Inzamam hits century

CHRISTCHURCH, MARCH 17. Inzamam-Ul-Haq made New Zealand pay for a fumble in the slips with a century as Pakistan dominated the third day of the second Test against New Zealand here on Saturday.

Pakistan ended the day at 341 for six, 135 runs behind New Zealand's first innings total of 476 with four wickets.

Yousuf Youhana, 73, and Saqlain Mushtaq, 20, were the not out batsmen. Chris Martin bagged two for 106.

Inzamam, who was then on ten, sent a ball to slip- fielder Nathan Astle who dropped it. A similar stroke off Martin's bowling and a catch by New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming finally brought Inzaman's innings to a close. But by that time he had batted 318 minutes, faced 241 balls and hit 22 fours and one six in his knock of 130.

It was a long day in the field with the portable pitch showing an almost unnatural perfection without variation and offering little for any bowler.

Pakistan put on 276 runs during a day dominated by Inzamam's 13th Test century. New Zealand finally got the breakthrough with the new ball. Inzaman was first to go and 15 balls later Younis Khan nicked a Daryl Tuffey ball which flew to a diving catch by wicket keeper Adam Parore.

It offered some brief hope to the home side as Pakistan was still 17 runs behind the follow on mark.

Shortly after Chris Drum had to retire hurt after he dived awkwardly to stop a fast ball. He succeeded, but in the process painfully put his shoulder out, adding to the lengthy injury woes of the home side. Drum, with a dislocated joint in the shoulder, is unlikely to be back in this Test. If he is out his bowling load is likely to go to part timer Craig McMillan.

Pakistan captain Moin Khan, on 28, swung at a flighted ball and sent it straight out to Martin and was caught on the boundary.

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Section  : Sport
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