By Samiul Hasan

PESHAWAR, Oct 15: Mark Taylor slammed his 19th career century and maiden Test century was just round the corner for Justin Langer as Australia put a stranglehold over Pakistan in the second cricket Test which started at the Arbab Niaz Stadium here on Thursday.

When the umpires finally decided to end the play because of bad light with 21 overs still remaining, the tourists, who lead the three-Test series 1-0, were 224 for one after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

The weather has taken for the worse as a heavy drizzle started around 7.30 in the evening.It was still raining till the filing of this report.

Taylor lived dangerously for his unconquered 112, first century by any batsman at this venue, but Langer played a flawless unbeaten innings of 97.

Taylor's 240-ball knock is studded with 13 exquisite boundaries and a six off Shoaib Akhtar at square-leg. He has been occupying the crease for 319 minutes.

Langer's patient and watchful 268-minute knock is spiced with nine sweetly timed boundaries. He has received 156 balls after having reached his half century off only 68 balls.

Taylor and Langer turned down over a dozen offers made to them by the umpires for bad light. But the men in white coat finally called off play at 4:19 p.m. when Mohammad Zahid's three balls flew past Taylor which left the left-hander almost down on his knees.

``I was not offered the light. Had the umpires made an offer, I would have rejected it and would not have accepted until Justin Langer had reached his first Test century,'' Australian skipper Mark Taylor told reporters after the day's play.

``The light was not that bad. We could have continued,'' he added.

The batsmen might not agree with the umpires decision as they were mauling a tired and pedestrian Pakistan bowling without an ill Wasim Akram. But the fact is that the decision had been taken in the best interest of the batsmen.

Pakistan, who suffered a body blow early in the morning when Wasim Akram pulled out because of flu after already suffering from a throat infection, showed greasy palms when they dropped Mark Taylor twice before he had reach the 30-mark.

The guilty on both the occasions was Saeed Anwar who has one of the safest pair of hands in the Pakistan team. The bowler who suffered both times was Mushtaq Ahmad.

The Australian captain was first let down at extra-cover when on 18. He was then given another life on 27 when the Pakistan opener dropped an absolute sitter at silly-point.

Taylor also had a narrow escape against Shoaib Akhtar when he nearly dragged the fifth ball of the third over of the morning onto his stumps. But the ball just whisked passed the leg stump for the first boundary of the match.

Taylor pounced at the rare opportunities by reaching his half century with a stylish hook in front of the wickets. When on 91, he struck a six and ran three singles in a space of five balls to reach a fighting century which must give a new lease of life to his sinking international career.

Langer batted with admirable concentration and application to stroke a text book 97. He would have surely reached three figures had the umpires delayed their ultimate decision for another over.

The determination of Langer, struggling to cement his place in the Australia Test after having played only 10 Tests since making his debut in 1992-93, can be judged from the fact that shortly after lunch, he had started limping with a hamstring injury. But he continued to prosper by displaying a variety of strokes.

Langer also had his share of luck when he survived a very close lbw shout on the first ball he faced off Shoaib Akhtar. But barring that, it was a brilliant innings and a lesson to the budding batsmen.

The two stroke-makers have, so far put on 208 runs for the unfinished second wicket after Rawalpindi last Test's centurion Michael Slater had departed at the score of 16. He fell to a regulation catch by Azhar Mahmood at gully off Shoaib Akhtar.

This partnership should be the cornerstone of a massive first innings score which might earn Australia another psychological advantage over Pakistan. Any score over 500, which looks very much on the cards barring a miraculous collapse, would leave the Pakistanis with a mountain to climb in the background of their dismal performance at Rawalpindi and particularly against Stuart MacGill who captured nine wickets for 108.

Pakistan's young guns, Mohammad Zahid and Shoaib Akhtar, were totally exposed on a wicket which was not too bad if bowled to good line and length. To rub salt into the wound, Mushtaq Ahmad turned out to be a shadow of himself when he failed to extract anything from the track.

