da stake casino： Plays of the Day for the third day of the second Test in Lahore
Faras Ghani and Osman Samiuddin in Lahore10-Oct-2007
Makhaya Ntini finally rose from slumber © AFP
Ntini triple-strike
Makhaya Ntini hasn’t had his best series so far. Until this afternoon, hehad taken a single wicket and looked flatter than the pitches he had beenserved. Mickey Arthur, South Africa’s coach, was asked yesterday aboutNtini’s form and his response was prescient. “I am sure he will contributeat some point during this Test. He just needs a little luck.” Ntini dulyobliged, with three wickets in one over to hasten Pakistan’s abysmal firstinnings. He was only a few inches short of a hat-trick, but given hisform, he probably wouldn’t mind too much.Boucher reaches 400
The Ntini triple-strike will be remembered not only by the bowler himself,but a certain Mark Boucher as well, who, after equalling Ian Healy’srecord for most Test dismissals in the first Test, reached the magic 400figure today. Danish Kaneria’s edge may have been the simplest of takes ofBoucher’s career but one he is certain to remember for years to come as notmany on the field would have noticed the milestone amid the celebration.Inzi-watch
The last Test Inzamam-ul-Haq will play has not been a memorable one sofar. Much rested on him overnight, but he was out to the sixth ball hefaced this morning – an unsure fiddle outside the off stump – leaving him sixshort of breaking Javed Miandad’s record for most Test runs by a Pakistan batsman. In the field, Inzi was Inzi. He let one cover drive from Jacques Kallis go straightthrough his legs for a boundary. Two overs later though, he dived – or laydown quickly – to get his hands to another cover drive, denying Kallis aboundary. With South Africa on their way to setting a huge target, Inzihas only one more opportunity to put a special stamp on his last Test.Beards are us
It was the discussion that dominated the day: was the sudden facialhirsuteness (calling them beards might be stretching it) exhibited by MarkBoucher and Jacques Kallis a tribute to one of the greatest beards of all,Inzamam-ul-Haq? After the guard of honour yesterday it wouldn’t be asurprise. No one from the South African camp was available for comment onthe issue, further fueling rumours, after Andre Nel’s yesterday, that the three were contemplating a change of faith.Light has now become lighter
Pakistan’s decision of playing a Test with only four specialist bowlersfor the second time running has mystified one and all. Playing two fastbowlers in the heat and batsmen-friendly conditions generally signals theintroduction of a spinner fairly early. However, as Kaneria was handed theball in only the eighth over of the innings, a few eyebrows were raised.As Mohammad Asif walked off the field, and the news of his elbow injurycirculated, Pakistan’s light attack had become even lighter. With only onefast bowler remaining, plus a deficit of 305 already, Shoaib Malik may notsleep that well tonight.