After a prolonged wait of 27 years, India clinched a home series over Pakistan 1-0 on a dramatic evening, that witnessed a bright spell from Anil Kumble blighted by a dark cloud cover. Having lost seven wickets for a paltry 162, Pakistan found a bright spot amidst the literal pall of gloom to escape from playing out the remaining 12 overs.With that said, the final match of the three-Test rubber at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here was drawn, after the home team declared their second innings to set Pakistan a target of 374 in 48 overs. As India resumed their second innings from an overnight score of 131 and declared at 284/5 an hour after lunch, a tame draw seemed inevitable for most part of the day. Being aware of the arduous task ahead on a crumbling pitch, Pakistan’s openers went on the defensive to save wickets till Anil Kumble pitchforked himself into the attack to run through their top order.
On a fifth-day strip that hardly offered any spin, bounce or pace, Kumble bowled straight with a little bit of added pace. He was rewarded sooner than he expected, as a quick delivery in his third over bowled Yasir Hameed on 39. It was the beginning of a collapse, with skipper Younis Khan the next man to depart in another two balls of the same over. Kumble took a return catch to dismiss Younis, who tried playing an on-drive, misjudging the delivery.
Faisal Iqbal threatened for a while with a dogged 29-run partnership between him and Salman Butt and a free flowing association with Misbah-ul Haq. A miscue from Iqbal off a pitched up delivery from Kumble ended his stay, after he reached his 50. Kumble removed Butt with a slight variation in length and Dinesh Karthik pouched the edge with alacrity.
The chances for an Indian victory brightened when Kumble returned with a vengeance to deceive Kamran Akmal with his very next delivery to dislodge his off stump.
Then inspired Yuvraj took a leaf out of his skipper’s book and got the wickets of Misbah and Yasir Arafat, to leave Pakistan stranded perilously at 164/7. The birthday boy got the man of the match award for his brilliant 169 in the first innings, besides picking up the crucial wicket of Misbah.
