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We'll try to score 500-plus: Inzamam

The 35-year-old said he was dedicating his unbeaten 184-run knock to his father who has come to watch his son's momentous feat.

Updated on: Mar 25, 2005, 10:25:00 IST
PTI | By , Bangalore
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Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who on Thursday celebrated his 100th Test with a masterly 184 not out, said his team would not repeat the mistake of Kolkata Test when they let India off the hook after dominating the match for the first two days.

HT Image
HT Image

"We will try to score 500-plus," he told reporters after Pakistan ended the first day of the third and final Test at 323 for the loss of two wickets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Inzamam was batting on 184, only the fifth batsman in history to register a century in 100th Test, with vice-captain Younis Khan on 127.

Pakistan had been in a similarly strong position of 211 for two at close on the second day at Eden Gardens but then suffered a middle order collapse to concede the first innings lead and eventually the match.

The 35-year-old from Multan said he was dedicating his innings to his father Intazam-ul-Haq who has come from Pakistan to watch his son's momentous feat.

Expressing happiness about Pakistan's and his own performance on day one, Inzamam said the team would now look to consolidate the innings and look to post a huge total.

"I am very happy that my performance as well as the team's is good. We need to build on the advantage and utilise the opportunity to post a huge total," Inzamam said.

"I am also looking to stay at the wicket longer and get more runs."

He admitted that it was a crucial toss to win.

"It was a good wicket for batsmen. It was hard work for bowlers. The track might assist spinners after three days," he opined.

Rating Younis' knock better than his, Inzamam said the team needs such consistent performance.

He sought to downplay the exchange of words between Harbhajan and Younis in the middle, describing it as a mere conversation between the two.

Inzamam admitted that going into the crease when the team's score was just seven for the loss of two wickets was a pressure situation. "I just wanted to stay at the wicket and see off the new ball.

"It was also difficult batting in heat and pressure conditions. I had to take the help of physio and consume medicine."

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