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Sabina Park, Jamaica witnessed its final winner
before the ground undergoes a a major makeover and a
new structure built with the upcoming World Cup in
mind. Pakistan managed to stage a comeback and level
the two-Test series despite conceding a thirty run
lead in the first innings.
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A parting gift for 'Shep' from the Man of the
Series. |
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Even as doubts were being raised about the relative
safety of Pakistan's second innings score of 309,
which gave their opponents a target of 280, the
visitors turned the match their way towards the fag
end of the fourth day's play. Pakistan's chances of
squaring the series were enhanced by some 'power'
hitting from Shahid Afridi in the steady company of
his skipper Inzamam-Ul Haq. When Afridi did
eventually depart for a breezy forty-three, Pakistan
had still come way to go at 267 for five, but Tino
Best chipped in with four wickets to pull things
back for the West Indies. Trust Inzamam-ul-Haq to
thrive in such situations. The Pakistani captain
survived a caught-behind chance off a no-ball off
Reon King, but eventually reached a century. His 117
proved to be a match-winning effort. |
If Lara's 153 allowed the West Indies to nose
ahead in the first innings, there proved to be no
batsman in sight to press matters in the second
innings. And this despite a lengthy delay for bad
light and rain, which the hosts failed to capitalise
on and draw the game. The hosts lost Chris Gayle
early, to a rather nonchalant slip catch with the
scoreboard reading twenty-seven. The situation became
more grave as Ramnaresh Sarwan's imbalance meant a
hit wicket and Danesh Kaneria struck once more when
Lara played one down the legside only to be caught by
Kamran Akmal for a ignominious duck. West Indies were
now struggling at forty-eight for three.
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There was more despair to come before the day ended
as Shivnarine Chanderpaul was rather dubiously
adjudged lbw on nought by outgoing umpire David
Shepherd. Opener Dwayne Smith, who held fort with
forty-nine to his name, succumbed to the pressure
and Kaneria was back in business with four wickets
against his tally. Abdur Razzaq chipped in with the
wicket of Wavell Hinds to leave the West Indies
tottering at 117 for six when bad light brought an
end to the fourth day's play and the agony for the
spectators.
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It was a short affair on the morning of the fifth and final day of the Test and the series. Shabbir Ahmed snared three wickets and Danish Kaneria managed to bag one more to take his tally of wickets in the second innings to five. The West Indies innings folded for 143 with neither Darren Powell nor Courtney Browne managing to delay the inevitable.
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Pakistan were delighted to have settled scores and Inzamam-Ul Haq would have been a relieved man. Danesh Kaneria was declared 'Man of the Match'. For the hosts, there was brief consolation in the fact that Brian Lara was adjudged 'Man of the Series.' For David Shepherd, it was an emotional adieu after standing in no less than ninety-two Tests. With Lara warmly hugging the much loved umpire and presenting him with a bat that stated, "Thank you for the memories.enjoy your retirement", it felt much like a day when the game did not just only one victor. It was a day when the game itself had won, touching the hearts of one and all.
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