``I was very relieved to see the Pakistan team minus Wasim Akram. Without him (Wasim Akram), Pakistan side is not the same one,'' Mark Taylor remarked.

Zahid and Shoaib, who have played eight Tests between them, bowled at a lightening pace in the first session but lacked the correct length. Either they bowled too short or pitched the ball upto the batsmen. At times, they were wayward which gave the Australian batsmen enough width to play strokes to parts of the ground.

As the wicket, which had early moisture, dried out and ball lost its hardness and shine, Akhtar and Zahid lost whatever punch they had in their bowling.

Taylor was extremely ruthless on Akhtar when he punished him for five boundaries with graceful hooks which are rarely seen in cricket today because of restriction on short-pitched deliveries.

To mention here, Zahid is playing his first Test in almost 18 months while Akhtar played earlier this year in South Africa.

Nevertheless, Taylor complimented Zahid and Akhtar by saying they were the fastest he has ever faced. ``Coming from 50 yards and bowling flat out, it was a matter of survival earlier in the innings. They are really quick, faster than I have faced anyone,''he said.

Pakistan must be cursing their luck to get a beautiful wicket but without having the services of Wasim Akram. Akram would have definitely made a difference and there might have been a different story to write than to tell had he been fighting fit.

Pakistan preferred to have three specialist bowlers with Azhar Mahmood and Aamir Sohail as back-up as Wasim Akram was ruled out because of indisposition.

Day 2: Taylor threatens to break Lara's world record

By Samiul Hasan

PESHAWAR, Oct 16: Brian Lara's world record of 375 is under severe threat of being broken by Australian skipper Mark Taylor whose breath-taking and unconquered triple century added to Pakistan's agonies in the crucial second cricket Test at the Arbab Niaz Stadium here on Friday.

When the closure was applied for the second day, Taylor was going great guns on 334 with the scoreboard showing 599 for four, a depressing and demoralizing reading for any Pakistani. With Taylor was Ricky Ponting batting on 76.

Taylor, who also became Australia's fourth batsman to complete 7,000 runs in Test cricket after Allan Border (11174), David Boon (7422) and Greg Chappell (7110), needs another 41 runs to equal Lara's score which he had got against England at St John's, Antigua, in the 1993-94 season.

``I will talk to my player this evening whether I should go for the record. Naturally, the bowlers will be left with little time to get 20 wickets which are required to win the match and series,'' Mark Taylor said diplomatically.

``Winning the series in the sub-continent is on top of the priority list. We haven't won here for years,'' he added.

Taylor, who resumed this morning at 112, continued to toy with Pakistan bowlers by hammering them to both sides of the wickets today as he scored an incredible 222 runs.

Unlike the first day, Taylor was more confident when he ruthlessly hooked, pulled, cut and drove the erratic and purposeless Pakistani bowling.

The 33-year-old from New South Wales reached his double century from 360 balls with 22 boundaries and a six while completed his triple century off 520 deliveries with 30 boundaries and a six. To recall, he had notched up his 19th Test century last evening from 210 balls with 12 fours and a six.

Taylor, who also equalled Australia's all-time top score of 334 with legendary Sir Donald Bradman, brought up his triple century with a glorious cover drive off Mushtaq Ahmad. He earlier in the day had completed his double century with an exquisite bowler's back-drive off the same bowler.

Taylor, whose 334 is the highest individual innings on Pakistan soil, has so far received 564 balls during a marathon 12-hour knock. He has smashed 30 boundaries and a six. This speaks volumes of his patience, concentration and application.

Taylor, earlier in the morning, was not even over-awed by last evening's heavy downpour nor the new ball taken by Aamir Sohail in the 82nd over could dent his confidence. He grew from strength to strength as his innings progressed and in the final session was seen in full cry when he stroked the ball at will.

