Pakistan are just inches away from defeat. In fact, India could have performed the final rites on Sunday itself, hadn’t it been for bad light.
“Celebrations can wait,” said Wasim Jaffer who, with an impressive 53, played a pivotal role in Indian run chase. “Rahul (Dravid) and my partnership clicked today,” he added.
The duo put on 84 runs for the second wicket, before Jaffer was sent home by Shoaib Akhtar. “It was a good catch (by Salman Butt). But I would have been happy had I stayed longer.”
On his opening partner Dinesh Karthik, who made just one, Jaffer said: “I am sure he will come back to form.”
On Sourav Ganguly who was unbeaten on 48 at stumps, he said, “He is in excellent form and we want him to carry on tomorrow.”
Jaffer who had dropped Misbah-ul-Haq on Saturday, added: “I was hoping he doesn’t score much (after that dropped catch).”
On what the skipper Anil Kumble advised the two openers when they came out to bat, Jaffer said, “He just told us to think positive.”
Jaffer also termed the skipper’s decision of taking the new ball in the middle of Ganguly’s over as ‘very practical’. Ganguly dismissed Misbah off the very next delivery. “I don’t know what was going on in his mind but it was a very practical move. It was the turning point in the match today.”
{{/usCountry}}Jaffer also termed the skipper’s decision of taking the new ball in the middle of Ganguly’s over as ‘very practical’. Ganguly dismissed Misbah off the very next delivery. “I don’t know what was going on in his mind but it was a very practical move. It was the turning point in the match today.”
{{/usCountry}}Pakistan paceman Sohail Tanvir said they could come back in the series. “If we lose one match, it doesn’t mean we will lose the series.”
So was he satisfied with his performance on debut? “I don’t think anyone should be satisfied with the way they perform, for if they do that, then, there would be no room for improvement.”
Asked whether Pakistan were a spinner short, Tanvir said, “I don’t think so. I was not getting much help from the pitch, so I decided to contain (the run flow). I think Kamran bhai’s dismissal and my wicket was the turning point of the match. We lost two quick wickets,” he said.
Asked whether he was overawed by Sachin Tendulkar’s presence, he said, “I don’t come under pressure against anyone. When you have the ball in your hand, you are the best.”