For the Indian bowlers, this series is turning out to be one long nightmare. The pitch has played it’s part but you cannot blame anybody when you do not put the ball in the right areas. The day started with Abdul Razzaq coming out to bat with Afridi as Inzamam recovered from a strained back. Afridi played a phenomenal knock, as only he can. The bowlers helped by bowling friendly short balls and he smashed them at will. He did have a good slice of luck but you make your own luck when you bat like that. Consider this, he got to 150 from 50 in just 62 balls!

By the time he left for a marauding 156 off only 128 balls, the score read 467. Irfan continued to serve drivel and I thought Rahul under bowled Rudra Pratap in the morning. He was probably protecting him from Afridi who was going hammer and tongs at the bowlers. Inzamam returned with a runner and duly completed his century. He was out to the ball of the match from Zaheer. He angled one in which seamed away after pitching and kissed the bat en route to a grateful Dhoni.

Shoaib Akhtar rode his luck to notch his highest test score, 47 off 54 with 3 sixes. Danish Kaneria was last out at 588, the only player to be bowled this series! On a pitch like this, the ability to bowl good yorkers is priceless. Unfortunately, none of our bowlers have the ability to do that consistently. Zaheer used to be good at it, but that was a long time ago. For Karachi, Irfan should be third choice seamer. Rudra Pratap finished with four, Zaheer and Kumble with three each. Pathan’s 19 overs cost 106 for no return.

India got off the blocks quickly and were helped by some poor fielding. Shoaib bowled a hostile opening spell with good control, pitching the ball up and clocking over 90 miles per hour. The Indian batsmen played him watchfully and he is still looking for his first wicket this series. Sehwag was surprised by the bounce of one from Razzaq and was taken by Imran Farhat at second slip for 31.

Rahul and VVS batted solidly to end the day at 110/1 with Rahul on 46 and VVS on 28. The pitch is still pretty flat but the occasional ball has kept low and some have bounced awkwardly. This can only get worse with time and the Indian batsmen will have to play very well to save this match. It is imperative that they not concede a first innings lead. It is a big ask, but inevitable on these flat pitches when you have such toothless bowlers. It is going to be a lot tougher than Lahore.