The way Taylor is batting, it seems that there is only one man who can dismiss him i.e. Mark Taylor himself. The Pakistani bowling has no punch to get his wicket nor the fielders have safe hands to grab the opportunity to end his innings. It would not be out of context to mention here that Pakistan fielders have proved once again that they have the worst pairs of hands in cricket today.

Like Thursday, when Taylor was dropped twice by Saeed Anwar when 18 and 27, the left-hander provided the home team fielders with a couple of run-out opportunities. But the throws failed to hit the wickets. At least once, Taylor was three yards short of his crease but Salim Malik's return went pass the stumps.

Taylor's record-breaking innings overshadowed a maiden Test century by Justin Langer, a fluent half century by Ricky Ponting, a dubious caught behind decision against Steve Waugh and three century partnerships.

Langer, who started today at 97, took another 15 balls to reach the magical figure for the first time in 10 Tests. He was, however, dismissed shortly while trying to play a forceful square-cut and ending up finding an inside edge which was accepted with thanks by Moin Khan.

Langer's two minutes over six hours of batting comprised 10 boundaries. He faced 212 balls.

Together with Taylor, he put on 279 runs for the second wicket which was a new partnership record for Australia against Pakistan. The previous best partnership score was 259 between Wayne Phillips and Graham Yallop, also for the second wicket.

Mark Waugh, the most elegant stroke-maker in cricket today, couldn't display his talent for too long. While trying to hit Aamir Sohail against the spin, he found a top edge and Salim Malik made no mistake at mid-wicket. Waugh's 107-ball 42 included three boundaries.

He shared in a 123-run third wicket partnership with Taylor.

Mark was replaced by his twin, Steve, who fell victim to a dubious decision. He was declared caught behind by Steve Bucknor off Shoaib Akhtar's first ball of the sixth spell when the ball appeared to have brushed his back leg before going into the gloves of wicket-keeper Moin Khan.

Ricky Ponting took over from Steve Waugh and played some handsome, flawless and eye-catching strokes to be not out on 76 at the draw of stumps. Ponting has struck six boundaries in his 147-ball knock, including three handsome straight drives off Shoaib Akhtar.

The two have put on 168 for the unfinished fifth wicket. Another four runs would set a new fifth wicket partnership record for Australia against Pakistan.

Shoaib Akhtar was the most impressive Pakistani bowler when he captured two wickets for 107 off 31 overs. But he lacks variety and has his own limitations. Most of the time he wasted his energy by bowling too short which were either left by the batsmen or hooked, specially by Taylor.

Pakistan must be regretting their decision of going into the Test with one bowler short. Aamir Sohail proves the point by bowling 42 overs and making Salim Malik turn down 16.

After two day's of play, one thing has become crystal clear Australians cannot lose the Test. As far as Pakistan is concerned, they have a daunting task ahead. Their first objective would be to avoid the follow-on which they had failed to do when the tourists had scored 513 at Rawalpindi.

Not to condemn the talent and skills of Pakistani batsmen, but rain, which is still in the air, might be the only thing which could save them from losing the series with a Test to be played.

Day 3: Taylor takes the gloss from Saeed and Ijaz

By Samiul Hasan

PESHAWAR, Oct 17: A highly debatable declaration by Australian skipper Mark Taylor at the overnight score took the gloss from Pakistan who staged a spectacular fight back through Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmad in the second cricket Test here on Saturday.

Taylor, who was overnight 334, declared Australia's first innings at last evening's score of 599 for four to leave a sizable crowd, a battery of experts and mediamen stunned.

Off-the-field, the debate continued throughout the day why Taylor did not chase the world record score of 375 held by Brian Lara. But on-the-field, Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmad held the Australian bowlers by the scruff of their necks to slam punishing centuries.

When the stumps were drawn for the third day, Pakistan had sprinted to 329 for two with Ijaz Ahmad batting on 125 and Inzamam-ul-Haq unbeaten on 31.

Pakistan are now in with an outstanding chance of drawing the Test and keeping alive the prospects of holding Australia to a 1-all draw in the three-Test rubber. The home team requires another 71 runs to make the visitors bat again.

