By Farhana Ayaz

RAWALPINDI, Oct 1: A painstaking unbeaten 132 by opener Saeed Anwar salvaged Pakistan from a self-inflicted middle-order collapse as the home team reached 253 for eight when bad light stopped play on the opening day of the first Test against Australia at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.

Saeed and Mushtaq Ahmed (26) did not hesitate for a moment when the umpires offered them the option to return to the pavilion as heavy overcast conditions caused the light to get deteriorated and the play was terminated for the day with 85 of the stipulated 90 overs bowled.

By that time, Saeed and Mushtaq had added a precious 106 in 127 minutes in their unbroken record ninth-wicket partnership.

In the morning, things started off fine for Pakistan as the crucial toss and decision to bat first gave credence to the inclusion of three spinners in the side.

However, the Australians exhibited why they are a top-rated professional side in the Test arena as they worked stringently hard to snatch back the initiative from the hosts within the first session of the game.

The brittle Pakistan middle-order yet again fell prey to its ambitious and unwanted strokes. None of the batsmen, apart from the one that had Mohammad Hussain, got out to innocuous deliveries that were exceptional.

All credit should also be given to the leadership of Mark Taylor, who, once having broken through the fences, kept the pressure on Pakistan.

The wicket played well, assisting the seamers in the morning session, then started to take slow turn.

Saeed was extremely lucky to survive when Taylor failed to pluck a sharp nick inches from theground in McGrath's second over of the day. The opener had scored only three at the time.

Cashing on his unexpected reprieve, Saeed went on to score his first hundred against the Aussies. Saeed reached his hundred, the sixth of his Test career, in 265 minutes off 180 balls with the help of ten boundaries.

Opener Aamir Sohail, facing Australia for the first time as skipper, was the first to go. After having survived a dropped catch at the total of 10 by wicketkeeper Ian Healy on the first ball of McGrath's third over, Sohail (4) was caught behind in the same over. He got himself half-heartedly committed to a delivery which was outside the off-stump and was rising.

Disaster was just brewing up when Mohammad Wasim, whowas preferred over Yousuf Youhana, gave a simple catch to Healy off Damien Fleming for one. Healy, who required three victims to cross Rod Marsh's world record of most dismissals at the start of the game, now needs one more to cross the record of 355, having equalled his fellow Australian's record with that catch to dismiss Wasim.

Expectations and hopes were resting high with Inzamamul Haq playing in his 48th game and when he struck McGrath for a beautiful cover drive. His intentions of delivering the goods from the middle of the bat were clear. But before the first hour of the first session was over, the Aussies struck again through McGrath who had the Inzamam (14) caught at silly mid-on by Justin Langer. Inzamam also survived a very close leg before decision off Fleming when umpire Javed Akhtar ruled not out to a ball that pitched middle and leg and struck the half-forward batsman just above the knee.

Salim Malik, the most experienced batsmen in the Pakistan side playing in his 97th Test - appeared on a completely different frame of mind on the very ground where he scored a career-best 237 against the same opponents to save the Test four years ago.

Malik's body language suggested that the batsman wanted to blast away the Australians with forceful aggression when he struck the first ball he faced from McGrath to the boundary.

At this stage Taylor brought about the first change from the pavilion end by introducing the 32-year-old debutant Colin Miller in place of Fleming. And it paid immediate dividends when Miller,who became Australia's 379th Test cap, got rid of Malik with the fifth ball of his first over in Test cricket when Taylor brought off a spectacular catch, diving to his right, to the jubilation of team-mates to leave Pakistan in tatters at 35 for four.

All-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who scored a debut century on this ground against South Africa last year, and Saeed got down to business and took the score to 78 for four at lunch. Just before lunch Taylor introduced rookie leg-spinner Stuart MacGill to the attack, who bowled two overs.

MacGill, maybe no Shane Warne, but he proved that he could bowl some impeccable spells that eventually got him four wickets. The first to go after lunch was Azhar Mahmood (16 off 50 balls including three boundaries) who tried to smash the spinner through the off-side but holed out to McGrath at mid-off. Azhar and Saeed added 31 valuable runs for the fifth-wicket.

