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India-Pak 1st Test ends in tame draw
Sehwag, Dravid missed the world record by just 4 runs, when Veeru succumbed to a short ball. Scorecard
As the play resumed after 5 hours of bad weather, on the final day of the first Test at Lahore, Indian fans waited with bated breath, looking forward to the setting of a new world record for an opening partnership with skipper Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag.
But they were in for a rude shock. Sehwag, who had ruled the Gaddafi Stadium for more than three days, finally succumbed.
Trying twice to attempt a cheeky shot by steering the ball over the slips cordon and missing it, he finally managed to touch it the third time. But third time proved unlucky for him.
Naved-ul-Rana jumped with glee, clearly not expecting such windfall. As did wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who pouched the catch.
Time stood still elsewhere though, as he slowly walked back to the pavillion. Despite his indiscretion, Veeru had clobbered the Pakistani bowling attack to fragments.
His stats of 254 runs in 247 balls with 47 fours and one towering six itself reveal the infliction of severe physical and mental pain he had made Inzamam endure.
Just three balls after his wicket, a dejected Dravid walked to the on-field umpire and conveyed the obvious message - there was no reason for play to go on.
Umpires promptly called off play with only 2.2 overs of action possible. Venkatsai Laxman, at the other end, faced just one delivery without opening his account.
The world record for the opening partnership set 50 years ago by Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy, who had put on 413 against Kiwis, still stands.
The only solace is that the top-two names on the list of world record, now belong to India.
With this Test drawn, Team India would feel satisfied with the way they batted.
Skipper Rahul Dravid who finished with 128 not out, however sounded cautious in the post-match interview.
He said the two teams shared the honours, as the placid pitch did not test the batsmen.
Asked whether he enjoyed his time out there with Sehwag, Dravid replied animatedly : "Veeru was doing all the scoring, I just held my end up. I won't be able to match his run-speed."
The battle is set to get hotter as the two teams go head-to-head in the second Test in Faisalabad from January 21.
