da apostebet： Pakistan equalled the world record of five centuries in an innings asthe home batsmen continued to enjoy the run feast in the Asian TestChampionship opener against minnows Bangladesh at the Multan CricketStadium Thursday
Samiul Hasan31-Aug-2001Pakistan equalled the world record of five centuries in an innings asthe home batsmen continued to enjoy the run feast in the Asian TestChampionship opener against minnows Bangladesh at the Multan CricketStadium Thursday.Centuries by Saeed Anwar (101), debutant Taufiq Umer (104), Inzamamul-Haq (105), Yousuf Youhana (102) and Abdur Razzaq (110) carriedPakistan from an overnight 219 for two to 546 for three declared inreply to Bangladesh’s modest 134.Bangladesh, left to play for pride after trailing the home team by 412runs on first innings, had limped to 55 for three when curtains weredrawn for the second day’s play.Pakistan secured maximum batting (four) and bowling (four) pointsawarded on the first 100 overs of the first innings while Bangladeshfailed to get any. An expected victory by an innings would earnPakistan 16 more points.Pakistan equalled Australia’s 46-year-old record when five of theirbatsmen scored centuries in the 1954-55 Test against the West Indiesat Kingston, Jamaica. Had Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis not declaredimmediately after the 27-year-old Youhana guided Mohammad Shariftowards third man boundary to bring up his seventh century in 34thTest, Pakistan might have gone on to establish a new record.Around 15,000 festive and appreciative spectators had their moneyworth when they were thoroughly entertained by high quality andruthless batting display by the elegant Pakistanis against apedestrian, inexperienced and mediocre Bangladesh bowling resources.However, local hero Inzamam was not that fortunate when he had toretire hurt because of dehydration a ball after completing his 15thTest century in 75th Test.But Inzamam’s return to the dressing room piled up more agony on thetourists as Abdur Razzaq virtually blew them away with a whirlwindunbeaten century. The batting all-rounder scored 110 off 100 ballswith 16 boundaries and three sixes during his 124-minute vigil at thecrease.Razzaq, who came when Youhana was batting on 60, raced to 70 againstYouhana’s 77 at tea in Pakistan’s 478 for three before registering hissecond career century off 92 balls with 14 boundaries and three sixes.It was the second quickest century by a Pakistani after Majid Khanwhipped a 74-ball century before lunch against New Zealand at Karachiin 1976-77. Sir Vivian Richards holds the record for quickest centurywhen he reached three figures off just 56 balls against England at StJohn’s in 1985-86.Youhana was as elegant as ever and remained cool and composed despitewatching Razzaq murder the Bangladesh bowlers from the other end. Hisinnings contained 13 exquisitely timed boundaries from 154 balls facedduring 220 minutes of batting.Youhana and Razzaq added 165 runs in 124 minutes after the former andInzamam had put on 123 in 116 minutes. Inzamam and Taufiq Umer put on80 in 88 minutes for the third wicket.Inzamam, the 31-year-old burly right-hander, fulfilled his promise ofenthralling his home crowd when he laced his 105-ball innings with 15boundaries and a six. Inzamam now has century against every countryexcept South Africa and India.Interestingly, it was Inzamam’s fourth century only on home turf. Theother notable point is that 11 of his centuries have come in thecrucial first innings while eight centuries have helped Pakistan winTests.On a record-breaking day, Taufiq Umer became the eighth Pakistanbatsman after Khalid Ibadullah, Javed Miandad, Salim Malik, MohammadWasim, Ali Naqvi, Azhar Mahmood and Younis Khan to score century ondebut. He had started the day at 77 and was the only Pakistan wicketto fall when he was caught at the wicket after an attractive 104.Taufiq, the 20-year-old from Lahore, now has five first-classcenturies in 33 matches. He batted for 231 minutes and punctuated 15boundaries in his 163-ball innings.Taufiq showed excellent temperament, concentration and showed no signsof nervousness when he stayed in the 90s for 19 balls, including 13balls on 96. Unfortunately, his brilliant effort fell in thebackground after Pakistan stroke-makers went on a run-scoring spree.