India Sports News

Sachin Tendulkar, scored an unbeaten half-century as India registered a six-wicket win on the fifth and final day of the first Test against Pakistan here on Monday, and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Along with Tendulkar (56, 109 balls, 168 minutes, 9x4s), who hit the winning boundary off fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, V V S Laxman (6 not out, 13 balls, 18 minutes, 1x4) was at the crease when the victory was sealed at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium. Tendulkar, looked in ominous form from the start of the day as he middled the ball confidently. Continuing his previous day's form, he pulled Akhtar's first ball for a boundary. In the next over he played an almost identical shot for as many runs off Mohammed Sami. But Ganguly, at the other end, succumbed to his overnight score of 48 (64 balls, 8x4s) as he hooked Akhtar but top edged the ball. Sohail Tanvir at long leg took an easy catch.
Both Akhtar and Sami, relied heavily on bouncers and Tendulkar pulled the short balls most of the times. V V S Laxman, who preferred to leave the short-pitched deliveries alone, also struck a boundary off Sami. Tendulkar, looking aggressive, then reached his career's 46th half-century off a powerful cover drive off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria. The maestro sealed the win with another stinging four, a square cut off Akhtar, which gave India a 1-0 lead in the series.
Earlier Pakistan, won the toss and put 231 runs on board to which India replied with 276 and took a lead of 45 runs. Pakistan, in their second inning, made 247 and India scored the 203 necessary for the loss of four wickets.
India's last Test win against Pakistan had come in March 2005, when they won the second match to take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, which was eventually drawn 1-1. Pakistan, have not lost a Test series in India for last 28 years. Their previous defeat was in 1979 under the captaincy of Asif Iqbal.(IANS)
Source:- Sport News