Pakistan made a bold attempt to chase a stiff 422-run target for victory in the second Test against a Rahul Dravid-inspired India at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Shahid Afridi smashed a run-a-ball 59 and Taufeeq Umar an unbeaten 29 as Pakistan reached 95/1 at stumps on the fourth day. Younis Khan had yet to score.
Dravid, 32, earlier completed a century in each innings of a Test as India posted 407/9 declared on top of a first innings lead of 14.
The stage is set for an exciting final day on Sunday. Pakistan now need 327 more runs in 90 overs on a slow turning track where the odd ball kept a little low.
Only three teams — the West Indies (2003), India (1976) and Australia (1948) — have so far scored more than 400 in the fourth innings to win a Test in the history of the game.
Afridi hit two sixes and nine fours to give his team a brisk start, putting on 93 for the opening wicket with Umar.
India heaved a sigh of relief when Afridi was caught by Sourav Ganguly at fine leg while trying to sweep leg-spinner Anil Kumble in the penultimate over of the day.
The hosts were indebted to Dravid for setting a challenging target as the stylish batsman followed his first innings 110 with a chanceless 135.
{{/usCountry}}The hosts were indebted to Dravid for setting a challenging target as the stylish batsman followed his first innings 110 with a chanceless 135.
{{/usCountry}}This was only the sixth instance in Indian cricket that a batsman had scored a hundred in each innings of a match. Sunil Gavaskar did it three times, Dravid twice and Vijay Hazare once.
Dravid's 20th Test hundred in 88 matches came just when his team needed a long innings.
India were in trouble in the morning but Dravid came to the rescue with a 165-run stand for the fifth wicket with young Dinesh Karthik, who cracked a career-best 93.