Saeed Anwar, who hit a brisk 145 in the first Test, followed up with another magnificent 126 to make amends for dropping Taylor twice on the first day when 18 and 27. The swashbuckler, who already has 15 one-day centuries, took his tally of hundreds to seven from 34 Tests.

The high-flying Stuart MacGill, who was still basking in his match-winning first Test analysis of 9 for 108, was brought down to earth with a bang when he was hammered for 89 runs from 20 wicketless overs.

Glenn McGrath was hit for 86 runs from his 20 overs. But he had the satisfaction of picking up the scalp of Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail who virtually threw away his wicket by needlessly hooking him and falling in the trap.

The closest MacGill came to getting a wicket was when Ijaz Ahmad, on 99, upishly tried to square-cut him but Ricky Ponting failed to grasp a difficult catch at backward-point. A ball later, a much better shot off the same bowler at same position brought Ijaz's ninth Test century and fourth against Australia.

Ijaz Ahmad, who was dropped from the first Test which Pakistan lost by an innings and 99 runs, smacked 20 boundaries in a high class innings spanning little under five-and-a-half hours during which he received 242 balls.

Ijaz struck very powerful pulls and cuts to bring the excited crowd on their feet in almost every over. Even greatest puller like Vivian Richards would feel proud to owe the pulls Ijaz displayed in his enthralling innings.

Ijaz's cuts were as delightful to watch. He severely punished anything short with so much power that the ball crossed the fence in a fraction of a second. A few of his on-side shots proved he was wristy too.

Ijaz reached his half century from 87 balls with nine boundaries and took another 123 balls and seven boundaries to reach the magical figures.

Saeed Anwar was as exciting as his partner Ijaz. He played glorious drives in front of the wickets but frustrated Damien Fleming in the first session by hitting four boundaries in six balls between the third slip and gully.

Saeed, at times, looked like getting out anytime when he played and missed but that's the way he plays. His innings finally ended when he was caught behind by Ian Healy off Colin Miller.

Saeed's superlative innings was punctuated with 18 boundaries and three huge sixes - two off MacGill. He received 226 balls during a 289-minute knock.

Saeed completed his half century from 71 balls with eight boundaries and a six while his century came off a massive six off Mark Waugh. He took 163 balls for reaching three figures and hit 16 boundaries and three sixes.

Together with Ijaz, Saeed put on 211 runs for the second wicket in just 252 minutes.

Though a long Pakistan batting is to follow, Saeed and Ijaz once again proved the point how much Pakistan was an unpredictable side. In Rawalpindi, they batted twice and even could score not 514 runs to lose the Test by an innings. But now their scoreboard reads 329 for two.

``There will be no greater feeling than winning a series in Pakistan. I wanted to seal the series here,'' Taylor told reporters.

``Secondly, I feel more honoured to be bracketed with Sir Donald Bradman rather than achieving a record,'' Taylor, who now shares Australia's top individual along with the 90-year-old icon.

Taylor was just 42 short of creating history and if practically seen, it would not have taken him more than an hour to break the record barring his dismissal before reaching the record.

However, the other school of thought was that while he would have taken an hour to reach the world record, Ricky Ponting, who was overnight 76, would have also neared his century. Taylor was then ethically bound to give Ponting an equal chance to score century.

The experts supporting Taylor's decision added that the wicket in the last two days have assisted the seamers in the first session because of early morning moisture. They argued that Pakistan were already under mental and physical pressure and had Australia picked up two or three wickets in the first session, they might have been in a position to force a follow-on.

As the situation of the match stands at present, Taylor's fan club might be wondering what difference would it have made if he had batted for even the entire first session.

This match might go in the record books as a drawn Test. But it will be long remembered for Taylor's decision of not going after the world record.

Day 4: A century at Peshawar eludes Inzamam for third time

By Samiul Hasan

PESHAWAR, Oct 18: Inzamam-ul-Haq was unlucky to score a century for the third time at Peshawar and fifth of career as the second cricket Test between Australia and Pakistan headed for a draw at the Arbab Niaz Stadium here on Sunday.