Pakistan's hundred was up in 37.3 overs.

Moin Khan joined Saeed, and played yet another gutsy innings of 39, studded with six boundaries. However, he too, got out to an ambitious shot off MacGill and spooned a catch to Fleming at point. Moin, who was in a punishing mood, played 71 balls and consumed 65 minutes during a partnership of 59.

Former captain Wasim Akram (0) became MacGill's third victim when he skied a catch to Fleming at deep square leg.

Mohammad Hussain's dismissal off a delivery that bowled him round the wicket was an excellent ball pitched middle and leg.

Pakistan reached the 200-mark in 65.1 overs.

MacGill finished the day as the best bowler by grabbing four for 64 in 21 overs. McGrath claimed two for 79 in 21 overs while Fleming and Miller chipped in with one scalp each.

Earlier in the morning, Pakistan decided to leave out pacer Shoaib Akhtar and took the field with left-handed spinner Mohammad Hussain.

Day 2: Australia overcome early shocks to make 237 for 4

By Farhana Ayaz

RAWALPINDI, Oct 2: Australia staged a great fight back after having lost three quick wickets for 28 to end the day's play with a respectable 237 for four in reply to Pakistan's 269 all out, thanks to a determined 198 runs fourth wicket partnership between opener Micheal Slater (108) and Steve Waugh, not out at 104, on the second day of the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Australia are just 32 runs behind when they resume their first innings on the morning of third day with Steve Waugh and left-handed Darren Lehmann (4).

With the wicket taking very slow turn, the Pakistani bowlers were seen toiling on better part of the day on Friday when a sizable crowd had turned up to watch the absorbing game.

The highlights of the second day's play, however, were centuries by the New South Wales pair, Slater and Steve Waugh which not only steered Australia out of the trouble from a precarious 3 for 28 but will be the pivotal elements in building up a possible lead over the hosts.

Michael Slater, 28, playing in his 39th Test completed his 8th ton of the career off 205 balls laced with 14 attractive strokes to the fence and a lofty six. It was also his second century against Pakistan. His first hundred (110) came in the record breaking 176 runs opening wicket partnership with Mark Taylor (69) scored on this very ground on the last Australian tour.

Slater, who plays for New South Wales like his six other fellow teammates including Taylor, the Waugh brothers, McGrath, MacGill and Gavin Robertson, enjoys a batting average of 46.29 with the highest 219 scored against Sri Lanka at Perth during 1995-96.

His otherwise determined innings had one blemish when dropped by Mohammad Wasim at forward shot leg off Saqlain when at 66.

Steve Waugh who is the most prolific batsmen in Australian side with an average of nearly 49 galvanised his unbeaten innings with 9 boundaries and a mighty six off Saqlain over mid-on. Steve reached the 100 mark in 220 balls in 256 minutes. It was also Steve's second hundred against Pakistan, he scored the first (112) in 1995-96 at Brisbane. With this ton Steve has 15 Test hundreds, 38 fifties and 86 wickets in 104 games. His highest is 200 vs the West Indies at Kingston during 1994-95.

The start of Australian innings was very similar to that of Pakistan. An early collapse was wrought by left arm pacer Wasim Akram struck twice on the last two balls of his fourth over to remove skipper Mark Taylor (3 off 12 balls) and Justin Langer, both left-handed batsmen, for a nought.

Run drought continued for Taylor on Pakistan soil when keeper Moin Khan gratefully accepted a simple deflection after the Australian skipper failed in his effort to push forward a ball pitched just outside the off stump. Taylor had picked up just 106 runs during the last tour featuring three tests. He got a pair at Karachi in the first Test four years ago to start off his captaincy for Australia.

Wasim also got rid of Justin Langer, 27, who had clicked an instant rhythm at the tour opener to set apart KCCA bowling with emphatic 221, his first class best, on the last ball of his fourth over. Langer completely failed to judge the line of the ball and was caught plumb in front for a duck.

At the total of 11, Australia had lost 2 wickets and Wasim was on a hat trick in just under one hour of tourists first innings. Pakistan couldn't have struck back in a better way.

