Having played two warm-up games – a draw against an Indian Board XI and a win against India A – Pakistan were in confident mood going into the first Test match against India in Mohali.
India won the toss and chose to field.
Two quick wickets appeared to justify that decision, but a partnership between Younis Khan and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq stabilised the innings. Then Asim Kamal pushed Pakistan towards a par score on that pitch by making 91 with 14 fours. Pakistan were eventually all out for 312.
India’s replay was built around the innings of opener Virender Sehwag, who made 173, including two sixes and 19 fours. He shared century partnerships with Gautam Gambhir (41), Rahul Dravid (50), and Sachin Tendulkar (95). Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman scored fifties as well.
India were eventually dismissed for 516 on the fourth morning of the match.
Pakistan’s first order of business was to save the match. And at 10/3, that seemed beyond them.
But Inzamam and Mohammad Yousuf steadied the ship with a stand of 139. When Inzamam was out for 86, Yousuf and Kamal continued the resistance.
Yousuf and Kamal both fell for 68, but then the tail began to wag, with Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal sharing a partnership of 184 for the seventh wicket. Both fell in quick succession, Razzaq for 71, and Akmal for 109, but they had more than done the job for their side.
No. 10 Naved ul-Hasan then scored an attacking unbeaten 38, enabling Pakistan to declare from a position of safety of 496/9.
India batted again knowing, set a target of 293 to win, but knowing that there was no time left to win the game. They reached 85/1 in their second innings before the two captains shook hands on the draw.
Akmal’s contribution to Pakistan’s escape was to be awarded the Player of the Match award.