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Balaji's big haul scuttles Pak for 312
India's bowlers, led by Balaji's maiden Test five-wicket haul, dominated the opening day. Player of the day | Full Score
Paceman Lakshmipathy Balaji marked his comeback to international cricket with a five-wicket haul as India ripped through an inexperienced batting line-up to seize the initiative on the opening day of the first cricket Test against arch-rivals Pakistan on Tuesday.
The visitors could have been pushed further on the back foot but for a gritty 91 by Asim Kamal who prevented the hosts from grabbing all the honours on an eventful opening day.
Captain Sourav Ganguly's gamble to put the opposition in to bat after winning the toss paid off to a great extent as the Indian bowlers exploited a helpful track to bundle out Pakistan for 312.
The left-handed Kamal played a responsible knock as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals but it was the defiant resistance by the Pakistani tail-enders which helped the team cross the 300-mark after being 239 for seven at one stage.
Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq (57) and Taufeeq Umar (44) were the other notable contributors for the visitors as the much-awaited three-Test series got underway in front of a sizeable and vociferous crowd which included thousands of Pakistanis.
Kamal maintained his solid batting record against India as he notched up his third half-century and steered his side to a far more comfortable total with tailender Mohammand Sami (20) giving him support.
Balaji, with five for 76, was sensational in his pace and accuracy, prompting Ganguly to hand him the second new ball to slice through the lower order.
The frailty of Pakistan batting was evident as the visitors lost their top five batsmen for 156 in less than two sessions.
Yousuf Youhana (6) and Abdul Razzaq (26) deserted their team in the hour of the need.
Youhana showed he had come nowhere near to coming to grip with Irfan Pathan's swinging deliveries as he misread the away movement and edged a catch to wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik.
Skipper Inzamam played forward but missed a straight delivery from Anil Kumble which terminated an excellent innings, spread over 159 minutes and 92 balls and including seven fours.