For the hat trick ball with packed close-in fielders, Slater was lucky that his inside edge flew through the gully for a four.

Aamir Sohail introduced leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed in the 10th over when Azhar Mehmood who started the opening spell with Wasim, was taken off after four overs in which he gave away 4 runs. With in the second hour some of the balls started to keep low.

Slater and new batsman Mark Waugh had added just 17 runs for the third wicket when Mushtaq struck another blow in the Aussie camp by getting Waugh leg before. Waugh who stayed at the wicket for 21 minutes and faced 12 balls failed to open his account.

Steve Waugh joined Slater and both carried the score to 55 for 3 in 28 overs at lunch adding 27 runs for the fourth-wicket. Wasim was hit for 12 runs in his 8th over, before he was taken off.

Slater and Steve played through the second session without losing their concentration posting Australia's 100 in 37.1 overs in 144 minutes. They added 95 runs in 25 overs in post lunch session to carry Australia to 150 for 3 in 53 overs at tea with Slater batting on 72 and Steve on 66.

Pakistani bowlers toiling to break the partnership looking very dangerous could only succeed after Slater had completed his hundred. Sohail tried different combinations of spin attack, swapped them from one end to other but remained luckless. The partnership was finally broken when left-arm spinner Mohammad Hussain had Slater, trying to glide down mistimed his stroke and was caught at short extra cover off Mohammad Wasim at the score of 108. Slater faced 236 balls in 298 minutes. The fourth-wicket partnership produced 198 runs. The second highestagainst Pakistan. The highest 217 was recorded by G.S Chappell and G.N Yallop at Faisalabad in 1979-80, the pair also hold the record of 171 runs for the fifth wicket for Australia against Pakistan, although it was equalled by Allan Border and Greg Chappell at Brisbane in 1983-84.

Australia's total was 226 and Steve was batting on 98. Steve went on to complete his hundred off 220 balls consuming 256 minutes. At close left-handed Darren Lehmann who is playing in his second Test after making debut against India at Bangalore last year was batting on 4 while Steve was not out at 104.

Wasim Akram who was seen over stepping and not called on at least three occasions, shared 7 no-balls in his 16 overs giving away 54 for 2 wickets, Mushtaq took 1 for 60 in 23 overs while Hussain got 1 for 24 in 8 overs.

Earlier, Pakistan could add a mere 16 runs to their overnight total of 253 for 8, as Australia wrapped up the innings in 48 minutes off 12 overs. Taylor dropped Saeed for the second time in the innings when the ball popped out of his hands off McGrath. Saeed was on 135. And Steve dropped Mushtaq also off McGrath, however, Mushie was run out without adding a run to his overnight total of 26. Prior to that the enterprising innings of Saeed Anwar came to an end when he was caught by Langer at forward short leg off Stuart MacGill at the total of 145 (275 balls, 386 minutes).

The partnership of 120 in 45.1 overs between Saeed and Mushtaq is a new series record for the ninth-wicket for Pakistan, eclipsing the previous record of 56 between Intikhab Alam and Afaq Hussain at Melbourne in 1964-65.

Leg spinner MacGill playing only in his second Test improved his best bowling figures by claiming 5 wickets for 65 runs in 25 overs. The rookie leg spinner had captured five wickets in debut match against South Africa with best figures of 3-22.

Day 3: Australia seize 244-run first innings lead

A defiant Australian batting led by Steve Waugh (157), Darren Lehmann (98) and Ian Healy (82) secured a crucial 244 runs first innings lead over Pakistan as the tourists piled up 513 all out at the close of the third day's playin the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

At least two very close decisions and four missed catches frustrated Pakistan's hope of wrapping up the Australian innings as early as possible.

When Pakistan begin their second innings on the fourth morning, they will be up against an uphill task. Pakistan 's middle order will have to rise to the occasion with a determined performance to loosen the strong grip of the Australian on the match.

The tourists were set to cross another landmark by recording three centuries by three batsmen in an innings against Pakistan, but the nervous 90's worked on Darren Lehmann who is playing only his second game.

Lehmann, 28, who was preferred over a much experienced Ricky Ponting for the Test, proved his mettle. But his efforts fell short by just two runs of what could have been his first Test hundred.

Lehmann who looked tired after playing 279 minutes was clean bowled by Mohammad Hussain, while trying to sweep a ball that pitched in the middle and came back to dislodge the bails. He faced 181 balls and struck 11 boundaries. The South Australia's left-hand batsman scored 52 in his debut Test against India at Bangalore last year.

Much earlier, just into the second session of the day, the most prized wicket of Steve Waugh was bought by skipper Aamir Sohail who had tried all variations before putting himself on. Steve added 53 runs to his overnight total of 104 to record his highest against Pakistan, 157 off 325 balls in 392 minutes. The innings included 15 flashing strokes to the fence and a six. The fifth wicket partnership between Steve and Lehmann produced 126 runs.

Pakistan had applied off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed to the attack. But, both Steve and Lehmann played through the first session adding 115 runs in 29 overs to frustrate Pakistan's efforts. Although, Mushtaq was extremely unlucky not to have gotten Lehmann's wicket on a catch and bowl shout in his first over when the batsman had added only one run to his overnight total. Umpire Peter Willey from England stayed unmoved when the ball appeared to have come off Lehmann's glove after striking the pads.

In the next over Saqlain bowling his second over could have gotten Steve who tried a late cut but Salim Malik was a little slow to move at first slip as the ball went past his left side.

Lehmann reached his 50 in Hussain's first over of the day, off 68 balls in 113 minutes. While Australia's 300 were posted in the 100th over.

Sohail brought himself on about 20 minutes before lunch as the two batsmen were seen making an extra effort to keep their concentration firmly in place to avoid dismissal. At lunch Australia were 352 for 4 in 113 minutes.

Just after the break, Steve Waugh fell to Aamir Sohail without adding anything to his pre-lunch total of 157. Trying to sweep Aamir he mistimed the stroke and Mohammad Wasim took a simple catch at fine leg. Lehmann was batting on 61 and the total was 352.

It was not the end of the struggle for Pakistan, as Lehmann and Ian Healy produced yet another brilliant partnership for Australia to demoralise the home squad. However, the run rate going at a higher pace when Steve was there, slowed down as Australia posted 76 runs in 30 overs till tea, already 159 runs ahead of Pakistan. Tea was taken with Lehmann 97 and Healy 35.

Into the last session with the two batsmen reaching a mark in their batting, Pakistan skipper put in extra pressure which eventually worked. Lehmann was clean bowled at 98 by Hussain.

It could have been Australia's landmark to record three hundreds by three players against Pakistan. They have done that against England and New Zealand in 1993.

The dismissal of Lehmann produced a spark in Pakistan side who got down to get rid of the tail enders. There were two quick wickets with Damien Fleming (8) clean bowled off a piercing yorker by Wasim Akram and debutant Colin Miller (3) caught and bowled by Mushtaq on a ball that kept low. But, then leg spinner Stuart MacGill (21) joined Healy to post 40 runs for the ninth wicket.

Healy's chancy innings of 82 finally came to an end when Mohammad Wasim caught just inside the fence off Saqlain in the last over. He was dropped at 24 by Mohammad Wasim at third slip off Akram's second spell of the day. That miss also posted 400 for Australia in 133.3 overs when the batsmen crossed for a single.

Akram finished with figures of 3 for 111 in 35 overs, while the spinners shared the other seven wickets to fall. Mushtaq grabbed 2 for 115 in 41 overs, Saqlain took 2 for 112 in 41.5 overs and Hussain had 2 for 66 in 20. Aamir claimed 1 for 54 in 23 overs. In the last session Australia scored 85 runs in 30overs and lost its remaining five batsmen.

Day 4: Australia set to record a historic win

Mark Taylor's side is only onewicket away from a historic win against Pakistan which will be the first Australian win against the hosts on Pakistani soil in 39 years.

Pakistan rescued by rain are still 107 runs behind Australia's first innings total of 513 all out, when bad light stopped play half an hour from extended time here on the fourth day of the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan will resume their second innings at 137 for 9 with Salim Malik (48) and Saqlain Mushtaq (3) on the final day when play starts at 9.30 am.

Heavy drizzle wasted 117 minutes of play and delayed a smashing Australian success following Pakistan's disastrousbatting performance on the penultimate day of the match.

It was back in 1986-87 when Pakistan was beaten by an innings at home. West Indies, led by Viv Richards, won the second Test at Lahore by an innings and 10 runs to level the series 1-1. Pakistan's worst defeat against Australia was in an away series of 1995-96. Pakistan lost first Test by an innings and 126 runs at Brisbane. Australia also beat Pakistan by an innings twice earlier i.e 1983-84 (innings and 9 runs) and in 1972-73an innings and 114 runs.

Australian bowlers gave nothing away but the star of the game was rookie leg spinner Stuart MacGill. He claimed four wickets for 36 runs in 13 overs to demolish Pakistan's batting after pacers Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming made the initial inroads.

On his first tour to Pakistan in the absence of Shane Warne, MacGill, 28, had taken 5 for 66 runs in 22 overs in Pakistan's first innings.

The other star of the day was keeper Ian Healy who finally shattered Rodney Marsh's world record of most dismissals in Test cricket when all rounder Wasim Akram became his 356th victim off debutant Colin Miller.

Here at the start of the fourth day, Pakistan began its second innings in deficit of 244 runs with openers Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwar in front of a large holiday crowd.

The heavy overcast conditions with strong breeze were happily exploited by the Australians as both batsmen were treated to vicious deliveries by the attack bowlers McGrath and Fleming. Skipper Sohail had some anxious moments, having been hit twice on the body since he took off his eyes from the ball, when at 11 he almost gave a catch to Mark Waugh at second slip.

Pakistan's collapse started almost at the click of the first hour with total on 24 when McGrath bowling his second spell sent back Sohail (13) with a ball that came back at the left hander, got the handle of the bat, went between his legs and dislodged the leg stump bales. Sohail faced 39 balls and hit one four.

That dismissal brought further zest into the Australianside as worst was to follow for Pakistan when local cricketer Mohammad Wasim joined Saeed. The two had added mere 8 runs when the collapse began. Three Pakistani batsmen fell at the score of 32 in the space of seven deliveries. Wasim who was at the wicket for 16 minutes without opening his account failed to read the line of the ball from Fleming and was trapped in front for a duck. Fleming also got Wasim's (1) wicket in the first innings when Healy took the catch to tie the world record of most dismissals with Rod Marsh.

In the same over on the third delivery Fleming had master-blaster Inzamam-ul-Haq leg before for nought. Inzamam was beaten offside the off stump on the first ball he faced from Fleming who brought the second one in to trap him unawares. Pakistan 192 behindhad lost 3 wickets for 32 in 18 overs.

But catastrophe was spelled clearly for Pakistan when on the first ball of the next over debutant Colin Miller shouted for a leg before decision on a ball going down the line and Saeed was given out by umpire Peter Willey of England. Many believed that the decision was harsh and the happenings of last evening may have prompted the judgment. Willey had reported to match referee that both Aamir Sohail and Mushtaq Ahmed had used abusive language after a shout over Darren Lehmann was turned down on the third day. The two have reportedly apologised to the umpire but have stated that they did not use abusive language. Sohail told the match referee Peter Vander of South Africa that Mushtaq had said that the TV replay show's Lehmann's glove hadtouched the ball.

Salim Malik who was dropped by Mark Waugh off Fleming when at 2 and Moin Khan, who was promoted in batting order, added 23 runs till lunch to take Pakistan to 55 for 4 in 30 overs. Pakistan was 189 runs behind Australia's first innings total with six second wickets in hand.

Soonafter lunch, Moin who was playingwellwas brilliantly caught by Taylor in the first slip on second attempt off MacGill who was bowling his second over after the break. Moin (18 off 55 balls) shared a 34 runs 5th wicket stand with Salim who was 14 and total at 66. Two runs later all rounder Azhar Mehmood (1) made exit caught by Justin Langer off MacGill at silly mid-on. Pakistan were in most precarious position of 176 behind and one of the biggest defeat at the hands of Australians staring in their face.

