Hobart, Nov 22: Cricket is the most perverse of games predicted atperil

A. Jalil23-Nov-1999Hobart, Nov 22: Cricket is the most perverse of games predicted atperil. Australia’s triumph in the second Test was as preposterous asit was unlikely. Pakistan somehow contrived to defy the odds that werestacked in their favour and let a match slip away that should havebeen sewnup hours before their humiliating defeat had been inflicted.It was utterly inexplicable that a side regarded to possess the mostpotent bowling attack should emerge from nearly three and a halfhour’s work without having made a strong enough impression on theopposition. It was a tense and demanding day and Pakistan foundthemselves so close and yet so far away from taking the spoils.All they required was one wicket that stood between them and the clearopportunity of knocking over the tailenders. In fairness it has to besaid, however, that the two men who denied Pakistan the chance offorcing a victory, had put up a batting display as meritorious as oneis likely to encounter anywhere.Pakistan’s captain, Wasim Akram kept bringing the changes, switchingends for his bowlers and using all the usual options available. Thebowling had not at any stage become as wayward as on the second day ofthis Test when Australia were comfortably cruising along to 191 for 1with Michael Slater and Justin Langer in a fine partnership.Today it was nonetheless, unfortunate that when Pakistan did on therare occasion get through the defences of Adam Gilchrist and JustinLanger, they were denied the wickets. Shortly after Pakistan hadtaken the new ball, Justin Langer, on 76, appeared clearly to havesnicked one to wicket-keeper Moin Khan off Wasim Akram but ‘home’umpire Parker ruled that not out. Australia’s total then was 5 for237, chasing 369. A decision such as that and in such circumstances ofa vitally important. Test match can break the spirit of a team.Pakistan battled on and the two batsmen kept showing their equality towhatever the bowlers could put their way. They were also quick topounce on anything loose in the slightest. While Langer picked up runsmore steadily during his 127 which spanned over seven hours, half ofwhich he spent at the crease today, Gilchrist was more adventurous inhis choice of shots. That is not to say he took risks, he was no lessfocused to Australia’s cause than his more experienced partner.It took him only 110 balls to reach his maiden Test century, thesecond fifty of which came rapidly from only 38 balls. It wasinteresting to note that it was the second fastest maiden Test centuryby an Australian, behind Ray Lindwall’s, from 88 balls, in 1947 inMelbourne.However, he too survived when it looked he should have been making hisway to the pavilion. That was another blow that Pakistan had toendure. On his score of 107 and the total 290 for 5, an appeal for legbefore wicket from a ball from Saqlain Mushtaq was turned down byumpire Parker. The ball had hit Gilchrist on the front foot, under theroll of the pad and he was covering middle and leg stump. Australia atthis point were 79 behind and at the time of the earlier incident withLanger they were as many as 132 behind.It has to be noted that in the first innings. Langer was given out fora catch at silly point, off Saqlain, by umpire Parker, a decision thatappeared to be doubtful at the time. The next day umpire Parker tookthe unusual step of apologising to Langer for giving him out. Heapproached Langer and admitted that he had made an error. Yesterday byhis vital decision of ruling Langer ‘not out’ he had made amends in nouncertain terms. This is the same umpire who is remembered for onceallowing an eleven-ball over to be bowled in a one-day match inAustralia.Credit, however, must be given to Australia’s two heroes, Langer andGilchrist, for their magnificent fight back and showing once againAustralia’s never-say-die attitude. They put great pressure onPakistan’s bowlers as the scoreboard kept ticking over.The bowling and fielding got ragged at times and the concentration waswavering. With each run Pakistan’s chances of victory in the Test andof at least, saving the series kept fading. While the tension wasrising among the Pakistan players, the two batsmen were getting morerelaxed as they approached their target.Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed was, however, magnanimous in defeatand made no excuses. Although obviously disappointed, he did not harpon the vital umpiring errors. Speaking to Dawn exclusively, hepraised the Australian batting: “That was a great partnership. Theyput up the third highest total in the world to reach a winning targetand the highest within Australia”. He has kept the morale and spiritof the Pakistan team high as they re-group for the third Test in Perthon Friday