In front of around 5,000 enthusiastic and festive crowd, Inzamam was dismissed for 97 as Pakistan declared their first innings at 580 for nine in reply to Australia's 599 for four declared. Interestingly, it was the first time in 16 Tests that Pakistan had crossed the 500-mark.

At stumps, Australia were 21 for no loss.

The home team resumed this morning at 329 for two and needed another 71 runs to make the visitors bat again.

Once the follow-on was saved with a sweetly-timed boundary by Inzamam, the fate of the match was sealed. It was a great and spirited fight back by the Pakistanis whose chips had been down in the first two day's of play.

But the stroke-makers showed their grit, determination and skills with some handsome innings spiced with fascinating stroke-play. The batsmen showed that they were the real flat-track bullies when they reduced the dangerous Australian bowlers to nothing but club standard.

Inzamam fell to part-timer Steve Waugh when he tried to guide the ball towards third-man but ended up finding an edge which was accepted with thanks by Ian Healy.

It was the third straight time that Inzamam became a victim of nervous 90s. In the inaugural Test here in 1995-96, he was trapped in front of wickets by Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas for 95 and last year he was left stranded at 92 after running out of partners.

In addition to this, Inzamam was dismissed for 95 in the one-off Test against S. Africa at Johannesburg in 1994-95 and missed the magical figures against the same opposition last year at Faisalabad when he was out for 96.

He now holds the Pakistan record of getting dismissed in 90s for the highest number of times. He previously shared the record with Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad and Majid Khan who were out in the nervous 90s four times each.

Inzamam's attractive 185-ball innings was laced with 16 scorching boundaries. He batted for little over four hours and completed his 21st Test half-century off 116 balls with nine hits to the fence.

``After today, I am convinced that I would never get a century on this venue. I was cautious and watchful but one silly shot and I missed yet another century,'' the 27-year-old Inzamam said later.

``Nevertheless, the innings has boosted my confidence before the third Test which is so very important for Pakistan,'' added the veteran of 49 Tests.

Pakistan's total was further boosted by a career-best 155 by Ijaz Ahmad who had resumed this morning at 125. His superlative innings spanned over six-and-a-half hours. He faced 282 balls out of which 24 were converted into thundering boundaries.

Ijaz's innings ended when he tried to cut a wide ball from Stuart MacGill to become one of the four Ian Healy victims.

Inzamam and Ijaz shared an exciting 115-run third wicket partnership that came off only 133 minutes of association.

Former captain Salim Malik chipped in with a useful 124-ball 49 that included seven boundaries.

However, his dismissal following that of Inzamam-ul-Haq and later Moin Khan indicated that the Pakistan players were not as mentally alert as their counterparts. Inzamam and Malik departed just before their personal landmarks while Moin's soft dismissal came in the last over before tea.

Mushtaq Ahmad once again proved that he was by no means a rabbit with the bat when he scored a rapid 48 not out that comprised six sizzling boundaries and a six off Mark Waugh.

Mushtaq, who was denied of a third Test half-century when Aamir Sohail declared the innings at the fall of Mohammad Zahid, was dropped twice when 40 and 48 by the Waugh twins Mark and Steve, respectively.

Besides the disappointment of Inzamam not reaching his century, highly promising Yousuf Yohanna also failed to capitalize the advantage of batting on a placid track. He was dismissed for 28 when he tried to pull MacGill but was caught at short-mid-wicket by Steve Waugh.

Stuart MacGill got the real taste of bowling on sub-continent wickets when he was hammered to both sides of the wickets. His 42 overs cost him 169 runs. Glen McGrath bowled his heart out and though was struck for 131 runs, managed to finish as pick of the tourists bowlers with three wickets.

His new-ball partner Damien Fleming was the third bowler who completed his century of runs. He gave away 103 runs while utility bowler Colin Miller missed the three figures by one run.

Day 5: Taylor misses century in second innings

By Samiul Hasan

PESHAWAR, Oct 19: Skipper Mark Taylor missed a century after having scored a triple century in the first innings as the second cricket Test between Australia and Pakistan ended in a draw at the Arbab Niaz Stadium here on Monday.

The draw meant that Australia lead the three-Test series 1-0 with the final match starting at Karachi from Oct 22.

For a moment, it looked Mushtaq Ahmad would spin Pakistan to an unlikely victory when he picked up wickets in his fourth and eighth overs of the day to reduce the tourists to 67 for two.

But Taylor sewed Pakistan's hopes with an aggressive 92. And by the time he got out at the Australian score of 170, the fate of the match had already been sealed as a draw.

When both the captains agreed to call off the match with seven overs still remaining, Australia had reached 289 for five. They led Pakistan by 308 runs.

It was an absolutely uncharacteristic innings by Mark Taylor better known for his patience, nerves of steel and selective stroke-play. He appeared little interested in achieving what only Graham Gooch had achieved in 122-year history of Test cricket - triple century and a century in the same match. Gooch accomplished the distinction against India at Lord's eight years ago when he scored 333 and 123.

Taylor threw away his bat at everything until he dragged the ball onto his stumps while trying to pull his counterpart Aamir Sohail against the spin.

Before his dismissal, he flashed at everything and most of the time missed the line of the ball. A couple of times, the ball landed just in front of the fielders.

One is not sure if he wanted to impress the selectors at home about his one-day skills. To recall, Taylor is not selected in the team for one-day internationals. The same is likely to happen when the side for the Dhaka tournament is named this week.

In the first innings, he declared Australia's first innings at 599 when batting on 334 and needing another 42 to break Brian Lara's world record of 375. He had claimed that he declared in the better interest of the game and Australia.

But that certainly can't be the argument now as on the fifth day the match was heading for nothing but a draw. The attitude of Taylor was quite confusing and earlier statements contradicting the present situation.

``I am disappointed in missing the century. The ball kept a little low and that's why I dragged it onto my stumps,'' Taylor gave reason of his dismissal.

It might be just a coincidence that a Mumbai-based Indian by the name of Sachin Bajaj who is reportedly connected with a brokerage house in Mumbai stock exchange was seen with the Australian cricketers. Reverting to the last day's play, all the interest remaining in the match ended when Taylor's 159-ball innings was ended by Aamir Sohail. Taylor batted for 218 minutes and struck 11 boundaries.

And although 268 runs were scored in the day, there wasn't any real fireworks and anything to make the spectators to cheer about.

The graceful Mark Waugh continued his struggle on Pakistan wickets when he was finally bowled by Shoaib Akhtar for 43. His 78-ball innings was studded with four fours.

Together with his skipper, Waugh put on 103 runs for the third wicket in 125 minutes after Justin Langer had departed in the first session of play to evoke a ray of hope in Pakistan camp.

Langer, a first innings century-mark, was caught close to the wickets off Mushtaq Ahmad who shortly before had trapped Michael Slater right in front of the wickets.

Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting cashed in on the opportunity of some more batting practice before the third Test by chipping in with useful knocks.

Steve Waugh occupied the crease for little over two hours in which he faced 122 balls and converted four of them into boundaries in his unbeaten 49.

Ricky Ponting batted for 83 minutes for his 43 which came off 88 balls. His innings was studded with three fours. He fell to Ijaz Ahmad but looked unhappy with Steve Bucknor's decision as he threw away his bat in the dressing room and was heard yelling and shouting.

``It's disappointing that we didn't win here. But it's a good feeling to go in the final Test with 1-0 up. That means we can't lose the series,'' Taylor said.

Pakistan coach, Javed Miandad, said his team would go all-out at Karachi. ``You lose a series whether the margin is 1-0 or 2-0. We are in a must-win situation and will try everything to hold Australia to a 1-all draw.''