Six runs before Pakistan's hundred could be posted Wasim Akram fell to Miller caught behind to provide Healy the world record shattering dismissal number 356th crossing Rod Marsh's feat completed in 96 tests. Healy, 34, got it in his 104th appearance.

Pakistan's 100 was posted in 57.3 overs in 221 minutes of play. Salim Malik was joined by left-arm-spinner Mohammad Hussain and two took the score to 111 for 7 in 59 overs when heavy drizzle disrupted play at 2.28 pm. The two teams decided to take early tea. Pakistan was still 133 runs behind with three second hand wickets in hand. Only continuous rain could have stopped Australia from a well deserved feat.

However, tremendous ground efforts assisted by the ``super sopper'' machine allowed play to resume at 4.45 pm. The game timewas extended till 6.00 pm.

MacGill's last spell of six overs for 6 runs accounted for the wickets of Hussain (17) and Mushtaq Ahmed for a duck. Hussain (17 off 27 ball in 33 minutes) who was striking the ball well to keep the scoreboard rolling fell to a tempting ball outside the off stump from MacGill, as Miller took a simple catch at long on. Mushtaq was given leg before. He faced 10 balls. MacGillcould have given Australia its memorable triumph on the same day but light deteriorated at 5.30 pm and when the batsmen startedwalking toward the pavilion, without a second thought the umpiresgave them the option.

Day 5: Australia record historic win by an innings & 99 runs

RAWALPINDI,Oct 5: Australia celebrated their emphatic winover Pakistan on the latter's soil in 39 years with an imposing marginof an innings and 99 runs on the final day of the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

It took Australians 13 minutes and 23 balls to mop up the Pakistani innings when Saqlain Mushtaq was trapped leg before by McGrath. Eight runs were added to overnight score of 137, the final score being 145 all out.

The last Australian team to have won a Test in Pakistan was back in Nov-Dec 1959. Aussies, led by Richie Benaud, clinched the three match series with a thumping 2-0 success.

Being 107 runs behind Australia's first innings total of 513 all out, Pakistan resumed its nightmarish second innings at 137 for 9 with Salim Malik (48) and Saqlain (7).

Hunting for his tenth victim of the match, leg spinner Staurt MacGill started the proceedings for Australia from the pavilion end. He was hit to the fence by Saqlain in his second over, which were the only runs the off-spinner got.

Salim Malik reached his 50 mark with a drive for a couple offGlenn McGrath's second ball of first over.

Shouts and hands went up on three occasions during the 13 minutes of play before McGrath trapped Saqlain in front on a ball which pitched in the middle and came back at the batsman but appeared to have hit him higher. Umpire Javed Akhtar gave him out.Saqlain made 7 off 25 balls in 31 minutes.

Salim Malik remained not out at 52 (159 balls and 210 minutes) with six boundaries. This was Malik's 29th fifty. He was appearing in his 97th Test for Pakistan. A total of 8 runs were added to the overnight total as Pakistan were all out at 145.

It was also the second lowest total by Pakistan against Australia at home. Records show Pakistan having made 134 at Dacca,(then East Pakistan) in 1959. The match was eventually won by Australia.

Steve Waugh was named man-of-the-match for his precious innings of 157, he shared the vital partnership of 198-run for the fourth-wicket with Micheal Slater (108) not only to lift Australia out of trouble from 3 for 28 but also to build a commanding lead. Other contestants for the award were Saeed Anwar (145), Slater (108), Darren Lehmann (98) and Ian Healy (82).

For Australia, leg-spinner MacGill finished with a match haul of 9 for 113. MacGill playing in his second match after debut against South Africa at Adelaide earlier this year, took 4 for 47 in second innings after having claimed 5 for 66 in the first innings.

McGrath who leads Australia's pace attack claimed 4 for 107 in the match with figures of 2 for 24 in 15.5 overs in second innings. Debutant Colin Miller took 2 for 30 in second innings after having claimed Salim Malik's prized wicket for 65 in the first innings.