Saqlain bags eight but
Pakistan struggle

Off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq bagged a career-best 8-164 but it was not enough to take the pressure off Pakistan's batsmen on day three of the first Test against England in Lahore Friday.

Pakistan ended at 119-2 in reply to England's 440-8 declared and need another 162 runs to avoid the follow on.

Salim Elahi was on 15 and Inzamam-ul-Haq 11 when bad light forced the players off the field eight overs before schedule.

Pakistan will need some responsible batting on the fourth day to avoid disaster and salvage a draw.

Pakistan raced to a solid start with Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi looking in good touch. Anwar hit four well timed boundaries in his 40 before falling leg before to part-time spinner Graeme Hick in the last over before tea, leaving Pakistan at 63-1 at the break.

Afridi played in his usual cavalier style, hitting six fours and a six off Hick to reach his third half century off in just 61 balls.

But with the score at 101, Afridi played a shot too many and was caught at long off by Darren Gough off left armer Ashley Giles.

In the morning Saqlain grabbed 8-164 in a marathon bowling stint of 74 overs. But England's tail enders added 87 runs in the session, with an eighth-wicket partnership between Ashley Giles and Ian Salisbury worth 70.

Giles remained not out with a hard-earned 37.

"It was tough to bowl on this pitch and I did my best for Pakistan. Getting all 10 wickets would have been historic," Saqlain said.

"I usually do not bother about records but getting eight wickets is no mean achievement.

"The record did come to my mind on the third day but it was not destined for me -- I am still happy that I did well," he said, adding that he was not frustrated when England declared. Saqlain's previous best figures of 6-46 were recorded against Australia at Hobart last year. Only two bowlers, Jim Laker of England and Anil Kumble of India, have taken 10 wickets in a Test innings.

Resuming at 393-6, Craig White was just seven runs short of his maiden Test century in the fourth over of the day when Saqlain forced an edge to Yousuf Youhanna at forward short leg. White, who along with Graham Thorpe helped save England's innings on the second day, hit nine fours and two sixes in his career-best innings lasting 290 minutes. Graham Thorpe top scored with 118 for England, supported by Michael Atheron (73) and Marcus Trescothick (71).

Meanwhile, the England management said captain Nasser Hussain had a scan of his back which found general wear and tear but nothing serious.

Scoreboard

England (1st innings): (overnight 393-6)
M Atherton c Yousuf Youhana b Saqlain Mushtaq 73
M.Trescothick c Salim Elahi b Saqlain Mushtaq 71
G.Thorpe c&b Saqlain Mushtaq 118
A.Stewart lbw b Saqlain Mushtaq 3
N.Hussain c Wasim Akram b Saqlain Mushtaq 7
G.Hick lbw b Saqlain Mushtaq 16
C.White c Yousuf Youhana b Saqlain Mushtaq 93
I. Salisbury lbw b Saqlain Mushtaq 31
A. Giles not out 37
A. Caddick not out 5
Extras (b-3 lb-13 nb-10) 26
Total (for eight wickets declared, 196 overs): 480
Did not bat: Darren Gough
Fall of wickets: 1-134, 2-169, 3-173, 4-183, 5-225, 6-391, 7-398, 8-468.
Bowling: Wasim Akram 22-8-40-0 (nb4), Abdur Razzaq 22-6-55-0 (nb2), Saqlain Mushtaq 74-20-164-8 (nb3), Mushtaq Ahmed 44-6-132-0 (nb1), Shahid Afridi 18-6-38-0, Qaiser Abbas 16-3-35-0

Pakistan (1st innings):
Saeed Anwar lbw b Hick 40
Shahid Afridi c Gough b Giles 52
Salim Elahi not out 15
Inzamam-ul-Haq not out 11
Extras: (lb-1) 1
Total: (for two wickets, 40 overs) 119

Mail Cricket Editor