Afridi Sets Up Exciting Contest

The second Test between arch rivals India and Pakistan was poised on a razor's edge asShahid Afridi cracked a blistering half century to provide a blazing start for the visiting team's chase of a mammoth 422to win.

Chasing an improbable target after India had declared their second innings at 407 for nine, Pakistan swung themomentum a bit in their favour as they raced to 95 for one at close on the fourth day.

India managed to rein in the high flying Pakistanis when they had Afridi caught by captainSaurav Ganguly at short fine leg when he top edged Anil Kumble in the penultimate over.

Afridi, who had fashioned the visitors memorable victory in the Chennai Test of the 1999 tour, was going hammer and tongs before succumbing to the guiles of Kumble.

His hurricane 59 included nine fours besides two screaming sixes off Harbhajan Singh and IrfanPathan.

Opening batsman Taufeeq Umar played the sheet anchor's role to perfection and added 93 runs for the opening stand that has placed the see-saw battle on a knife's edge.

Umar was batting on 29 with vice-captain Younis Khan yet open his account at the crease at stumps.

India were however on a stronger footing after a record ton from Rahul Dravid and a gritty half century bywicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Kaarthick helped them set up a daunting task for Pakistan.

Dravid became only the second Indian and sixth-ever to record two separate centuries in a match twice after cracking 135 while Kaarthick slammed an attacking 93.

The Indian innings today revolved around a 165-run fifth wicket partnershipbetween Dravid and Kaarthick after skipper Saurav Ganguly was dismissed cheaplyand V.V.S. Laxman retired hurt in the morning session.

Dravid, who spent a long time on 99, reached his 20th hundred in 88 Tests byplaying Afridi to the point region for a single.

The stand came to an end after Dravid departed trying to hit Danish Kaneriaover the ropes, but the ball landed in the hands of Asim Kamal at long off.

Kaarthick, who played confidently hitting an array of delightful strokes,returned soon after as he attempted to sweep Kaneria, missed and was bowledaround the legs.

But his innings was more than a strong support for the tiring Dravid and madeup for the cheap dismissal of Ganguly and retirement of Laxman.

Laxman, hit by a Mohammad Sami delivery on the left eye-brow, came out to batafter Dravid's dismissal and played some brave shots, including an inside outsix off Kaneria.

The bowler though had the last laugh when Laxman stepped out to him again,was beaten and stumped for a valuable 24.

Earlier, Dravid, with a 110 in the first innings, became only the sixthbatsman in the game's history to twice score two separate centuries in a Test.

He had earlier scored 190 and 103 not out against New Zealand at Hamilton in1999.

Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Arvinda de Silva, George Headley and HerbertSutcliffe are the other players to have achieved the feat before.

Only Sunil Gavaskar has recorded twin hundreds three times in his career.

Dravid, who was unbeaten on 54 overnight, unleashed a series of delectableshots all round the park, much to the joy of over 60,000 spectators who gatheredat the Eden Gardens to watch the match which seems headed for a decisive finish.

The day began with Dravid continuing to look solid. The 'Mr Dependable' ofthe Indian team disdainfully dispatched pacer Abdul Razzaq to the ropes at extracover before sending Kaneria to the deep thirdman fence.

Ganguly also got into the act and used his wrists well to pick up a boundaryof Sami through deep fine leg.

But the Indian captain virtually threw his wicket away as he tried to pullSami from outside the off-stump and only managed a top edge.Sami ran to shortmid on and gleefully accepted the skier.

More trouble was in store for the Indians as the stylish Laxman was hit by arising delivery from Sami and had to retire hurt after facing only five balls,with the team score reading 156/4.

Kaarthick remained composed from the outset.

The 19-year old Chennai cricketer announced his arrival with a straightdriven four of Sami and followed it up by exquisitely driving Kaneria to the mid-wicketfence as 32 runs came in the first hour.

PTI