Sign in

I can spin Pakistan to victory: Kaneria

"The fifth day is always for spinners. I believe I can do the job and the team have belief in me," the 24-year-old leg-spinner from Karachi said.

Updated on: Mar 28, 2005, 11:09:00 IST
PTI | By , Bangalore
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria believes he can bowl Pakistan to a series-levelling win in the third and final cricket Test against India.

HT Image
HT Image

The hosts, 25 without loss at the close on Sunday, need another 358 to win the match on a fifth-day wicket with rough patches on the leg side that Kaneria can exploit.

"I'll give my 101 per cent," the 24-year-old told reporters. "If I can deliver, I'll be the happiest man."

Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq made a bold declaration with Pakistan 382 ahead, leaving the match open for both teams and setting up a scintillating last day at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

His decision would have sprung from his faith in Kaneria.

"The fifth day is always for spinners," Kaneria said. "I believe I can do the job and the team have belief in me."

Kaneria completed his 10th five-wicket haul earlier in the day, finishing with five for 127 as India were bowled out for 449 to set up Pakistan's second innings onslaught.

"The wicket is a slow turner, it's not easy to bowl on it," he said.

"But I wanted to make up for my failure in Kolkata, where I didn't bowl too well because of dehydration. I was eager to set things right."

The bowler from Karachi had grabbed six Indian wickets in the first innings of the first drawn Test in Mohali, but looked way below his best in Kolkata, where the hosts won by 195 runs to take a 1-0 series lead.

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.