A little corner was turned - Lara
'This match could be used as a template for us because we played 15 hard sessions of cricket. And that is needed for any team to draw or win a match', said Lara
Osman Samiuddin in Multan
23-Nov-2006
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For a side that has lost 16 of its last 25 Tests, a draw is something to
grasp onto. Pakistan may have held on to draw the second Test at Multan,
but it will be West Indies who leave the city with jaunty strides.
Home advantage had long ceased to matter but it is away from the Caribbean where
problems have been particularly acute, just one draw in the last 13 and
the rest losses. Through that prism, this result - and particularly the
manner of it - was understandably viewed by Brian Lara as significant. A four-day drubbing in Lahore only last week made it more so. "After
Lahore, maybe a little corner was turned," said Lara. "This match could be used as a
template for us because we played 15 hard sessions of cricket. And that is
needed for any team to draw or win a match."
Until the final sessions, in fact, West Indies dominated the Test. Had a
couple of tight decisions gone their way and two chances held on the last
day, including one off Mohammad Yousuf who went on to make 191, a famous
result was in hand. "The dropped catches were disappointing and it is
something that we have to work on," Lara admitted. "The old saying that
catches win matches is true and we did not take the chances that were
presented to us. We have to work on that before the next Test and it is
even more important because the World Cup is about to happen and fielding plays a very important role in ODI cricket."
The dropped catches, in particular, would have been doubly annoying
because opportunities for bowlers were few and far between on this
surface. Though this was only the first draw (in five Tests) on this
ground, Multan's reputation for offering batsmen runs is already
enshrined; it was here Virender Sehwag made his famous triple-century,
Sachin Tendulkar an unbeaten 194 and last year Marcus Trescothick added
192.
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On all five days, wickets fell in bunches during the morning session,
after which the track flattened out and Lara was keen that the surface in
Karachi, venue for the final Test from November 27, offers more to
bowlers. "This was a batting track from day one. The bowlers toiled and
found success on it which was a very good performance but it was difficult after the first
20-25 overs of the new ball and the morning freshness.
That period was a major factor in the game and after lunch, for the
remainder of the day, it became easier to bat. I don't think the pitch is
a real test of skill. Batters had it far easier than bowlers and we should
see pitches that offer more of a test to batsmen. Hopefully we can see
that in Karachi."
If one is to be found, then more success may await Jerome Taylor, Corey
Collymore and Daren Powell. The three threatened through the day and
though a win wasn't the sum, Lara recognized their tireless efforts. "The
bowling of Taylor, Collymore and even Powell were highlights for us. They
bowled really, really well. It was always going to be tough playing
against a team that was playing for the draw. The luck didn't go with us
and there were a few dropped chances but I can't fault the bowlers for
their efforts at all.
"I can't fault any of the guys for the effort at all. I am very, very
proud of them. The performances were exceptionally good after playing in
Lahore; after spending the fifth day in Lahore practicing, we were pushing
for a win here. So I am optimistic about our chances in Karachi."
When a local reporter asked him whether he would visit again, Lara joked
that it was unlikely: "It's tough. Are there any beaches here for beach
cricket?" And even though this won't be remembered as the most thrilling
of draws, in time to come the tourists might hope to remember Multan as a
turning point in their fortunes.
Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo