50]

A solid 50 from Dravid, good work mate, keep it up